Articles

Awareness About Birds, A New Step in Organic Farming

By Ranjit K. Sahu

The trend of organic farming based on zero pesticide and chemicals is being promoted across the globe as it has been found to be more environmental friendly compared to the high tech chemical based agriculture in practice after green revolution. Adding to this is the fact that organic farming recycles many farm by products as well as maximizes utilization of components of the existent ecosystems creating less economic burden on the farming community. Though often overlooked, birds form an important component of any agrarian community whether they are domesticated or wild. They are intricately related to the health of the surrounding ecosystems as they help manage the population of several insects and pests as well as help in dispersal of seeds of wild trees and plants, resulting in the continuous seeding of local endemic plants and maintaining the biodiversity. Ground dwelling birds forage in the soil turning the soil and making it more porous as well as enriching it with their droppings.

Thus, birds would form an inseparable part of the ability of local communities to incorporate the principles of organic farming and obtain sustainability under the conditions of ensuing climate change. Both rural and urban landscapes across India have been changing due to development of infrastructure, loss of forests and green cover as well as diversion of land for industrial purposes. These have effectively reduced the habitat of birds and compromised their ability to feed and reproduce. The effects of climate change, environmental pollution and unchecked human activities has led to further interference with the routine life cycle of birds which can have long term cascading effects on the ecosystems as well as the farming enterprises switching back to organic farming or based on traditional farming practices. The biggest challenge of modern agriculture is insect pest control where a multitude of chemicals some of which are toxic to humans as well are applied. Having a healthy population of birds that are insectivorous in nature around farms may be an effective way of managing insect pests of crops.

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Few of the bird species found in the locality: (a) Parrot (feeding on the fruits of Inga dulcis, a tree species prevalent and adapted to drought), (b) peacocks (feed on several fruits ,insects and small reptiles), (c) drongos (feed on  insects in the air or ground), (d) Jungle babblers ( feed on insects), (e) bee eaters (feed on flying insects and wasps and bees), (f) bulbuls (feed on insects)   and (g) kingfisher (feeds on several types of vertebrates and invertebrates in land and water).

The existence of birds has been taken for granted but they have been vanishing from many regions of the world and includes the common birds that were once seen in large numbers like the sparrows. With recurrent weather adversity striking many regions of the country and prevalent drought like situations in south India, the ability of birds to cope up is also being severely compromised. To help the birds survive and maintain their roles in the ecosystems, it  is important to make the public aware of the importance of birds in our locality and their relevance to our economic activities like agriculture as well as general well being. While the trend of having bird baths and bird feeders is noticed in the west such systems are yet to develop in the public conscience in India. Summer time is when most birds look for respite from the scorching heat and dry winds. Though people place water for birds in their yards in some places, the practice is sporadic and few and far between regions. Thus, a means to generate active participation in public is required.  (The campus at Centre for Improved Rural Health and  Environmental Protection (CIRHEP)  as a practice provides birds with water).

Children are the most active leaners and making them aware of the environment is a step forward to dissipating the concepts of birds in the society. Children often discuss the things they learn at school or outside with their parents and are an effective though unacknowledged form of social information dissipation. Combining this with the people passionate for environment, CIRHEP had planned a one day interactive activity in their campus to motivate children about birds. While no statistics is available on the flux in the bird population in Nilakottai due to changes in weather patterns, it is assumed that the recurrent drought like situation from several years would have affected at least some species of birds adversely.

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Children actively building support systems for birds to rest or feed.(a-c) Process of building a support and (d) with a basket like structure suitable to act as  bird feeder or resting -place.

The school students were thus invited to a general interactive session and presentation about birds with Dr. Ranjit K. Sahu (presently employed in the University of Virginia, USA) who was touring the area and has a keen interest in sustainable development goals and their implementation around the world. The half day workshop involved learning about birds and their activity in the locality and elsewhere. The children were initially introduced to different bird habitats and their role in the ecosystems using photographs. There after the students were motivated to build structures for birds to nest or rest using locally available materials.

The workshop was carried out and facilitated by CIRHEP. It involved Mr. P .M. Mohan (President),  Ms. K. A. Chandra (Secretary) and the staff members, Mr. P. Rajkumar, Mr. M. Sivahari, Satham Hussain, R. Thavamani and A. Chinnathambi who helped with the logistics and execution. The activity is a new approach involving students in the local communities to create social awareness about birds while educating them about their environment in an active and lucid manner.

About the Author: Dr. Ranjit K. Sahu is a freelance writer currently located in Virginia, USA. His interests include education, environment, sustainability and health care in the underprivileged regions of the world.

 

3 Comments

  1. Excellent content. Keep it up, Ranjit .
    We are with you.
    It is the urgent need of the hour.
    God will bless you.

  2. Absolutely true!we need to be more sensitive towards birds who play vital role in our ecosystem. Living in a big city I too miss the humble house sparrow!good initiative and keep spreading the awareness

  3. O K R Sivagnanam

    Connection between birds and organic farming well established!
    We cannot therefore take them for granted, and an awareness created will go a long way in reaching the not-so-easy goal of spreading and then executing the concept of organic farming in a big way!
    Congrats for your efforts in this direction!