IUCN Red List of Birds

According   to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list of birds, the information contained in the IUCN Red list version 2013.

indicates that 15 species of birds from India are critically endangered. This was stated by Dr. M.Veerappa Moily, Union Minister for Environment and Forests, The details of the bird species reported from India which is given below :-

Details of bird species reported from India which are listed as Critically Endangered in IUCN Red List version 2013.2

1.Baer`s Pochard-Aythyabaeri

2.Forest Owlet-Heteroglauxblewitti

3.Great Indian Bustard-Ardeotisnigriceps

4.Bengal Florican-Houbaropsisbengalensis

5.Siberian Crane-Grusleucogeranus

6.Spoon-billed Sandpiper-Eurynorhynchuspygmeus

7.Sociable Lapwing-Vanellusgregarius

8.Jerdon`s Courser-Rhinoptilusbitorquatus

9.White backed Vulture-Gyps bengalensis

10.Red-headed Vulture-Sarcogypscalvus

11.White-bellied Heron-Ardeainsignis

12.Slender-billed Vulture-Gyps tenuirostris

13.Indian Vulture-Gyps indicus

14.Himalayan Quail-Ophrysiasuperciliosa

15.Pink-headed Duck-Rhodonessacaryophyllacea

           The major reasons for decline in the population of birds are: loss, modification, fragmentation and degradation of habitat, environmental contaminants, poaching, land use changes particularly conversion of large areas to intensive crop cultivation, changes in cropping pattern due to various reasons including implementation of irrigation schemes, increased pesticide usage and livestock-grazing, high levels of disturbance, developmental activities like mining and hydel projects. Threats posed by infrastructure development, such as collisions with vehicles, power-lines and wind turbines, further exacerbate the situation.

  The Minister further stated that the steps taken by Government for conservation of remaining habitats in wet lands, grass lands and forests and river line across the country and species dependent on them are given below.

1.    Financial and Technical assistance is provided to State/Union Territory Governments for protection and Management of Protected Areas as well as other forests under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

2. India is signatory to several major international conventions relating to conservation and management of wildlife, including endangered species of birds. These are, Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

3. The Central Government has enacted the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for protection of wildlife including birds. The Act, inter alia, provides for creation of Protected Areas for protection of wild life and also provides for punishment for hunting of specified fauna including birds specified in the schedules I to IV thereof. Important habitats of birds have been notified as Protected Areas under the Act

4. Wetland (Conservation and Management)Rules 2010 have been framed for protection of wetlands, in the States, which are habitats of birds. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-System also provides assistance to the States for management of wet lands including Ramsar sites in the country.

5. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established for control of illegal trade in wildlife, including endangered species of birds and their parts and products.

6.     Research and monitoring activities on birds are promoted by the Government through reputed research organizations. Wildlife Institute of India, Bombay Natural History society and Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History are some of the research organizations undertaking research on conservation of birds.

7.  The Indian Government has banned the veterinary use of diclofenac drug that has caused rapid population decline of Gyps vulture across the Indian Subcontinent. Conservation Breeding Programmes to conserve these vulture species have been initiated at Pinjore (Haryana), Buxa (West Bengal) and Rani, Guwahati (Assam) by the Bombay Natural History Society.