Conservation significance of Changaram wetlands - a key wintering site for migratory shorebirds and other waterbirds in the western coast of Kerala, India

Changaram wetland is an important stopover ground for migratory shorebirds, gulls, terns, and other waterbirds in the western coast of Kerala it encompasses major habitats like exposed mudflats, mangrove fringes, agroecosystem. A total 77 species (shorebirds, large wading birds, terns) including long distance migrants, local resident were encountered our survey carried out during 2018 2019. Ten these fall under threatened category IUCN Red List hence wetlands demand immediate attention from conservation perspective. Considering tremendous anthropogenic pressures faced by wetlands, decline abundance waterbirds, a regular system monitoring bird population must be deployed ecosystem birds.