SAVE BIRDS

From Sampath’s Desk:

 

SAVE BIRDS

(WORLD ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY)

(the third Friday of May)

 

 

Birds offer a visual treat to human eyes, more so for tiny tots and toddlers who rejoice, cheer, greet and feel ecstatic seeing them. Some bird species had already met with extinction, thanks to massive urbanization, man’s scant care for them and creation of inhospitable conditions for the winged creatures to survive and sustain themselves, mobile towers with indiscreet high radiation levels, etc being the latest main culprit and spoiler.

          

The 100^th death anniversary of Martha, the passenger pigeons, once an abundant bird species that was seen flocking the US skies in the 19^th century that went into extinction on Sep. 1, 1914, was observed by the Cincinnati Zoo, U.S. on 5.9.2014. And much like the regretful extinction of the jumbo Dinosaurs, it was the craze, mindless and avaricious acts of the human-race that brought about the annihilation of some rare species. Let us put an end to this senseless apathy.

 

Populations of some birds like parrots, mynahs, cuckoos, pigeons, doves, storks, nightingales, swallows, turkey-cocks, larks, etc. are slowly and steadily on the decrease. Who knows, many of us, especially children, would have to see them only in old literature, as part of old sculptures in our ancient temples, in print form in books or just heard of them, etc. A typical example is ‘Tamizh Annapparavai’! Sparrows are now one of the most endangered species. We should not allow such small birds to perish like what had happened to Marthas and Dinosaurs in the past. Let us wake up from our self-imposed slumber, become alive to the grim reality, and take concrete steps to create a facilitative environment for survival of birds. With man continually felling the trees, destroying forest areas, disturbing natural fertile environment, and insensibly poaching animals and birds, the lives of the winged creatures are increasingly imperiled. Trespassing into and destroying animal kingdom and birds’ habitats for selfish-ends, is already considerably shrinking their movement space and also population. It is better we realized the stark reality and made amends before it became too late.

 

We Indians should feel happy for the temperate climate, hospitable environment, eco-friendly atmosphere, green cover, etc. that winter offers to our country, which attract winged visitors even from distant nook and cranny of the world to make our sub-continent their temporary home for a sojourn away from their native environs, before they went back home. They do so to escape from the extreme, inhospitable and hostile climatic conditions and environmental issues in the places where they normally live. Many bird sanctuaries hosting these feathered species in India – a cynosure to human eyes – are a matter of pleasure and delight during such times when people in large numbers throng the sanctuaries. (Study of birds and their movements is called ‘Ornithology’).

 

Motley coloured birds enjoy a safe haven, asylum and retreat in Indian natural settings in an almost free-from-poach milieus laced with warmth of hospitality during that season. They attract tourists and ornithological aficionados including of course children. The icing on the cake is the soft-trapping by photographers and videographers of the myriad lovely birds and their movements including interesting bird-races organized in some parts of the country. It is really an awareness generator highlighting the importance to preserve and sustain the infinite bounties of Mother Nature including our winged friends. Some birds, animals and other species of the yore can now be found only in text books. Hunting them for food and other purposes, disturbances to ecosystem and biodiversity, unchecked pollution, global warming and resultant climate change, constantly changing geographical and demographic contours, etc. have played havoc resulting in serious existential hardships to them. Natural disasters also add to their woes.

 

Let us remember the golden saying of the Tamil Bard - Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi - an avid Nature lover too - who thundered thus, “Even crows and sparrows belong to our (human) race.” Mankind should refrain from doing anything that could adversely affect the serene environment for the soft species, ecosystem and biodiversity; instead, it is for us to protect them. Let us live in communion with Mother Nature and give enough space for animals and birds to co-exist with humans.

 

                                            

R.SAMPATH

24/5/2020