Opinion - Editorials

Disappearing wetland birds

Water birds are a key indicator of the health of water bodies, which they visit as part of their annual migration patterns. A fall in the arrival of the colourful birds from the North is worrying not just to ornithologists but also to many communities that depend on the freshwater and coastal wetlands. The decline of some species is a troubling symptom of the degenerating health of water bodies and their catchments. New data released by Wetlands International contain pointers to the deterioration of wetlands in Asia and to the decrease or possible extinction of water bird populations. These birds have been counted annually for years in nearly 100 countries. The Waterbird Population Estimates (WPE) compiled by the global agency, which has 60 national government members, sounds a note of alarm over the precipitous loss of entire populations of water birds in Asia, representing over a third of those described worldwide. The complete loss or reduction in numbers of 62 per cent of known bird populations causes great concern because of the likely underlying causes — destruction of habitat, pollution, changes in vegetation, global warming, and direct human intervention, including hunting. Such degradation has depressing implications for conservation. Two dozen species are now listed as more endangered, according to Red List norms for globally threatened birds, than they were four years ago.

Most wetlands in India support migrant and resident bird species. However, the absence of a national policy and a strong law to protect wetlands has led to serious losses of aquatic habitat. Thousands of wetlands enjoy no protection and only those located within national parks and sanctuaries or listed under the Ramsar Convention are recognised. A national study conducted by the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History has worked out in detail the price of neglecting wetlands. Many have been poisoned with effluents, fertilizer, and pesticides to such a degree that tissues of fish contain harmful levels of chemicals like lead. The WPE data echo these findings. They call attention to rapid unplanned development in Asia as a leading cause of loss of wetlands, affecting groundwater recharge, recycling of natural wastes, flood storage, and food production. This disturbing trend must be reversed with far-sighted policies that recognise the important role of wetlands. All major lakes, tanks, and coastal wetlands need legal protection as society's inestimable resources. India can easily better its record of listing only 25 internationally important wetlands under the Ramsar Convention by including all the 199 sites that experts consider worthy of inclusion.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu