Bird species on the decline as Maharashtra grasslands shrink

The grasslands of Nannaj, Maharashtra, lie within a mosaic of afforested woodland plots, human settlements, private and public grazing lands and agricultural fields. The Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary is also here. These grasslands are witnessing varying changes in the landscape and its avian community.

A study in five villages – Vadala, Akolekati, Karamba, Mardi, and Narotewadi – of Nannaj, Solapur district, observed bird species trends over a 13-year period from 2009-2021. While the citizen science app, eBird, records 199 species in Nannaj, the study monitored 45, of which seven were migratory. It found that smaller-bodied species that were diet generalists – able to feed in several habitats – showed stability or increases in population.

However, large-bodied, specialist birds like the great Indian bustard, showed “strong, consistent declines”. Some smaller-bodied species that were specialists, such as the great grey shrike and red-necked falcon, were also strongly declining.

Deserts, grasslands and shrublands, collectively called Open Natural Ecosystems make up at least 10% of India’s landmass. These are dry, semi-humid or semi-arid regions that support a diversity of fauna, like the Indian wolf, blackbuck and the critically endangered great Indian bustard.

Many threatened species of flora are also found here. However, 68% of India’s open natural ecosystems are classified as wastelands, and less than...

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