Arti Das
It is stated that Goa which has 0.1 per cent of India’s area has 37 per cent of its listed birds as more than 480 species of birds are recorded from Goa. However, the recent research which is compiled in a book titled ‘Threatened Birds of Goa—Status of Globally Threatened Birds Reported from Goa’ by Pronoy Baidya, Jalmesh Karapurkar, and Sujeetkumar Dongre, states that around 56 species of birds are threatened.
The book is a scientific summarisation of globally threatened species of birds that have been reported from the state of Goa. It depends on global information available in scientific literature, interpretation of historical information derived from more than 40 years of Heinz Lainer’s birding notes, and current bird community structure across Goa from the Goa Bird Atlas dataset.
The book which is published by Goa-based Arannya Environment Research Organisation and Goa Forest Department, mentions various species, many known and also not-so-known like Lesser Florican, that prefer dry grassland of central India, was last sighted in 2007 at Divar Island and also about vultures that has almost wiped out from Goan soil.
Pronoy Baidya points out that the records show that Indian Vulture was known to breed till 2009 at Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. Also white-rumped vultures were frequently seen at the Goa Meat Complex, Usgao. However, its population declined all over due to rampant utilisation of NSAID in treatment of cattle worldwide. But, now it is slowly improving due to constant efforts by the Government of India and other non-profits like the Bombay Natural History Society.
Can they be brought back to Goa? Pronoy says, “Today, sighting a vulture is a much-celebrated event in the state. To bring back these species to Goa, anthropogenic stress must be reduced, and areas should be controlled for feral dog population.” He suggests for reintroduction program targeting the Chorla Ghat section of Mhadei wildlife sanctuary where this species was known to breed.
Along with these rare birds the book also lists birds like Asian Wooly-Necked Stork, and Lesser Adjutant, which are frequently seen in and around our paddy fields and wetlands. Pronoy points out that globally the population of these birds have declined between 20 to 40 per cent over the last 40 years. And thus it puts a responsibility on us to protect these habitats. “Our region holds a major chunk of the global population of these species. It is important to prevent fragmentation of forest patches outside protected areas to ensure ample nesting site for the Asian woolly-necked stork whereas the Lesser Adjutant is threatened by mistaken plastic ingestion which requires comprehensive solid waste management.” The book also mentions that how forest species like Malabar pied hornbill, Green Imperial pigeon, and Asian Grey Hornbill are under threat.
Along with bird species the book also highlights about the habitats like the plateaus of Goa. They are not studied much as they are considered wasteland as they look barren and dry post-monsoons and thus now are a hub for mega projects.
Pronoy points out about a recent research from Goa using insects as a model system. It has shown the importance of plateaus for providing valuable ecosystem services. He adds, “We may locally face increased insect pest attacks on agricultural crops and reduction in soil fertility all because the importance of plateau biodiversity is being undermined. Currently the endemic Malabar Lark which is known to breed in the state and should be well distributed across Goa is starkly missing from most of the plateau regions.” Pronoy hopes that this book becomes a catalyst to move policy and decision making.