Nature's unsung heroes

BRIJ KISHOR GUPTA

Every animal and plant has a role in our ecosystem. Interaction among these is maintains the stability of the ecosystem. Some animals and plants have been adored and idolised by mankind because of their beauty and grace . Some, though more useful, have not got the attention they deserve.

These behind the scene performers and friends of mankind are known as scavengers/detritus feeder of the ecosystem. This group includes a wide variety of species ranging from the jackal to the fox, from crows to the jungle cat; from the crocodiles and turtles to the ungainly vultures roosting on tree tops; from the rat snake in agricultural fields to the hyena cleaning the forest floor of the carcasses of dead animals; from the intrepid insect -eating drongo to the voracious frog in our vicinity.

Unadored and unsung, these friends of mankind have been maintaining the hygiene of the ecosystem.

Jackals act as scavengers of nature. Together with vultures, they provide the only sanitary service known to many of our towns and villages. They eat carcasses and offal thereby cleaning up the environment. They also keep the numbers of rodent, smaller mammals and insects under control.

The hyena family comprises of three genera. The genus Hyaena contains two species the striped and brown hyena. In India the striped hyena is found in the plains, deserts, rocky scrub- covered hills, grass and open forests. It can carry large pieces of food over great distances. The hyena seeks its food by scent. Within the animal community their role is that of a scavenger, a useful animal, helping to keep the hygiene of the forests.

The Slow loris is a nocturnal primate which sleeps through the day, getting active only at night. It is found in the tropical rain forests of Tripura, Meghalaya and parts South East Asia. It is found in small family groups. It is seclusive and arboreal in habit. It keeps in check the population of Sal borer and nocturnal insects found on the tree trunks. It thus plays a significant role in maintaining the health of the forest ecosystem.

The Indian Night jar is a soft-plumaged crepiscular and nocturnal bird, mottled grey brown, buff and fulvous, black-streaked above, of a complicated camouflaging pattern. They are found mostly in scrub forests, forest clearings, broken scrubby ravines crouching on the ground by day, and preying on insects at dusk in zig-zag flight. These birds are extremely difficult to spot unless almost stepped upon.

Easily distinguished from other crocodiles by the long and narrow snout which ends in a bulbous tip, similar to a pot. Hence the name Gharial (ghara, meaning pot). Gharials are confined to Indus, Ganges Brahmaputra and the Mahanadi river systems in the Indian subcontinent and the Irrawaddy and Arakan rivers in Burma. Once very common, it is now confined to the few remaining wild stretches of its former habitat. Presently the main habitat is the Chambal, Girwa and Narayani rivers of the Ganga system.

Gharials are dwell in the river, rarely moving far from the river bank. Predominantly fish eaters they occasionally eats turtles, birds and small mammals. They also feed on corpses, thereby cleaning up the river system.

The rat snake or Ptyas mucosus is one of the commonest, non- poisonous snake of India. The rat snake lives on rat, frogs, lizards, small birds and other snakes. It is a non-venomous snake. It prefers to live in damp grasslands and cultivated areas. The male rat snakes perform a "Combat Dance". It attains a maximum length of 3.75 metres and is the largest snake of the family Colubridae. The rat snake feeds upon destroyers of crops like mice and rats. It also feeds upon toads, frogs, geckos, skinks and lizards.

The Chitra turtle is probably the largest among the turtles. It is distinguished by the long narrow head with eyes situated close to the comparatively short proboscis. Chitra turtles are found in the Ganga. They play an important role in cleaning the river system. They are carnivorous in habit and feed on carcasses.

Malabar gliding frog or the Rhacophorous malabaricus is seen in the evergreen forests of Western Ghats. It mainly feeds upon large and small insects and rarely on snakes and frogs. Amphibians are the biological indicator of environmental health. The use of pesticides and herbicides on crops has contributed to the decline of the amphibian population. Adults are affected when they eat contaminated arthropods, and the run-off makes ponds, streams and lakes unsuitable for tadpoles.

Adult frogs are hunters of various animals including mosquitoes, flies, fishes, snails and even small mammals. They are also known as "friends of the farmer", as they help in keeping the insect population in check.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Features
Previous : Are these promises to keep?
Next     : Off with the beard