Significant Bird Population Declines in India, with Vultures Suffered the Most

As you are aware India has lost a significant part of its avian population in the matter of a few past decades and between 1992 to 2002 some quite special species including vultures have experienced drastic declines. The Living Planet Report 2024 carries this big issue with only India having its own section on birds

The Decline of Vultures in India

• White-rumped Vulture populations fell 98%, those of Indian Vulture & Slender-billed Vultures fell 93%.
• Major threats are accidental poisoning, electrocution and loss of habitat due to land use change.

Impact on Insects

• A 20-year decline in grassland butterfly species of 33% across 22 countries.
• The number of native bees in Odisha has decreased from 2002 by 80%
• detailed data on other pollinators add uncertainty to a fuller understanding of biodiversity loss.

Tiger Population, Good News

• India has seen an increase in tiger numbers rising from 3,682 to 3,925 mainly due to stable population growth of tigers in central India and the Shivalik Hills.

Urbanization and land-use change drivers of biodiversity loss

• Chennai's pace of urbanization led to serious loss of wetlands contributing to its climate change vulnerability

Conclusion

• A biodiversity crisis, with decreasing bird species, vanishing insects and large scale destruction of natural habitats is on the rise in India.
• The wildlife of India is under immediate threat and requires conservation.