Based on the conservation values, economic potentialities and cultural significance, wetlands have to be classified to form a protected area network at par with the Protected Area Network now available for the forests and wildlife. Intensive management or management of any sort, if necessary, should be decided based on the type and ecological status of the particular wetland.

Assessment, monitoring and identifying mitigation measures are warranted where the wetlands are affected by various anthropogenic activities. Industrial effluents, agricultural run-off loaded with pesticides, large scale fishing, grazing, construction of hydro-electric dams across feeder canals, diversion of water for irrigation, filling up and reclamation for various purposes and suchlike activities affect not only the biodiversity of the wetlands, but the entire ecology of the area. Therefore, concerted efforts need to be taken to document these and suggest mitigation measures.

The experience gained from the 10-year old study in Bharatpur, proves beyond doubt that wetland resources could be utilized without compromising its conservation values. It is proposed that representative wetlands from different biogeographic zones should be identified for intensive, multi-disciplinary, integrated studies to understand the system. Based on the information thus gathered, biodiversity conservation programme may be drawn up, keeping birds as the target species. Resources that could be utilized sustainably without damaging the conservation values of the system may be identified and a programme for harvesting and managing chalked out and implemented with the full involvement of local community, panchayat, NGOs, and agricultural, forest, fisheries and other related departments of the state/central government. The role of SACON will be confined to the studies on biodiversity and later as a catalyst to implement and monitor the programme.

Creation of a cadre of trained persons to manage the wetland is one of the greater needs of the hour, as wetland management is totally different from forest management. A regular short-term course is to be conducted for the managers and students. SACON with its present expertise is well equipped in conducting the same.

Decline of the insectivorous birds and birds of prey has been commonly reported and experienced in many parts of the country. Populations of even the drongos, bee-eaters and Baya have plummeted drastically in recent years. In some places, the beautiful tubular nests of Baya have become totally absent. Often, the blame goes to the tones of pesticides and fertilizers used in the agriculture crops. Population of Sarus Crane is on the decline in most part of its range. The Pallas' Fishing Eagle has not been breeding at Keoladeo National Park for the last several years. Similarly, the Lesser Fishing Eagle in Corbett National Park has been unsuccessful in breeding for the last five years.

Realizing the increased threats to birds from the pesticides and industrial effluents, the SACON has launched an "All India coordinated project on monitoring environmental contaminants in Indian Avifauna". (For details see 'A plea for conservation of Indian Avifauna' by Dr. S. Muralidharan).

Impact of chemical pollutants on metabolism and reproductive success of birds is an area where we will be taking up projects immediately.

Other areas of research envisaged are: (1) accumulation of pesticides and heavy metals in the ecosystem, (2) presence of heavy metals in birds living in pollution free natural habitat to serve as baseline data for comparison and (3) impact of air pollution on birds.

Of late, with the increasing demands for 'development projects' and the equally or more increasing concern over the biodiversity conservation, the role of Environmental Impact Assessment has become more pertinent than ever. We propose studies in the following lines:

SACON is in an enviable position with its currently available expertise to make studies on the impact of any project (industries, mines, power plants, hydro-electric projects and pipelines) on the flora, fauna (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, aquatic organisms) and ecology of the area. While the expertise available in the ecotoxicology and environmental sciences enables it to take up EIA on industries or any chemical factories, the specialists in all major aspects of natural history, ecology and remote sensing that SACON possess make it easier for any comprehensive EIA. For a list of completed EIA projects Click here

Information on the state of environment, especially the level of atmospheric and water pollution, in the Protected Areas need to be gathered and monitored on priority. Protected Areas, which are vulnerable, need to be studied first.

Time has come to take up some of the existing hydro-electric projects (which have caused considerable loss to the flora and fauna during the construction) and make intensive study on the impact on the local ecology, flora, fauna, and the socio-economic fabric. Such studies are to be conducted in different regions, the results of which would be of immense value while planning future projects. Mitigating measures also could be suggested

Decline or disappearance of some species, usually raptors, has been considered as an indicator of the deteriorating health of the ecosystem. Biomarkers would provide a more useful hint much before the population starts plummeting. Therefore, corrective measures could be taken up. Projects to identify both bio-indicator and biomarker for different habitats and ecosystems would be taken up.

Rapid evaluation of biological resources is one of the major requirements for conducting EIAs, which are all time bound projects. A practicable and robust methodology will have to be worked out for the same.

Species relationship to the system and the intricacies of the system have to be unraveled and studied for any meaningful long-term conservation programme. Modelling and simulation have enormous scope in this direction. This section would work basically with the data collected by other divisions assuming itself a supportive role.

SACON intends to intensify its nature education programmes for the school children in the coming years. A Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC) has been envisaged for this purpose. Children will be taken to this centre at Anaikatty and explained the various facets of ecology with the help of models and diagrams . Nature walk will be conducted through forests regularly, explaining the various natural phenomena and identifying various plants, birds and animals.

Short-term courses for teachers of schools and colleges will be conducted as trainer's training programme. Special programmes for foresters, wildlife and wetland managers will also be conducted.

SACON has already got affiliated to the Bharathiar University and five students have completed their Ph.D. under the guidance of our faculty. Three students are currently in the process of completing their work for the doctoral thesis.

It is expected that SACON would begin its post-graduate course in Ornithology and Wildlife by the beginning of 2002. The syllabus for the same is being prepared.
We do expect comments and suggestions from our well-wishers in Prioritization of the research projects.