Birds No Longer in the Bushes: BNHS Survey Indicates Natural Habitats In Threat of Extinction
Birds No Longer in the Bushes: BNHS Survey Indicates Natural Habitats In Threat of Extinction
The bird is no longer in the bushes as natural habitats of these winged creatures is in serious danger of being lost forever, according to a study conducted by Bombay Natural History Society( BNHS) recently released in the later weeks of November 2014. The study showed that some of the most threatened habitats in India are among the 10 most important Bird and Biodiversity Areas(IBAs) facing serious threat.
IBAs Under Threat
The study showed that IBAs include the famous and noted Flamingo City of Kutch as well as the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary in Solapur-Ahmednagar and Sewri-Mahul Creek in Maharashtra are facing the threat of extinction. Flamingo City is currently the only breeding ground of the migratory bird in great numbers in Asia.
The other area under threat is the home of the endangered Great Indian Bustard, the population of which has fallen from 27 in 2006 to 3 in 2013.
Other bird habitats in danger of loss of tree and forest cover include the following:
• Ratlam, MP: Sailana harmor Sanctuary
• Andaman-Nicobar: Tillangchong
• Shivpuri, MP: Dihaila Jhell and Karera Wildlife Sanctary
• Gurgaon, Haryana: Basai
• Dhar, MP: Sardapur Florican Sanctuary
• Karnataka, Haveri: Ranebennur
Causes for the Threat
The BNHS study showed there are many other IBAs not on this list which are threatened by many types of human interference and activities which are unsustainable.
The study listed the following reasons why the habitats are facing the threat of extinction:
• destruction or disturbance due to infrastructure development,
• wrong anti-people conservation policies,
• indiscriminate livestock grazing,
• industrial and sewage pollution,
• indiscriminate agricultural expansion (use of pesticides),
• rapid urbanisation and
• poaching.
These wetlands are seriously under threat and the migratory bird count here is rapidly falling because humans have encroached on natural habitats.
Various species and habitats across the country are threatened due to unsustained development followed for many years. Rapid urbanisation and loss of natural habitats will upset the natural balance. Numerous water bodies in northern states such as Haryana and UP which used to attract migratory birds have also dried up, further threatening the species of winged creatures, says the study.
Birds Under Threat
In the Basai Wetland, many threatened species of birds are present including:
Marbled Teal/Marmaronetta angustirostris
Sarus Crane/Grus antigone
Black-necked Stork/Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
Ferruginous Pochard/Aythya nyroca, and
Asian Dowitcher/Limnodromus semipalmatus.
"Flamingos and Common Crane, which were once commonly sighted in this wetland, have declined in numbers. Also, the population of the state bird of Haryana, the Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus), has reduced owing to unfavourable alterations in its habitat," the BNHS survey report also added.
10 Areas Under Threat
10 Bird and Biodiversity areas under threat are:
1. Flamingo City, Kachchh in Gujarat,
2. Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, Solapur/Ahmednagar in Maharashtra,
3. Sewri-Mahul Creek, Mumbai in Maharashtra,
4. Sailana Kharmor Sanctuary, Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh,
5. Tillangchong in Andaman-Nicobar,
6. Dihaila Jheel, Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh,
7. Karera Wildlife Sanctuary, Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh,
8. Basai, Gurgaon, in Haryana,
9. Sardarpur Florican Sanctuary, Dhar in Madhya Pradesh and
10. Ranebennur, Haveri in Karnataka
"These are areas that cover habitats such as coastal and inland wetlands, grasslands and forests, which are at the greatest risk of losing their key biodiversity. Many other IBAs, although not on this list, are also threatened by various types of unsustainable human interference. Most of these IBAs also provide for ecosystem services such as water supply for drinking and agriculture, tourism potential and natural pest control, if managed sustainably," the BNHS survey report said.
Commenting on the issue, Dr Raju Kasambe, Project Manager, IBA Programme, BNHS was quoted by TOI as saying, "Unfortunately in India, nearly 50% of the IBAs are not getting any sort of official recognition from the government agencies. These are the areas which need utmost and urgent protection, if we are really serious about saving the threatened species of birds in India. Our future generations will never pardon us for destroying the important habitats of birds in such a callous manner."
