Due to the reduction in air and noise pollution pursuant to the imposition of the nationwide lockdown to fight the Covid-19 outbreak, the population of birds and butterflies has surged significantly across the country.
“The lockdown has resulted in an increase in thepopulation of birds in the country. Resident birds are breeding much more thanbefore due to less human activity, no noise and air pollution,” wildlifebiologist Faiyaz Khudsar said.
Clanking of machinery in factories, buzzing of car horns andwhirring of vehicular engines have now been replaced by chirping of birds inthe dawn and the dusk.
Khudsar, who is also the scientist in-charge at the YamunaBiodiversity Park (YBP), said that due to the reduction in noise pollution,bird mating calls and songs are being understood by its mates clearly.
“Vocalisation is very important. When there is lessnoise pollution, it is very easy for birds to express themselves. Otherwise,there are many studies which suggest that due to noise pollution, birdssometimes fail to reach their mates,” Khudsar said.
He also said that at a place where there is less humanpopulation, aircraft are grounded and no vehicles ply on the road, birds tendto increase their flight or retain their historical geographical ranges.”Lockdown is a good time for birds,” he said, smiling.
Khudsar also alluded to the effect of air pollution onbutterflies and said that heavy metals emitted from the vehicles and hazeincreases their mortality. “Due to reduction in sulphur dioxide toxicity,flocks of ePioneer’ butterflies are flying around and are breeding more thanever before,” he said.
Vikrant Tongad, environment conservationist and founder ofSocial Action for Forest and Environment (SAFE), expressed happiness over theincrease in the population of birds and butterflies, but rued over themaintainability of the current situation post the lockdown period.”The rosysituation we see today is part of our policies, but there is lack ofimplementation in the country. We should move towards green energy; peopleshould be made aware and policies should be implemented,” Tongadsuggested.