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Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Birds that depend on clean waterbodies and wetlands are at risk: PAU expert
Ludhiana: As International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed on July 3, rising use of plastics, including plastic bags, are posing an unprecedented threat to bird population. Ornithologists and conservationists are sounding urgent alarms about the growing menace of plastic pollution — that is choking habitats, contaminating food chains, and pushing several bird species to the brink of collapse. Plastic has turned into a long-lasting hazard in natural ecosystems. Each year, over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally, and a staggering amount finds its way into the open environment. In India, this translates into clogged village ponds, polluted rivers, and shrinking wetlands, all vital habitats for birdlife. "Plastic pollution is now a leading factor contributing to bird population decline across India," Dr Tejdeep Kaur Kler, principal ornithologist and head of the zoology department at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. "Carnivorous and insectivorous birds that depend on clean water bodies and wetlands are especially at risk." Village ponds, traditionally key sources of drinking water and biodiversity, in most villages have become open dumping grounds for domestic waste, especially plastic wrappers, single-use bags, and packaging material. "Even if this waste is thrown far from water bodies, the rains wash it into ponds, which generally are in low lying areas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The result is suffocating layers of plastic waste around aquatic ecosystems right where many birds feed and nest," explains Dr Kler. Plastic impacts birds in multiple deadly ways. Many mistake colorful plastic fragments for food bottle caps resemble eggs or snails, shredded bags look like worms or jellyfish. Ingested plastics fill the gut and block the digestive system, causing starvation and death. Parents also feed these items to their chicks unknowingly, mistaking them for prey. Recent field reports from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam reveal deaths of kingfishers, herons, and egrets with plastics inside their stomachs, she stated. Species such as vultures, eagles, and the Ruddy Shelduck, crans, and many more species of birds that rely heavily on clean aquatic habitats and a balanced food chain are facing alarming declines. "Hundreds of species are witnessing population drops. The Ruddy Shelduck has declined sharply. So have scavenging raptors and fish-eating birds," notes Dr Kler, citing a 2023 national study which identified 178 of 942 recorded bird species in India as needing immediate conservation attention. Another 323 species were classified under moderate conservation concern. The plastic threat extends beyond ingestion. Birds often become entangled in plastic ropes, packaging bands, and kite strings, leading to injuries, restricted movement, and death. Urban species such as kites and pigeons are increasingly seen with deformed limbs or wings due to plastic threads, especially during kite flying festivals. 'Bird nests no longer safe' Even bird nests are no longer safe. Many urban birds now incorporate synthetic fibers and plastic strips into their nests, which leach toxins, retain excess heat, and entangle chicks before they can fledge. Insects, fish, and other prey consumed by birds are themselves contaminated with microplastics tiny fragments that carry hazardous chemicals like DDT and PCBs, known to disrupt hormones and immunity. A 2022 study by the Indian Institute of Science even detected microplastics in crow feces in Bengaluru, indicating how deep and invisible the plastic infiltration runs, she said. Wetlands and marshes, which host a wide range of migratory and resident birds, are particularly vulnerable. Plastic clogs aquatic vegetation, reduces fish nurseries, and alters the food web. In places like Chilika Lake in Odisha and East Kolkata Wetlands, scientists have linked falling bird counts to plastic contamination in water bodies, she stated. 'Weak enforcement of plastic ban' Despite bans on single-use plastics at the national level in 2022 and earlier initiatives like Punjab's 2016 prohibition on plastic bags, enforcement remains weak. Informal dumping continues unabated, and waste collection and segregation mechanisms are often inadequate or non-functional in rural and peri-urban areas. "Birds are indicators of environmental health. When they disappear, it is not just their loss it is a warning to humanity. If plastic continues to poison our rivers, ponds, and skies, the silence of the birds will soon echo our own ecological failure," she stated.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
‘Plant a tree, fill a water bowl, revive dwindling bird count'
1 2 3 Ludhiana: As skies and forests grow increasingly silent, the once familiar calls of birds are fading from daily life. The decline, experts say, is not just a loss of sound but a warning sign of collapsing ecosystems. In the wake of this, Tejdeep Kaur Kler, principal ornithologist and HoD of zoology at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has issued an urgent call for citizen action to save the country's dwindling bird populations. "Birdsong is more than a pleasant background sound — it's a vital ecological signal," said Dr Kler, adding, "Its decline signals serious environmental disruption caused by habitat loss, climate change, and human neglect." She said bird populations are declining due to disappearing wetlands, shrinking forests, erratic monsoons, and the spread of urbanisation. A recent national study revealed significant drops in resident species like the Indian Pitta, Sarus Crane, and Oriental Magpie-Robin — birds once common in rural and urban landscapes. But while large-scale conservation policies are crucial, she said, citizens also have a powerful role to play in protecting birdlife. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo One of the most effective steps people can take is to plant native trees and shrubs in their surroundings. Unlike ornamental exotics, native species like jamun, amaltas, peepal, ber, and arjun support local insect populations, which are a primary food source for many birds. Exotic plants may look attractive, but they don't serve the ecological needs of native birds, Kler explained. Birds rely on specific insect cycles, and these insects depend on native flora. By planting native species, you're rebuilding the natural food chain. She also urged city planners and residential societies to replace water-hungry lawns and decorative hedges with native vegetation, which provides both food and nesting spaces for birds. In the face of hotter summers and longer dry spells, providing clean water sources like birdbaths, shallow ponds, or even clay bowls can be lifesaving for birds. In urban heat islands, birds are often dehydrated and stressed. Something as simple as a bowl of water can help. Residents are also encouraged to reduce the use of pesticides in home gardens, as these chemicals kill the insects that birds feed on, especially during breeding season when chicks require protein-rich diets. Noise and light pollution are other major disruptors. Loud music, firecrackers, and constant artificial lighting can interfere with bird communication, especially during mating seasons. "People must understand that our lifestyles are invading natural rhythms," she said. "Turning off outdoor lights at night and limiting unnecessary noise helps birds stay on their biological schedule." Dr. Kler also recommends that citizens participate in bird counts and record sightings on platforms like eBird or BirdCount India. These data help researchers track declining species and identify urgent conservation needs. "Birds are indicators of environmental health," she said. "If we lose them, we are losing a part of our own survival system. It's not too late, but we must act now." In a world of vanishing birdsong, small actions — planting a tree, filling a water bowl, or choosing not to spray a pesticide — can help bring back the music of the skies. BOX WHAT CAN CITIZENS DO Tejdeep Kaur Kler, principal ornithologist and HoD of zoology at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has issued an urgent call for citizen action to save the country's dwindling bird populations. Here are some of her suggestions 1. One of the most effective steps people can take is to plant native trees and shrubs in their surroundings. Unlike ornamental exotics, native species like jamun, amaltas, peepal, ber, and arjun support local insect populations, which are a primary food source for many birds. Exotic plants may look attractive, but they don't serve the ecological needs of native birds 2. In the face of hotter summers and longer dry spells, providing clean water sources like birdbaths, shallow ponds, or even clay bowls can be lifesaving for birds. In urban heat islands, birds are often dehydrated and stressed. Something as simple as a bowl of water can help 3. Residents are also encouraged to reduce the use of pesticides in home gardens, as these chemicals kill the insects that birds feed on, especially during breeding season when chicks require protein-rich diets 4. Dr. Kler also recommends that citizens participate in bird counts and record sightings on platforms like eBird or BirdCount India. These data help researchers track declining species and identify urgent conservation needs
