IUCN lists 15 Indian birds as critically endangered

Fifteen bird species in India remain critically endangered and three bird species that were in the ‘least concern’ category, so far, face greater danger than before, as per the recently-released International Union of Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) red list.

The avian species that fall under the critically endangered category include migratory and non-migratory birds found in wetlands, grasslands, forests as well as scavengers. The Himalayan Quail and Pinkheaded Duck are practically extinct although they are listed as critically endangered said manager-communications of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). In the latest list, two birds – the River Lapwing and River Tern – that were listed as species of least concern have been registered as near threatened. A third bird, the longtailed duck, which has been sighted in India on a few occasions, has moved from ‘least concern’ to ‘vulnerable’ on the red list.

According to the IUCN website, the population of both the River Lapwing (Vanellus duvaucelii) and River Tern (Sterna aurantia) is expected to decline at a moderately rapid rate over the next three generations because of human pressures on riverine ecosystems and the construction of dams.

The head of the BNHS’s important bird areas explained that both these birds lay their eggs on the banks of rivers and on small islands that form on the river beds during summer. However, human activities such as bringing cattle and dogs to the riverside result in eggs getting trampled upon. The nesting sites of these birds are not safe and similar pressures to the habitat had pushed the Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) to a vulnerable status.

Studies by BNHS and other organizations on factors contributing the most to the decline of several bird species reveal that just like wetlands, most other habitats such as grasslands and forests also face severe threat due to developmental pressures. Drastic loss of grassland habitat over the past decades has severely threatened species such as the Great Indian Bustard, Bengal Florican and Jerdon’s Courser. Destruction of deciduous forests in central India has led to the decline in Forest Owlet numbers. Even destruction of forests in the fragile Western Ghats and the Himalayas continues to endanger the existence of many other species.

There is an urgent need to conserve the remaining habitats and species dependent on them, based on insightful scientific field research. Policies that ensure this through sustainable development should be framed and implemented urgently said director of BNHS.