Chennai is gearing up for an important event: a statewide census of predatory birds on January 31 and February 1, organized by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. This effort is crucial, as many predatory birds, including eagles, owls, and hawks, are facing extinction globally.
These birds play a vital role in our ecosystem by controlling populations of small animals, snakes, lizards, and even other birds. Unfortunately, factors such as environmental degradation, climate change, deforestation, and hunting have pushed them closer to extinction.
Experts emphasize that losing these birds would disrupt the food chain and throw natural balance off-kilter. In response, India and many other nations are stepping up conservation efforts.
According to Forest department officials, the upcoming survey aims to gather essential data on raptors’ habitats, their current situation, and the threats they face. Supriya Sahu, Tamil Nadu’s Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, shared on social media that around 4,000 staff and volunteers will use grid patterns to assess raptor diversity, abundance, and density. This initiative is led by the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation.
Tamil Nadu is home to about 65 species of raptors, which can be found in forests, agricultural lands, wetlands, and even garbage dumps. Each species has a role in maintaining ecological balance, highlighting the interconnectedness of all living things.
Historically, similar conservation efforts have focused on species like the California condor and the bald eagle, both of which faced significant threats but are now recovering due to dedicated measures. Likewise, Chennai’s initiative is part of a broader global trend to safeguard endangered wildlife.
As communities become aware of these issues, social media is buzzing with support for the raptor survey, showcasing a growing interest in environmental conservation.
Each species, no matter how small, contributes to the health of our planet. Protecting these predatory birds is not just about saving them; it’s about preserving the entire ecosystem for future generations.
For more insights on wildlife conservation, you can check reports from trusted sources like WWF.
Source link
PREDATORY BIRDS, BIRD CENSUS, RAPTORS, TAMIL NADU, OVER 4,000 FOREST DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS AND VOLUNTEERS WILL CARRY OUT THE SURVEY
