The Lakshadweep Administration has launched the ‘Pilot project on Biological Control of Rodents (Rats)’.
- Under this project Barn Owls (Tyto alba) are being used in Kavaratti Island’ after studies revealed the shocking extent of damage caused by rats to the island’s coconut yield and economy.
- Three pairs of barn owls were shipped to the Lakshadweep Islands from Kerala in 2019. Now they have apparently proven such skilful slayers of pesky rats which have been ravaging the coconut plantations that the Union Territory is hoping to recruit more of the “winged assassins”.
- According to a recent report by the Departments of Agriculture, and Environment and Forest, Lakshadweep, and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra under the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, initial data shows that the owls are working wonders.
- Now authorities are thinking to expand the project by recruiting more barn owls to “guard” the coconut plantations. It also plans to extend the project to other islands in the archipelago.
- The barn owl population in Kavaratti has also increased with the hatching of several owlets.
- The islands have no other natural predators of rodents. Using chemical agents is impossible since Lakshadweep practises organic agriculture.
About Barn Owls
- Barn Owls (Tyto alba) are one of the most widespread owls in the Indian Subcontinent.
- The word Tyto has been derived from the Greek word ‘tuto’, meaning night which explains its nocturnal nature, and the word alba,which corresponds to its white or dull white colour.
- Barn owls are predominantly nocturnal by nature and are more often heard than seen.
- The Barn Owl mostly hunts small mammals, especially rodents (hence it’s called the ‘farmer’s friend’).
(Source: The Hindu)
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