The fish in the more than 70 tanks in the bird sanctuary spread over 722.9 acres is the food for these birds. This time, however, scarcity of water could pose a problem. Villagers are demanding that water should be pumped into the Bellur tank from Shimsha river.

What has come as a dampener to lovers of birds is the fact that the numbers have seen a downslide this year, due to untimely rains and snowfall. Wildlife Protection Officer Srivatsa, is of the feeling that the planned ‘community protected bird sanctuary’ will develop Kokkare Bellur. While the villagers are alleging that the project will lead to their eviction from the sanctuary area, the forest department has assured the villagers that they will not be evicted.

Villagers say that the project doesn’t envisage the protection of the tanks or growing trees, and it is only aimed at making money