Finally,a study to track where these come from

In the 1980,a flamingo had been found bearing a Russian tag,the expert said.

Balachandran will work on the upcoming study,a proposal for which was submitted to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests last year. BNHS officials say they expect it to be cleared soon.

The study,which the BNHS hopes to initiate by the end of the year,will primarily observe two key nesting sites in India,Point Calimere in Tamil Nadu and the Rann of Kutch. “At both sites,we plan to affix satellite platform terminal transmitters (PTTs) on at least eight to 10 flamingoes,which will then relay constant satellite signals on the day-to-day movement of the birds. The transmitters are expensive at Rs 2.5 lakh each and we are now seeking sponsors to help with the study,” said Balachandran,who last year inaugurated the BNHS Bird Migration Study Centre in Point Calimere.

BNHS officials said the study will involve catching wild flamingoes with noose traps and mesh nets and using a ribbon to attach solar-powered transmitters dorsally (backpack). Messages will be transmitted to a central computer at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and will be monitored every two hours.

“The PTTs come in weights of 9.5,12,18,22 and 30 grams. Once these are attached,the birds will not be hassled. These will give the exact position of the birds. We have earlier done similar studies on migratory ducks and geese and tracked their journey from South India all the way to China,” said P Sathiya Selvam,a junior scientist in Dr Balachandran’s team.

Over the years,several organisations in Mumbai have attempted to conduct similar studies on a smaller scale,but have fallen short of funding.