Dr. Parveen Kumar
Nature’s lovely creatures, birds’ represent incredible diversity and who bring beauty and pleasure in our lives with their melodious voices and attractive colours. It has been rightly said that these birds have cultural, artistic, philosophical, economical and ecological value. Their chirping and collective flight soaring high up in the sky fills our hearts’ with joy. All across the world, that there are around 10,000-12,000 different species of birds with a total population of approximately 50 billion individual birds.In our country, there are 1377 species recorded as of 2023, of which 81 are endemic to the country and 212 species are globally threatened. They have a crucial role in preserving our ecosystem and as such all life on this planet. Birds control insect-pests, clean up waste and spread seeds. Around 5% of the plants human used for food or medicine are pollinated by birds. They have the power to unite nations. Different species of birds travel long distances covering nations and continents. This gives an opportunity to different nations to come together and take steps to help and protect these small creatures ultimately paving the way for global cooperation. Unfortunately, the status of birds all across the globe does not represents a rosy picture. The latest report of Bird Life entitled ‘State of the World’s Birds’ published every four years comes out with various shocking revelations. It states that nearly half of the birds’ species in the world are now in decline. Only six percent have been increasing their population. Nearly three billion birds are estimated to have been lost since 1970 in North America alone and further 600 million have been lost in the European Union since 1980, an area five times smaller. Lucy Haskell, Scientific Officer for BirdLife and lead author of the report further writes that world has already lost over 160 species of birds in the last 500 years. Although historically most extinctions were on islands, yet what is worrying is the growing wave of extinctions in continents and that is driven by landscape-scale habitat loss. There are diverse factors for this decline in bird population. Human action is among the major factor for the decline. The increasing use of machinery and the intensive use of chemicals have emerged as the leading cause of threat impacting about 73 per cent of threatened species. Unsustainable management of forests represents another significant threat. Over seven million hectares of forests are lost every year which is an area larger than the Republic of Ireland and this impacts nearly half of the world’s threatened bird species. Species like Harpy Eagle which depend on large, old trees are affected particularly. The bird has recently been put into vulnerable category in IUCN Red List. Climate Change has also emerged as a threat to birds. Reports reveal that increase in frequency of phenomenon like storms, wildfires and drought is having a substantial impact on them, affecting 34 per cent of threatened species. Because of the importance of birds, January 05 is celebrated as National Birds Day.
The Avian Welfare Coalition created this day to raise awareness for the birds that are captured or produced in captivity for either monetary benefits or for amusement purposes. National Birds Day celebrated on Jan. 05 is an occasion to acknowledge the crucial role birds play in our lives and at the same time also to highlight the ill treatment birds are subjected to. For petty gains and delight, birds are caught, imprisoned, kept in captivity or eaten. It is day to do away with the sufferings of birds by raising public attention. In United States of America, National Birds Day has been celebrated since 2002. The date has been chosen deliberately as it is the day for the yearly Christmas bird count. Americans hold hands together to acquire details regarding the quality and condition of birds in the USA. This year the day is celebrated with the theme, ‘Right to Fight’. The theme signifies the flight of a bird that represents freedom.
Birds are known to be early warning systems for the state of planet as a whole. Any change in bird population is an indication that their habitat is being destroyed by climate change or other factors. In the agriculture sector, their beneficence lies in their capability to control insect pests that cause huge damage to crops. Th birds in a way also reduce our requirement of chemicals that otherwise are needed to control the insect pests. Birds also help in seed dispersal. Birds eat fruits and disperse the seeds through their fecal matter thus helping in natural spread and rejuvenation of plants. Hummingbirds and sun birds play an important role in pollinating flowers ultimately ensuring the reproduction of plants and production of different commodities. Birds like geese and ducks are used to control weeds especially in paddy crop preventing them from overcrowding paddy fields. Similarly birds like peacocks and turkey dig the soil in search of insects, worms, grubs help in aerating the soil and improving its nutrient content. Birds like pigeons and doves contribute to the natural fertilization of agricultural land through their droppings, enriching the soil with essential nutrients. Birds like Garuda (Crested Serpent Eagle), Jatayu (Vulture), Crane (Sarus Crane) have religious as well as cultural significance too. These Birds are protected and considered auspicious by certain communities in the country. The Peafowl was proclaimed as India’s National Bird in 1963, because Kartikeya, Hindu God rides on is back. Birds from the very beginning have been an integral part of India’s rich biodiversity. By protecting and ensuring their presence in agricultural areas, it helps maintain a balanced ecosystem and conserves the overall eco-health of the region.
Besides birds is also an important source for promotion of ecotourism. Birdwatching and bird tourism can be developed around agricultural areas, attracting visitors and generating additional income for farmers. They also serve as educational tools.The diversity of bird species offers immense benefits for agriculture sector as well as for the environment. Owls are natural predators of rodents and mice, which are common pests in agricultural fields. By feeding on these pests, owls help in reducing crop damage and loss. Kites are known to feed on small mammals, insects, and reptiles. They help in controlling rodent populations, which can cause significant damage to crops. Falcons are used in certain regions of India for falconry, a traditional method of pest control. They are trained to hunt and scare away birds like pigeons, crows, and parakeets that can cause damage to crops. Egrets and Herons are known as water birds and are beneficial in agricultural areas with fish ponds or wetlands. They feed on fish, frogs, and insects, helping to regulate their populations and maintain the ecological balance. Similarly Cuckoos help control caterpillars by feeding on them. They help in controlling the population of these pests and reduce the need for chemical pesticides.Kingfishers feed primarily on small fish, insects, and aquatic invertebrates. In agricultural areas with water bodies, they help in controlling pests like mosquitoes and small fish that can harm crops. In the Indian subcontinent, Drongos are known for their insect-catching skills. They catch flying insects in mid-air, including mosquitoes, flies, grasshoppers, and crickets, which can be harmful to crops. Swallows are aerial insectivores and feed on flying insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and aphids. They help in reducing the populations of these pests in agricultural fields.Shrikes are known for their habit of impaling their prey on thorns or spikes. They feed on insects, small rodents, and even small birds, contributing to the control of pests in agricultural areas. Birds also have adverse effects on agriculture. The birds are also responsible for the activities like spoiling the land prepared for sowing; they also dig out the seed sown, damage the gunny bags and contaminate grains with their droppings in the grain stores.
The tiny creatures are of great help in the agriculture sector. They need to be protected at any cost and the best way is awareness of the masses abour the benefits they give to our planet.
(The author writes on agriculture and social issues)
