Birds vs environment in our society

Ample presence of birds (and bees) is considered to be the sign of environmental health. Scientists have been using this natural indicator to assess whether the environment of a place is degrading or desirable. For instance, the winged friends avoid to frequent the areas where there is increased use of toxic chemicals such as pesticides. Swallow, the summer migratory bird that visit Nepal from India every year, used to frequent Nepali homes, barns and fields in great flocks in the past. Environmental experts say that the presence of these birds have thinned considerably in recent decades. They attribute this absence to the widespread use of toxic chemicals in Nepal’s farms and gardens. Swallow alone may not be the single species that might have been repulsed by the excessive use of harmful chemicals. Scientific research can reveal what more environmental harms have been done by the rampant use of chemicals. Haphazard and careless use of chemicals has degraded the quality of fruits and vegetables. This might be the reason why we are witnessing the outbreak of new diseases. When three species of vultures in Nepal and India saw critical deaths and population decline in the early Nineties, it made international headlines. Scientific investigations were made to find out what was behind the massive deaths of these large fliers dubbed natural agent of environmental cleanliness. As these birds feed on the carcasses of dead cattle, they control the stinking filth and stop the spread of related diseases. Lab tests of the dead vultures showed they were killed by veterinary drug Diclofenac used to treat cattle. Later the drug was banned to save vultures and the use of a safer drug Meloxicam was prescribed.

An environment where birds thrive and frequent is also an environment where people also can live healthily. So, when birds avoid visiting certain areas, we should conclude that something is wrong from environmental point of view. Therefore, scientists are right to read the absence or presence of feathered friends to evaluate the environmental trends. Less frequency or absence of birds in the areas where their presence used to be sufficient in the past, indicates that new developments are takings place that are environmentally hostile. Such things are ultimately going to affect human health too. For instance, presence of birds will decline in the areas where tree felling and deforestation are massive. Trees and any greenery for that matter, is the sign of healthy environment and beautiful landscape. They enhance air quality and conserve water sources. We have heard the reports that massive deforestation along the Chure belt in southern Nepal has caused widespread drying up of water sources. A recent news report said that the number of winter migratory birds has declined considerably at Taudaha. Taudaha is a small wetland site to the south of the capital city Kathmandu where migratory birds visit every year. Some of the winter visitors come from faraway land and use this sanctuary as a stopover. Increased human encroachment is said to have degraded the environmental quality of this wetland and hence, the decreased number of winter visitors. There are less trees and more houses in the area. Farmers are using more toxic chemicals in the farms. This may be reason less birds have stopped here in course of their long journey.