India plays host
to a number of migratory birds in summers as well s in winters. To
protect themselves, these birds migrate thousands mile to warm
regions. Many species of migratory birds fly to India either in search
of feeding grounds or to escape the severe winter of their native habitat.
With the onset of winter season, migratory birds from Pacific and
South-East Asian countries come to India in large numbers in search of
food and shelter. Migratory birds generally come from South-East Asia
and the Siberian region which, at this time of year, reels under
severely cold conditions. Due to the severe cold, water freezes, thus
creating problems of food, water and shelter for these birds. The
numerous wildlife sanctuaries set up in India serve as their temporary
habitat, where bird lovers can get a glimpse of some of the rarest
species of birds in the world. It has been observed that global
warming affects birds and other wildlife in countless ways and can
even cause extinction. According to me all organisms depend on their
habitats for food water, shelter, and favorable conditions to breed
and raise young ones. Climate changes can affect organisms and their
habitats in many ways. In fact, global warming has affected all life
on earth from individual organisms to populations species, communities
and ecosystems. It can alter population sizes, species distribution,
plant and animal ecosystem functions and stability overall, the
intensity with which different species will be affected varies because
it depends on differences in their ecology and life history. Species
with small population sizes, restricted ranges, and limited ability to
move to different habitat are most at risk. Similarly, different
habitat and ecosystems will be impacted differently with those in
coastal, high-latitude, and high- altitude regions most vulnerable to
it. It has been found that flowering, egg-laying, and spawning is
occurring earlier for many species, in some cases it is disrupting
delicate cycles.
Birds are
showing us how the heavy hand of humanity is creating imbalance in
nature and causing ecological disruption in ways we are just beginning
to predict and comprehend. Experts predict that global warming will
mean dire consequences, even extinction for many bird species and this
analysis is pointing out to something very devastating if
precautionary measures are not taken well in time. The long term
picture is not good for many species, soon migrating birds will
disappear in future if they fail to adapt to changing weather patterns
which are result of climate change. According to a report high winds
and atmospheric instability could make it impossible for small birds
to muster the energy needed to fly the long distances to and from
their winter feeding grounds. Adverse climate change has led to
alterations in location, timing and length of migration routes as
well. A lot of migratory birds migrate earlier, change their routes or
in extreme cases abandon migration all together. Adaptation and
mitigation measures are needed to ensure that migratory birds cope
better with a changing climate. In order to combat the extra threat of
climate change we need to protect or create more habitats for
migratory birds and other animals including ponds and other wetland
sites to help birds complete their exhausting journey easily and in
even more difficult climatic conditions.
