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8 bird species from Mumbai fly into endangered list

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At least 19 species of birds from Maharashtra have been included in a list of ‘endangered bird’ species. This includes four species of vultures, black-headed ibis, black-tailed godwit, Eurasian curlew and the Lesser flamingos which are inhabitants of Mumbai.

The list put out by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has, in all, 145 bird species.

The birds have been divided into four categories, of which the ‘critically endangered’ species is the most worrisome. The white-backed vulture is one of the 15 birds in this category, which also includes the pink-headed duck and the Himalayan quail which are considered extinct for all practical purposes.

Spokesperson of BNHS, Atul Sathe, says that there have been no confirmed sightings of these two species in the past few decades. “But since they were supposed to live in isolated areas, we cannot be sure. So, they’re still listed as ‘critically endangered’.”

The list was compiled with the help of Birdlife UK and BNHS whose scientists have been involved with various conservation studies  all over the country.

“The study is based on observing local sightings, trade and the habitat of these species,” says Sathe. “It is not easy to get a proper count of birds. Our scientists share this information with associations abroad and thus create a research network.”

Dr Raju Kasambe, project manager of the Important Bird Areas programme of BNHS, says that destruction of habitats, wetlands and mudflats has put these species under threat of extinction.

“Last year we recorded around 10,000 lesser flamingos in Sewri mudflats. If they make that bridge [Trans Harbour link connecting  Sewri to Navi Mumbai], this coastal ecosystem will be destroyed,” says Dr Kasambe.

Mumbai has been the haunt of birdwatchers since ages. Due to its coastal landscape and forest pockets, it is home to a large number of migratory and resident birds.

Diclofenac kills pain and vultures too
Four of the 15 critically endangered species are major vulture species which used to be seen in Mumbai in abundance. Their numbers had seen a drop of around 99% in the 1990s where the 4crore- strong population in the 1950s dropped to an estimated 10,000. Years of study revealed the cause to be the drug diclofenac administered to cattle as a painkiller and these scavengers who fed on mostly cattle carcasses started dying due to kidney failure in reaction to the drug.

Forest Owlet
This species, with an estimated population of 50 to 249 mature individuals, has a tiny, severely fragmented population known from fewer than 12 locations in central Maharashtra. Forest in its range is being lost and degraded by illegal tree-cutting, timber besides forest fires. These threats are suspected to be causing a decline of 10-19% over 10 years.

Great Indian Bustard
In Maharashtra, estimates suggest a population as   low as 30 individuals. Encroachment is a major problem in many bustard areas, especially in and around bustard sanctuaries. Mining, stone- quarrying, growth of industries, power projects and expansion of roads, electric poles, wind turbines and other projects have increased the severity of habitat degradation

Black-headed Ibis
Common in large wetland areas of India, this species is undergoing a population reduction. With an estimated population ranging between 10,000-19,999 mature individuals, it faces a full gambit of threats from hunting and disturbance at breeding colonies to drainage and conversion of foraging habitats to agriculture.

Flamingos
The migratory wetland birds started using Mumbai as a transit point in the 1990s. Huge numbers are still seen in the Sewri mudflats although the species seems to be declining due to habitat degradation. Experts warn that the upcoming Trans Harbour link connecting Sewri to Navi Mumbai is expected to destroy the flamingo habitat in Sewri

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