Kerala birds face survival threat

The White-rumped Vulture and Indian Vulture in Kerala are facing the "extremely high risk of extinction in the wild," according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The two species are among the 14 critically endangered birds of India, according to the list.The Red List of birds was prepared by BirdLife International for the IUCN. The researchers have listed 192 bird species globally as critically endangered ones.The Nilgiri Laughingthrush has been classified as endangered, as it faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Eleven bird species, including the Nilgiri Wood-pigeon, Yellow-throated Bulbul, Broad-tailed Grassbird and White-bellied Shortwing, are in the vulnerable category.Species are assigned to categories using criteria with quantitative thresholds for population size, population trend, range size and other parameters, according to the IUCN.In the Near Threatened category, there are 17 bird varieties like Oriental Darter, Spot-billed Pelican, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Great Hornbill and Nilgiri Flycatcher."The status of the Kerala birds remains unchanged when compared to the previous year. This could be considered as a positive sign regarding the protection they are receiving," said P.O. Nameer, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission of the IUCN. At the same time, renowned ornithologist R. Sugathan felt that the classifications need to be validated based on regular monitoring of bird population.Woodcock, a direct migrant from the Himalayas to the high-altitude Shola forests of the Western Ghats, has not been classified though its population has been affected. It is also the case with Hair-crested Drongo, he said.Important Bird Areas need to be identified and a permanent monitoring system of the bird population should be in place rather than relying on random studies, Dr. Sugathan suggested."As the threatened varieties are found in protected areas, they get adequate protection. But the wetland-dependent birds mostly remain unprotected," said Dr. Nameer.The IUCN has recommended the removal of the veterinary drug diclofenac from the supply chain in the Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia for preventing the catastrophic declines of several vulture species.In Asia, the wetland conservation efforts, including the protection of key tidal wetland, should be continued for the benefit of varieties like the endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Chinese-crested Tern, the IUCN has suggested.

 

The Hindu, 16th May 2009