Bird species decline in Manipal amid habitat loss

Udupi: The Manipal Birders' Club has been consistently organising Sunday Bird Walks to document the bird species in and around Manipal. The team, which tracks about 40-50 bird species weekly, has reported a significant decline in bird populations due to habitat loss over the years. "Once home to 60-70 species, many birding trails in Manipal, particularly in areas like Golikatte, Herga, Eshwar Nagar, and Shantinagar, now show reduced numbers, raising alarms among conservationists," said Tejasvi S Acharya, trustee, Manipal Birding and Conservation Trust.
He told TOI that the weekly Sunday bird walks, which have been held for the past 12 years, are part of the conservation efforts."A group of like-minded individuals, including students, start at 6.30am every week, covering one trail per walk—a distance of 1 to 2km," he said.
The team has identified about eight trails, including Golikatte, Saralebettu, Herga, Eshwarnagar, Shantinagar, Dasharath Nagar, and Shettybettu. The walks focus on documenting and observing the region's bird species and are at times followed by group discussions.
Acharya stressed the need to control unnecessary tree felling in the name of development. "Many private properties are now being turned into concrete jungles. People often cut trees as soon as a project is finalised, even if it is scheduled to start a couple of years later. We urge the public and builders to minimise ecological damage. There should be a balance between development and conservation by promoting eco-friendly practices, such as integrating green zones into construction projects and protecting existing habitats," he said.
In addition to bird walks, the team engages with the local community, giving talks at schools and fostering discussions on conservation. Acharya also stressed the need to protect water bodies as well. Alongside Acharya, regular participants like seniors Nataraj, Suchitra, Arun Prabhu, and his wife Kumudini Prabhu, are dedicated to documenting the birds of Manipal regularly.