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Avian Conservation, Protection, and Diversity in Indian Cities
Context:
Rapid urbanisation and habitat loss have led to a significant decline in bird populations in Indian cities, necessitating concerted efforts to conserve and protect avian species and their habitats.
Background:
- Birds play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by contributing to pollination, seed dispersal, forest regeneration, and pest control.
- However, urbanisation, deforestation and environmental degradation necessitate concerted efforts to conserve and protect these vital creatures.
- Global Importance of Birds: There are over 11,000 species of birds worldwide, each adapted to unique ecological challenges and environments.
- India is home to a rich diversity of bird species, with over 1,317 recorded species. The Indian government has proposed a 10-year plan to protect birds and conserve their habitats.
Current Challenges in Avian Conservation:
- Habitat Loss: Rapid urban development has led to the destruction of natural habitats, particularly wetlands and forests. Many wetlands have been encroached upon, severely affecting the habitats of migratory and resident birds.
- Pollution: Air and water pollution significantly affect avian health and behaviour. The decline in Delhi’s moisture index indicates changing weather patterns that could further threaten biodiversity.
- Illegal Trafficking: Cities like Delhi are major hubs for the illegal trafficking of birds, particularly owls. Enforcement agencies often lack the necessary awareness and identification skills to combat this issue effectively.
Impact on Birds:
- Urban spaces have fewer bird species, especially rare and insectivorous birds, while generalist species (like the rock pigeon, house crow, and common myna) thrive.
- Species Decline: 142 bird species in India are declining, with species like the great Indian bustard and white-bellied heron being critically threatened. Conversely, 28 species (e.g., Indian peafowl, Asian koel) are thriving in urban environments.
- Urban Threats: Include noise pollution, light pollution, cat and dog predation, and glass building facades that lead to bird collisions.
Consequences of Avian Population Decline:
- A decline in bird populations increases the risk of insect and rodent overpopulation and the spread of vector-borne diseases.
- The extinction of bird species removes their specific ecological functions.
- Native birds are better suited to their roles than introduced species, which often struggle to replace the functions of native species.
Benefits of Birds:
- Mental Health Benefits: Birds have positive impacts on human mental health, providing psychological, physiological, aesthetic, and recreational benefits.
- Studies show that higher bird diversity in an area can improve mental health, create relaxing environments, and reduce hospitalisation rates for mood and anxiety disorders.
- Social and Cultural Value: Birds have significant cultural and spiritual value in India, appearing in art, folklore, and literature. Some species, like parakeets and macaws, are popular as pets, though many native species are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Conservation Efforts:
- Visionary Perspective Plan (VPP): The VPP (2020-2030) aims to conserve avian diversity in India, with a focus on urban bird populations and their habitats.
- The plan advocates for integrating green spaces and habitat-friendly policies into urban planning to help birds thrive in cities.
- Monitoring and Data Collection: The VPP proposes using data from the Asian Waterbird Census and eBird to monitor bird populations and recommend best practices for bird conservation in urban areas. Citizen science projects, like bird censuses and bird atlases, are crucial for tracking urban bird populations.
- Tree Planting and Habitat Creation: Urban local bodies (ULBs) can help by planting native trees, creating bird-friendly parks, and protecting wetlands and native vegetation.
- Mitigating Urban Hazards: The proliferation of glass facades in urban buildings is a major hazard for birds. Measures such as reducing glass areas or adding bird-friendly markings can prevent collisions.
- Regulations and Policy: Cities should adopt best practice guidelines for integrating bird conservation into urban planning and building regulations, following models from cities like New York, which has bird-safe building laws.
- Community Participation: Birdscaping (creating bird-friendly gardens) and installing birdhouses can support urban bird populations. Initiatives like the Bird City Network in the U.S. provide a platform for local communities to share and implement bird-friendly practices.
