Expect to see less migratory birds in Thane due to habitat destruction

Thane is developing fast and is on its way to become a smart city. But all this smartness is cutting into the habitats of migrant birds which throng the creek and wetland of this city in winter. And if this rampant development is not curtailed with clear thought to ecology, soon these bird sightings will be a thing of the past warn bird watchers and NGOs.

According to a survey done by Paryavaran Dakshata mandal, a Thane based NGO (non governmental organisation), there has been a year on year decrease in the number of migratory birds. "The birding hotspots in the city like Mumbra creek, Thane creek near Kopri and other spots are being disturbed by humans. There is heavy debris dumping, sand mining, tree cutting, pollution since last two years which are affecting the arrival of these birds," says Avinash Bhagat, project in-charge, Paryavaran Dakshata Mandal.

He says that the Rallidae family of birds which were spotted in Thane and attracted bird watchers across India to the city are not to be seen due to this habitat destruction. "There are 14 to 20 species of Rallidae family which are spotted in India out of which six to eight are spotted in Thane every year. This bird family prefers habitat near creek or wetlands and thus, this city was the obvious choice for their visits. But now there is no reef and grass left for Rallidae which is nowhere to be seen now," he cites.

He adds that even birds like Prinia, Munia, babbler, water fowl which preferred grasslands, wetlands are nowhere to be seen, thanks to the development activity.

The survey include other spots in the city which are bird favorite habitats like Kolshet, area near Thane college, Thane mental hospital and a village called Padle in Dombivli.

Saurabh Sawant a renowned bird watcher and wild life researcher says that the situation is alarming and should be taken into account. "All this development activity will not affect the bird count right away but over the years you will start seeing a decrease in the number of birds globally," says Sawant. Citing an example of the great indian bustard he says that the bird which was extensively found in India are now only 100 or 150 left in numbers.

"It is extremely difficult to conserve them and we might lose them over the next five to 10 years," he says. And this is term will affect the ecological system.

However, Sujeet Narvade of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) says that these observations have come to the fore due to increase in the number of bird watchers over the years. "We need a proper study to determine the exact reasons. But when the habitat gets disturbed, birds do get affected," he concludes.