Science City celebrates World Wildlife Week, experts stress on the need to save birds

Pushpa Gujral Science City celebrated World Wildlife Week byorganizing two webinars on World Habitat day and Birds at Science City whichwere attended by about 200 students from different educational institutions ofPunjab.

 
Dr. Neelima Jerath, Director General, Science City, givingintroductory remarks at the occasion said that birds are the most beautiful andimportant co-inhabitants of human beings on the earth and constitute anintegral part of the ecosystem. They render several ecosystem services beingpollinators, seed dispersal agents, natural biological agents for pest control,providers of protein rich food and some of them act as scavengers. Birds areintelligent species and exhibit cultural, social and variety of courtshipbehaviors through their songs and dances.

“They also have an important aesthetic value. She informedthat 1357 bird species have been reported from India out of which about 400bird species are found in Punjab. However changes in climate and habitat canadversely affect them, hence the need to provide proper habitat to thesebeautiful  birds” she said, adding that PGSCwas getting a bird survey of its campus conducted through World Wildlife Fund.

 
Mr. Rakesh Khatri, Nest Man of India, Founder Eco RootsFoundation, Delhi was the key Speaker during webinar on World Habitat Day whohas been recognized by Limca Book of Records for making the maximum number ofhandmade nests. He delivered a talk on “Save the Sparrows: How to build anest”.

 
During his talk, Mr Khatri said that House Sparrow is one ofthe most ubiquitous birds and is one of the most familiar winged companions ofhuman beings.  The population of housesparrows is on decline and one of the main reasons for decline is the loss ofhabitat due to changes in the environment and modern lifestyle. Further, heinformed that Eco Roots Foundation has initiated a step to save these birds bymaking handmade birdhouses.  Till date,more than 125000 jute nests and 40,000 tetra pack nests have been made.

 
Ms. Gitanjali Kanwar, Coordinator-Rivers, Wetland and WaterPolicy India Harike wetland said that Birds are an important part of urbanwildlife. Urban birds are showing significant change in species composition andnumbers compared to the last few decades which was mostly due to anthropogenicactivities/set-ups and their impact on biodiversity. Further, she made apresentation of 65 birds surveyed till date at PGSC campus. She emphasized theneed to organize nature walks for the students to Science City to make themlearn about different bird species, their identification, voices etc.

 
Dr. Rajesh Grover, Director Science City said that birdshelp in maintaining the ecological balance as these feed on small insects andact in the natural pest control process. The heritage trees at Science Cityalso provide natural habitat for the birds, he added.