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Birds disappearing as construction takes flight
Paul Fernandes, TNN | Dec 31, 2011
PANAJI: Concrete is slowly eating away into bird habitats as continuous
construction on green hills and the beautification of lakes are
adversely impacting the winged species, say bird lovers.
Fast-paced construction and other development activity has led to the
concretization and desertification of scrublands and plateaus. "Though
right now forests are considered important, scrublands and plateaus are
overlooked," says Indian bird conservation network (IBCN) member Pankaj Lad.
Agrees IBCN Goa state coordinator, Parag Rangnekar, "One reason for the
shrinking bird habitats is the disappearance of greenery due to
urbanization of villages and even loss of trees in urban areas," he said.
The extensive Taleigao-Dona Paula plateau was considered a good site for
spotting the lark, red wattled and yellow lapwings and Pipit. "All
plateaus have a diversity of bird life, but nesting sites have shrunk or
are destroyed due to clearing of vegetation," Lad said.
At least 115 species of birds have been recorded in the Goa University
campus, spread over just 1.7 sq kms. "Around the Bondvoll lake itself 43
species of birds were spotted," Rangnekar said.
"The moist deciduous forest on the slopes of the plateau is ideal for
bird habitats. Bird species depend on berries, which were available
aplenty earlier," says Nandkumar Kamat, a botanist (assistant professor
in botany department).
"But the bird density appears to have considerably come down in the
campus," he adds. The thinning green belts around the campus due to real
estate development and even sporadic grass fires are adversely impacting
the birds. "The nests on trees are burnt and food for the birds,
including insect life is wiped off," Siddesh Naik, a senior research
fellow said.
Clearing of vegetation on the river banks to raise concrete embankments
has also eaten away into bird habitats. "We had seen a bird's nest on a
tree near the river in Ganjem, but after a few weeks, a concrete
embankment stood in its place," Lad said.
The beautification of lakes, ignoring ecological aspects, is also
affecting the bird habitats. Trees and bushes formed a perfect buffer
between the birds in the Raitollem lake at Curtorim and the traffic on
the road. "But the vegetation was cleared to raise a concrete walkway at
the cost of bird life," says Lad.
The Pilar lake faces a similar fate as the concrete embankment on its
sides is likely to affect bird activity. "Desilting of Pilar lake will
reduce it to a water tank," says Lad. Birds use the variation in depth
to their advantage.
Explaining further, he said lapwings use the shallow marshy waters. But
coots and ducks prefer a habitat of varying depths. The birds are
dependent on insect life. "If the lake is clean of weeds and reeds, the
birds will shy away from the area," Rangnekar said.
The paddy fields are considered good hosts of several ecosystems,
sustaining insects and other life. "The water birds and other winged
species live around it," Rangnekar added.
The multi-crop kullaghar system with its green cover and dampness
harbours several avian species.
The marshes with ponds are also important habitats for rails, crakes and
snipes. "But the irrigable areas with a lot of grass and reeds are being
destroyed by reclamation for housing," Lad said.
The land use change affects various species of birds. "This is happening
in Baga and other areas with a lot of marshes cleared now," he said.
The festering growth of invasive species of weed, especially Eupatorium
grass (locally called Ranmodi) has also ruined the forest and wooded
habitats. "The weed easily grows in open spaces and wherever original
forest areas are cut," Rangnekar said.
Monoculture or single crop cultivations do not foster much bird life.
"Cashew plantation is not so favourable for birds," he added. Acacia and
rubber crops simulate an impact like invasive plants. "There would not
be much shrub growth under such trees and you don't find diversity of
insect life," he explained.
The eutrophication of paddy fields and spread of mangroves due to saline
conditions, is another factor, which has affected the winged species. "A
different type of vegetation grows here and the assemblage of birds
species also changes," Rangnekar said. The birds adjust but still they
need specific areas for nesting.
A few of the deep diving ducks like pin tails disappear from eutrophied
water bodies. "Too much growth of water vegetation sucks the oxygen from
the water and ducks will not be found there," Rangnekar added. The
sunlight cannot penetrate through it and even the fish start dying.
Though poaching was considered a major threat, it is now a thing of the
past. "Poaching of migratory fowls was common in many traditional lakes,
but luckily it is very rare now," Rangnekar said.
Bird lovers agree that planning and development cannot be stopped. "But
when it happens, the ecological aspects should be considered and the
green cover should be retained," Rangnekar said.
Consulting experts to strike a middle course will help, say bird lovers.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Birds-disappearing-as-construction-takes-flight/articleshow/11312414.cms
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