Mommy, where have all the birds gone?

Experts have noticed a sharp decline in the bird population. Some of the factors responsible for it are global warming, environmental pollution, cutting of the trees and illegal hunting.

OUR FOREFATHERS were very wise and generous men, who always respected and worshipped the elements of Mother Nature. They always abided the laws set by the nature and respected every living form. But unfortunately today, the cruel industrial world has affected the lifestyle of every single organism on earth.

The race for survival has made the man more selfish than ever. Man with his selfish ambitions has replaced the jungles with cemented monsters which have drifted the existence of birds toward extinction.The environmentalists have noticed a continuous decline in the diversity of various species of the birds. According to the study conducted by Stanford and Duke Universities, 12% of the existing species would disappear by the end of the century.

What experts say is that besides having natural predators against them, global warming, environmental pollution, cutting of the trees and illegal hunting are some other factors responsible.

Gradually many species have become prone to diseases like bird flu which is even a big threat to the human race.In the never ending list of extinct species: Dodos, Maus, Kangaroo Island Black Emu, Great Elephantbird, Hawaiian Drepanididae, Great Auk, Bonin Wood Pigeon, The Cuban Red Macaw, Guadeloupe Island Caracara, Mysterious Starling are some of the innocent victims of climate change.

The condition of birds in India:From the Trans Himalayan range to dense jungles India has been blessed with 1250 species of birds. Major attraction among them are Peacock, European Roller, "Alectoris chukar"Chukar (juvenile), The Indian Peafowl, Indian Roller, Common Kingfishers, Cuckoo- the Koel, Hill Myna, Racquet tailed drogas , tree pies jungle owlets, Minvets and Sarus Crane. The Indian Peacock is the national Bird of India because of its historical and religious significance since from the days of Rig Veda. Not only these, many Swans, Geese, Ducks, Terns, Swallows, Martins, Warblers and Siberian Cranes also travel India as a part of their seasonal migration. But how long can India preserve this species from disappearance is still a matter of big concern.

There was a time when India was considered as a paradise for bird watching. In India the long list of critically endangered bird species includes: White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Jerdon's Courser, Forest Owlet, Sociable Lapwing, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican, Spot-billed Pelican, Greater Spotted Eagle, Darter, Painted Stork, etc. The deteriorating condition of birds can be traced everywhere in the metropolitan cities. They don’t have proper water to drink, food to eat and air to breath. One may not pay attention, but thousands of scavengers fed themselves on rotten and contaminated waste lying near the Ghazipur slaughter house at Delhi.

The large scale concretisation has drifted the bird population to other places also. Steps to be taken to protect these species:The distinction these common species share is the potential to become uncommon unless we all take initiative to preserve them. Every person can contribute in this process by just sitting at home like: individual energy conservation methods, emission cutting, planting tress and providing shelter in the form of bird house. Individuals can pressurise the Government for protecting the wetlands and forests through emails and creating awareness.

Jack Dumbacher (Curator of birds and mammals at California Academy of Sciences) has concluded that birds are an important component of our ecosystem, they eat rodents and insects which attack the agricultural crops. There are also evidences when birds go extinct then automatically the trees also go extinct. It's hard to imagine that the disappearance of bird species making much difference to human well-being. It is very important for humans to think differently on how they would interact with the animals around them. The need of the hour is maintenance of the eco system services for preserving the winged beauties.