Sansad TV: Nature & You- Migratory Birds | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Migratory birds are temporary visitors with positive effects that travel to India from 29 different countries each year. The country experiences the arrival of large groups of birds between September and October, marking the onset of migration. These birds require suitable nesting places and an ample food supply to successfully raise their offspring. Unfortunately, over the past decade, there has been a significant loss of habitat, including shrinking water bodies, wetlands, natural grasslands, and forests, which has posed major challenges for migratory birds. Factors such as excessive exploitation of resources, unsustainable practices, population growth, and climate change have also contributed to the loss of biodiversity.

Importance of migratory birds

• Migratory birds fulfill crucial and irreplaceable roles in the ecosystems they inhabit and traverse. They serve as natural pest controllers by feeding on insects and other harmful organisms, thus playing a role in environmental and crop protection.
• The absence of migratory birds can contribute to disasters such as locust infestations. These birds also aid in seed dispersal, promoting biodiversity along their migration routes. Certain bird species, like ducks, can transport fish eggs in their digestive systems to new water bodies.
• Additionally, the droppings of birds, known as guano, contain nitrogen and act as organic fertilizers, while eggshells contribute calcium and other minerals. Migratory birds form both prey and predator populations in ecosystems, thereby influencing the ecological balance. The presence of migratory birds also provides valuable insights into the environmental conditions of an area.

Challenges

• In various regions around the world where migratory birds pass through or reside, they face threats such as egg poaching and hunting. Local communities, unaware of the benefits provided by these birds, often engage in activities that harm their survival. Wealthy individuals may indulge in bird poaching for personal consumption, disregarding the environmental consequences. The loss of one mate can lead to the death of the other and the entire brood due to starvation, impacting entire bird families and future generations. 
• Additionally, the diminishing minor habitats near towns and villages, where smaller flocks seek refuge, pose significant concerns. Increasing nighttime illumination confuses migrating birds, while environmental degradation and higher pollutant levels disrupt their life cycles and migrations. Heavy pollution in water bodies and excessive pesticide use result in improper hatching and the loss of broods. Birds can also suffer from consuming fish and insects contaminated with elevated levels of heavy metals and toxins. Encroachment and human interference, along with increased fishing activities, present challenges in ensuring an adequate food supply for birds, leading to starvation.

Possible interventions

• Implementing long-term monitoring programs to track bird migrations, monitor diseases, and gather data on population trends.
• Educating school children, youth, and the general public about the significance of bird migrations and their ecological impact, while seeking local support for nesting and conservation efforts.
• Restricting or banning fishing activities in estuaries, rivers, and water bodies during the migration season.
• Encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable organic agriculture practices, promoting chemical-free water bodies and pesticide-free prey for birds.
• Promoting the sustainable use of landscapes and ecosystem services that support migratory bird populations and their habitats.
• Conserving wetlands, grasslands, natural habitats, and forests with native species to provide roosting and nesting sites for birds.
• Implementing bans on single-use plastics and preventing their disposal in water bodies.
• Establishing specific rules, regulations, acts, and treaties among nations to enforce the conservation of migratory birds.
• Utilizing modern technologies like drones to track and deter poachers in areas where birds congregate.
• Reducing nighttime lighting along migration paths to minimize confusion for migratory birds.
• Encouraging the establishment of eco-clubs and citizen-led initiatives to raise awareness and promote the conservation and protection of migratory birds and their natural habitats.