Peacock Population Rises In India, Sparrows Remain Stable But 52 Per Cent Bird Species Have Declined 

Around 52 per cent of 261 Indian bird species analysed by researchers are expected to decline in the long term, Livemint has reported.

This analysis has been carried out by scientists belonging to 10 research and conservation organisations across India based on observations uploaded by 15,000 bird watchers.

This is the first time such a study has been carried out in India.

The researchers were thus able to determine long-term trends for 261 out of 867 species. As per this data 52 per cent of the species have declined since 2000 and 22 per cent of them have declined strongly.

Of the remaining species, population of 43 per cent of the species has been stable while 5 per cent have witnessed an uptick.

To analyse immediate trends, 146 species were analysed out of which around 80 per cent are declining in population and 50 per cent are declining strongly. Out of these the most vulnerable species are raptors and migratory shoebirds.

As per experts, birds depending upon forests, grasslands and open-habitats are declining at a faster rate. Birds depending on invertebrates for their food too have witnessed a decline.

The study though has a silver lining after it found that the population of house sparrow has remained stable over the last 25 years and the peacock (peafowl) has witnessed a general long term increase. In total 126 Indian bird species have seen their population stabilising or increasing in the long term.