According to a report collectively presented by more than 15,000 birdwatchers across the country, about 80% of the 867 species of Indian bird population has declined during the last five years. Considering the gravity of the matter, concerns have been raised for the conservation of 101 species.
Several observations were made to understand the declining trend. The birdwatchers were provided with the eBird platform in order to evaluate the range of distribution of these 867 species. This evaluation was done over long-term i.e 25+ years as well as present years (5 years).
The results showed that out of 867 species, 58 species are on the strong decline (long-term) and 77 species are declining moderately. And as per the present years (5 years), 72 species are on the strong decline.
Raptors, migratory shorebirds and habitat specialists, which included Small Minivet, Common Woodshrike, Short Toed Snake, Cotton Teal Little Stint, Large Cuckooshrike, Common Greenshank, Rufous Tailed Lark, Oriental Skylark, Yellow-fronted pied woodpecker, Indian Thick-knee Eagle, Little Pratinkole, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue Rock Thrush, Crested TreeSwift and Redneck Falcon are on strong decline.
The whole species of birds that feed on invertebrate have declined completely, while other 101 species require immediate protection action.
In the words of Dhananjai Mohan from the Wildlife Institute of India, ‘in order to give protection to strong declining species, attention from conservation policy, management and funding are required’.
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