India’s avian population is facing a grave crisis, as highlighted by the recently released State of Indian Birds report 2023. The report, a collaborative effort among 50 experts from leading institutions like the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), uncovers a disturbing trend of declining bird numbers across the country.
Startlingly, around 60% of bird species are experiencing a prolonged decrease in their populations, with an additional 40% showing a yearly decline. The number of species classified as “high conservation priority” has surged from 101 in the previous 2020 report to a concerning 178 in this edition. An absence of adequate data posed challenges in calculating long-term trends for 44% of the species, while the current annual trends for 31% could not be determined due to data limitations.
The report underlines the acute challenges faced by species in open ecosystems or habitats without ample protection, such as grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands. Birds native to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka are particularly at risk. Distressingly, grassland specialists have witnessed a decline exceeding 50%, while woodland specialists have also experienced rapid decreases, emphasizing the dire need to safeguard these specialized habitats.
Counterintuitively, certain common bird species have managed to thrive amidst this bleak scenario. Feral Rock Pigeons, Ashy Prinias, Asian Koels, and Indian Peafowls are reporting an increase in numbers. The report attributes their successes to factors like adaptability and a broader range, shedding light on the intricate dynamics governing bird populations.
Migratory bird populations, however, are grappling with severe challenges, marked by a 50% decline in their numbers. Species that journey long distances, breeding in the Arctic and wintering in India, have been hit hardest, with an 80% decrease attributed to climate change impacts, perilous migration routes, and extreme weather events. Urgent and targeted conservation measures are crucial to salvage these vulnerable populations.
Despite the gloomy trajectory, the report spotlights a critical gap in protected areas. Many species on the brink exist outside the formal Protected Area network, necessitating comprehensive conservation policies that extend beyond traditional boundaries. Effective conservation, the report advocates, mandates close cooperation among diverse departments, active participation from local communities, and grassroots initiatives.
The research team behind the report stumbled upon surprising insights during their analysis. Ashwin Viswanathan from the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) noted the declining numbers of various duck species and the rapid decline of open habitat species. Neha Sinha, head of policy and communications at WWF India, concurred, mentioning that some previously common species like the Indian Roller and Sirkeer Malkoha are also experiencing alarming declines.
The Chenab Times News Desk