Indian Darters
Prelims:
Environment
& Ecology
Mains:
GS Paper III: Environment –
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, Biodiversity
Current relevance:
Birders
and animal rescuers in Bengaluru have reported a sharp increase in Indian
Darters (Anhinga melanogaster) in distress across several city
lakes.
Highlights:
About Indian Darter:
1.
The
Indian Darter or Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster), commonly
known as the “Snakebird,” is a tropical water bird.
2.
It
is primarily piscivorous, with fish forming an important part of its
diet.
3.
It
is strongly associated with freshwater wetlands, including lakes,
rivers, reservoirs and other inland water bodies.
4.
It
possesses a long, slender neck.
5.
Its
characteristic sharp, spear-like beak is adapted for catching fish.
6.
The
structure of its beak also makes it particularly vulnerable to entanglement
in discarded waste.
7.
IUCN
Red List: Near
Threatened (NT)
Major Threats:
1.
Garbage
Dumping
Large quantities of human-generated
waste dumped into urban water bodies are creating physical hazards for
water birds such as Indian Darters.
2.
Entanglement
Their long, pointed beaks can become
trapped in plastic, nets and pieces of cloth, particularly discarded
fishing and packaging material.
3.
Feeding
Impairment
Once waste becomes entangled around the
beak, darters can lose their ability to hunt and feed effectively.
4.
Anatomical
Vulnerability
Unlike some raptors that can use their
legs to clean their beaks, darters find it difficult to remove objects once
they become stuck, increasing their vulnerability.
5.
Rescue
Challenges
i.
Darters
are flighted birds, making rescue operations difficult.
ii.
Rescue
teams use motorised boats, drone tracking and binoculars.
iii.
Early
intervention may cause the birds to fly away, while delayed intervention
can mean that birds are already severely weak and emaciated when
rescued.
Preventive and Conservation Measures:
1.
Responsible
Waste Disposal
Prevent dumping of plastic bags,
wrappers, fishing nets, packaging material and puja waste into lakes to
reduce wildlife entanglement.
2.
Cleaner
Urban Lakes
Reducing garbage accumulation in
Bengaluru's water bodies can help maintain safer feeding habitats for
aquatic birds.
3.
Rescue
and Monitoring
Continued monitoring by birdwatchers,
lake groups and animal rescuers, combined with appropriate rescue
techniques, can help identify and assist distressed birds.
4.
Public
Awareness
Proposed awareness posters can
educate citizens about the problem, its causes and possible solutions,
particularly the consequences of dumping seemingly harmless materials such as
pieces of cloth into lakes.
Source: THE HINDU - https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/garbage-dumping-in-bengalurus-lakes-turns-fatal-for-indian-darters/article71403504.ece/amp/