Wildlife – Manipur News

BNHS announces Sálim Ali Bird Count Results

Sálim Ali Bird Count records 15,638 observations, One Critically Endangered and four Endangered species spotted across India MUMBAI, November 25: Sálim Ali Bird Count, an initiative recently re-launched by BNHS-India

Sálim Ali Bird Count records 15,638 observations, One Critically Endangered and four Endangered species spotted across India

Photo: Asif N Khan

MUMBAI, November 25: Sálim Ali Bird Count, an initiative recently re-launched by BNHS-India in association with Bird Count India, was successful, with active participation by people from across India. The activity was conducted on 15^th November, to commemorate the birth anniversary (12^th September) of Late Dr Sálim Ali. Enthusiastic bird watchers uploaded their observations on the eBird website. A total of 15,638 observations were recorded by over 280 people from 22 states covering a total of 514 species during the day. The observations were collated from 549 lists, since each individual was required to prepare different lists for different locations covered.

Highlights of the bird count

Among the various lists, 383 were unique lists, since they were uploaded by single individuals; whereas the rest had multiple contributors in each list. A total effort of 805 person-hours was utilized in bird watching. Since early morning is the best time for birding, maximum number of people (284) ventured out in the early hours between 6.00 am to 9.00 am, with the enthusiasm holding strong till noon when 104 people continued their bird watching. Though evenings are also said to be good for bird watching, enthusiasm faded through the day with only 73 bird watchers participating in the count during the fag end of the day.

Photo: Asif N Khan

Out of the 514 species of birds spotted during the bird count, 30 species were from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Birds 2015. White-rumped Vulture was the only bird spotted from the ‘Critically Endangered’ category, whereas four birds from the ‘Endangered’ category were spotted, viz. Black-bellied Tern, Egyptian Vulture, Great Knot and Steppe Eagle. The latter two were recently uplisted (increase in threat level) to ‘Endangered’ category from ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Least Concerned’ respectively.

Commenting on this initiative, Dr Deepak Apte, Director, BNHS said, “Sálim Ali Bird Count is one initiative which connects every common man walking on the street to the world of birds. This presents an opportunity to not only involve common people in bird watching, but also make them ambassadors for bird watching. We are very happy to revive Sálim Ali Bird Count and aim to scale it up further on the pan-India level through our existing network.”

State-wise break up

Birders from 22 states covering 99 districts of India participated in the count. Maharashtra ranked first with a total of 123 lists, followed by Kerala with 59 lists and Karnataka and Tamil Nadu with 40 lists each. The observations were divided across four regions in order to understand the region-wise distribution. The table below documents the number of lists uploaded from various states in the different regions.

Dr. Raju Kasambe, IBA Programme Manager, BNHS-India, said “Indian ornithology needs help of each and every bird watcher based in the remotest locations of the country. If everyone contributes their observations on citizen science forums like eBird, in coming years we will have good understanding about the temporal and spatial distribution of birds found in India. Slowly, we will get an idea of the impact of climate change and other factors on the birds in India. So, we request every bird watcher to encourage bird watching among the general public and share data for the benefit of science”. The count will now be organized every year on the Sunday succeeding 12^th September to encourage bird watching and spread awareness.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/bnhs-announces-salim-ali-bird-count-results/

Eight more birds from India added to IUCN Red List

A clear indicator of threat to bird habitats like grasslands and wetlands MUMBAI, October 31: Year after year, the condition of birds, which are one of the most obvious indicators

A clear indicator of threat to bird habitats like grasslands and wetlands

Steppe Eagle (Photo: Siddhesh Surve)

MUMBAI, October 31: Year after year, the condition of birds, which are one of the most obvious indicators of the state of the natural environment, is deteriorating further, due to factors like habitat destruction and unsustainable development over the last couple of decades. The latest Red List of birds released by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for 2015 shows that a total of 180 bird species in India are now threatened, as against 173 last year. Only one species has moved out of the Red List. The latest additions to the list, which are based on studies conducted by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS-India), BirdLife International (UK-based) and other partner organizations, reveal that bird habitats like grasslands and wetlands are under threat.

Species added to Red List

Among the eight species newly added to the Red List, five have been uplisted (a sign of increased threat) from Least Concerned to Near Threatened category. These include Northern Lapwing (a grassland bird) and four wetland birds, viz. Red Knot, Curlew Sandpiper, Eurasian Oystercatcher and Bar-Tailed Godwit. Two other wetland birds, viz. Horned Grebe and Common Pochard have been uplisted from Least Concerned to Vulnerable. Steppe Eagle (a raptor from grasslands), which is a regular winter visitor to the Indian subcontinent, has been uplisted from Least Concerned to Endangered. In this bunch of negative news, there is a little positive news that the passage migrant – European Roller – has been downlisted (a sign of decreased threat) from Near Threatened to Least Concerned. In 2014, the story was similar with eight new species added to the Red List, viz. Woolly-necked Stork, Andaman Teal, Andaman Green Pigeon, Ashy-headed Green Pigeon, Red-headed Falcon, Himalayan Griffon, Bearded Vulture and Yunnan Nuthatch.

Dr Deepak Apte, Director BNHS, said “The list of threatened species keeps on increasing with every assessment. That itself symbolizes that our efforts for conservation of species are not adequate. We need to logically rethink the developmental agenda, especially for the habitats and areas where these species exist. Some of the neglected habitats should therefore be a part of protected areas or marked as ecologically sensitive sites.”

Habitat loss and other threats

Birds face a range of threats in today’s times, among which habitat loss is common to most species in the Red List. Grasslands, wetlands, forests and other habitats are getting destroyed at an alarming rate, primarily due to unsustainable developmental activities. For instance, Red Knot, which is usually found in coastal areas, mudflats and sandy beaches, is facing several threats like destruction of coastal ecosystems, land reclamation, pollution, over-exploitation of its main prey – shellfish – and illegal hunting. Similarly, Great Knot is threatened by degradation and loss of wetland habitat. Another wetland bird – Curlew Sandpiper – is under threat due to factors like reservoir and marshland alteration by commercial salt works, habitat degradation because of diminishing rainfall and hunting, particularly along the south-east coast of India near Point Calimere.

Apart from loss of grassland habitat, the other reason for decline of Steppe Eagle, which mostly scavenges on animal carcasses, is the use of veterinary diclofenac that causes renal failure in these birds, as revealed from the research conducted by BNHS and other partner organisations.

Moreover, just like the Steppe Eagle, older BNHS studies had revealed that three vulture species, viz. White-backed, Slender-billed and Long-billed have been severely affected by veterinary diclofenac. Subsequent research had also highlighted the diclofenac threat to Red-headed and Egyptian Vulture. The status of vultures in India continues to be precarious, even as efforts are on at various levels (with active BNHS participation) to conserve them, such as captive breeding, carcass surveys, advocacy, ban on veterinary diclofenac, reduction in vial size of human diclofenac and identification of vulture safe zones for future release of captive birds.

Global trend

Worldwide, 40 more bird species have now been included in the Red List. These include many wading shore birds, those from other habitats, six out of 11 vulture species in Africa and other iconic species like Atlantic Puffin, European Turtle-dove and Helmeted Hornbill. On a positive note, 23 species have been downlisted to lower threat categories. In some cases, this reflects a better understanding of how they are faring, while in others this reflects recoveries as a result of conservation action, including Seychelles Warbler and Chatham Petrel.

Commenting on the vulture decline in Africa, Dr Julius Arinaitwe, BirdLife International’s Africa Programme Director said, “As well as robbing the African skies of one of their most iconic and spectacular groups of birds, the rapid decline of the continent’s vultures has profound consequences for its people – as vultures help stop the spread of diseases by cleaning up rotting carcasses. However, now we are becoming aware of the sheer scale of the declines involved, there is still just enough time for conservationists to work with law-makers and local people, to make sure there is a future for these magnificent scavengers.”

Curlew Sandpiper (Photo: Parveen Shaikh)

Common Poachard (Photo: Nandkishore Dudhe)

Greater Knot (Photo: Parveen Shaikh)

Manipur State level wildlife photography contest held

IMPHAL, October 4: A state-level open wildlife photography contest was held today at the CC Higher Secondary School Imphal, under the aegis of the Forest Department, Government of Manipur as

Visitors checking the photos submitted for the State-level wildlife photography contest was held today at the CC Higher Secondary School Imphal.

IMPHAL, October 4: A state-level open wildlife photography contest was held today at the CC Higher Secondary School Imphal, under the aegis of the Forest Department, Government of Manipur as part of the 60th Wildlife Week observation.

The State has been observing the Wildlife Week during the last 60 years to spread awareness on the importance of wildlife in the maintenance of ecological balance.

Altogether 19 participants took part in the contest where various photographs of rare animal species found in the State were showcased during an exhibition.

`Wildlife has been closely associated with our legends and folklores, with our epics and history,` stated Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) L Lukhoi during a brief interaction with media persons in the sideline of the contest.

`Our lives would be very much poorer without these varied forms that build up the balance of nature.`

Wildlife preservation in fact implies active and planned wildlife management under which all forms of life would progress side by side with human progress, each in its own sphere of influence and utility and without any detriment to human interests, he added.

In order to arouse a general awakening in the common man in favour of protection of wildlife, the Forest department has been observing the Wildlife Week from October 2 to 8 every year, organising different activities related to wildlife for conservation to commemorate this week such as the photography contest, he said.

He also added that people should voluntarily participate in conservation of wildlife.

However the seriousness of celebrating Wildlife Week is not only to educate or create awareness about wildlife among young people like school children and general public but also work with the all stake holders like the State police force, paramilitary forces to encourage them and take an active role in conservation and preservation of wildlife in today`™s changing circumstances, Lukhoi added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/state-level-wildlife-photography-contest-held/

What killed the Python?

By: Deben Sharma A rare species of Python 12 ft long, gracefully beautiful, came in the fire line of a hunter’s gun somewhere 33 kms from Ukhrul town in… Read more »

By: Deben Sharma

No law or Act on protection of wild life, in place, saved the reptile, neither any environmentally aware local initiative worked in difference to the cultural tradition of targeting the Python as priced catch to celebrate and rejoice

A rare species of Python 12 ft long, gracefully beautiful, came in the fire line of a hunter’s gun somewhere 33 kms from Ukhrul town in Manipur. I just wished Python did not appear at all or disappeared suddenly. Alash! that was not to be! It is gone for ever for our children never to see again. It was shocking but a joyous event in that remote community to share the kill, so valued, to the taste of the cultural tradition.
What missed the point? No law or Act on protection of wild life, in place, saved the reptile, neither any environmentally aware local initiative worked in difference to the cultural tradition of targeting the Python as priced catch to celebrate and rejoice.

Yet, neither a python waited for a hunter or a hunter chance upon a python every now and then but for the belief in the medicinal value. And, perhaps for the new found commercial tag the rare animal carried on its head and hide for the elites that got the whole of the length: head and tale intact all the way to Ukhrul town for a display in the market but not in a formalin jar.

It seems to have simply disappeared in digestion channels without a trace to discover as though it never existed but to tell the story – the Python walked into the traditional cooking pot for the belief in better health!
Do the Pythons walk into every cooking pot? Nay, no wild animal are banned to walk into the traditional pot in the neighboring Angamis Village, Khonoma – the birth place of Legendary figure AZ Phizo. Few years ago, the Village Council of Khonoma resolved to ban hunting within the village territory and notified to all citizens of the village. The law was enforced with vigilance and fines. Youth society of the village felt the Village law was in contravention to their youthful hunting adventures, the technologies, skills and practices handed over to them from their elders – the traditional ways of life.

When the village council realized the displeasures of the youth, they immediately acted upon. Series of meetings were held with the youth in the village to reason out why there was a need to change the tradition and tame their hunting instincts. Youth finally agreed and became part of village the prohibitory law enforcement agency to give wild animals a chance to live their lives free from fears and to prevent them walking into the cooking pot in their ignorance. The Village Chief in his recent visit to Imphal shared their new found joy in the village with number of wild species returning to house in the reserve forests of the community in their increasing population in the village territory.

Children in the village wake up the calls and musical nodes of different birds and animals early in the morning, everyday to set out to schools. Still earlier, Nagaland state Government was more proactive to put a state-wide ban on hunting wild animals in close cooperation with Village councils. How far the law has been followed is different question.

In the meantime, prosperity comes to Khonoma village. The conscious decisions of the village elders to preserve their traditional cultural heritage, which cradled historic events and personalities, have brought dividend to the village by the inflow of tourists. But what has raised the curiosities of people from outside, even more, is their stories of befriending with the wild animals, managing the ecology rather than becoming a problem to it, and living in the cozy comforts of their natural environment. The days are much nearer, when every sound in the forest will sleep in silence in our hills, not even the pitter-patter of the rain drops to hear, then, we will go to Khonoma village, on educational tours with our children, to chat with the monkeys, to sing with the birds, and to play horse ridding on or wrestle with big fat Python friends in lap of natural environment.

On our return journey we will answer what killed the Python.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/what-killed-the-python/