INDIA’S MIGRATORY BIRD SPECIES

Subject: Environment

Context: After a two-year lull in the wake of Cyclone Gaja that ravaged the Cauvery delta districts, birds have, in good numbers, visited the Vaduvur, Udhayamarthandam and Point Calimere sanctuaries.

Concept:

• India’s migratory species- The Asian elephant, great Indian bustard, Bengal florican, oceanic white-tip shark, urial and smooth hammerhead shark are among the major migratory species.
• At the global level, more than 650 species are listed under the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) appendices and India, with over 450 species, plays a very important role in their conservation.
• Largest among the migratory species- The bird family Muscicapidae has the highest number of migratory species and the next highest group of migratory birds is raptors or birds of prey, such as eagles, owls, vultures and kites which are from the family Accipitridae.
• The largest group of mammals is definitely bats belonging to the family Vespertilionidae and Dolphins are the second-highest group of mammals with nine migratory species of dolphins.
• Fishes make up another important group of migratory species. The total number of migratory fish species from India under CMS now stands at 24.

Flyways used by the migratory birds:

• There are three flyways (flight paths used by birds): the Central Asian flyway, East Asian flyway and East Asian–Australasian Flyway.

Decline in bird’s population:

• Recently, according to the State of India’s Birds 2020 (SoIB) report, there are growing threats to the population of these species. They face a growing threat from loss of habitat due to human activity, the widespread presence of toxins including pesticides, hunting and trapping for the pet trade.

Additional Information: 

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI):

• It is a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India and was established in 1916 as a national centre for faunistic survey and exploration of the resources.
• The headquarters of ZSI is based at Kolkata.
• Objective- Its major objectives are to study of fauna of states, conducting survey on the species, research and documentation on various aspects of animal taxonomy in Indian subcontinent.
• ZSI publishes Red Data Book on Indian Animals and it was first published in 1983 which is similar to Red Data Book published by IUCN.