Zee Media Bureau
Nagpur: Citing the importance of human role in the preservation of wildlife, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has urged to conserve species, particularly the endangered ones, through research and people support.
BNHS has always been advocating human intervention through scientific research combined with people participation to ensure effective conservation of the remaining wildlife and wilderness areas.
While the latest list by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) includes 15 bird species from India as critically endangered, the organisation has said that there are examples such as spot-billed pelican whose condition has improved due to human intervention.
The BNHS said that all the threatened bird species on the IUCN list, including the critically endangered species as well as their respective habitats, require immediate attention and conservation action. It also stated that most of these species are declining drastically in terms of numbers and distribution range and many are now on the verge of extinction. However, when appropriate conservation action is taken, based on science and with the involvement of local communities, several other species have bounced back.
Giving example, Dr Asad Rahmani, Director, BNHS India said that he spot-billed Pelican was earlier categorised as ‘vulnerable’, but is now better off and regarded as ‘near threatened’. The improvement has been primarily because of protection provided to its breeding sites, not just by the forest department, but also by the local villagers.
He further added that such instances of community participation in conservation can be observed across India from the Khonoma Conservation Reserve in Nagaland, to the hornbill habitats in horticultural landscape of Konkan in Maharashtra, and the bird congregations in Kheechan in Rajasthan.
Calling for conservation of species such as the Great Indian Bustard, Bengal Florican and Black Breasted Parrotbill, Dr Rahmani noted that strong conservation action, based on science is also required for several other species. Actions should be species and site specific since problems vary across geographical regions.
