Critically Endangered Birds in Uttarakhand

Birds in Uttarakhand are a litmus test of the stability of Uttarakhand’s Ecosystem. The prosperity of Uttarakhand in terms of its avian (bird) variety is proportional to the prosperity of Uttarakhand’s natural ecosystem.

Bird lovers and ornithologists are aware of this relation; that’s why they keep on raising their voice for the protection and preservation of Birds in Uttarakhand.

That said, the news shared today, is not good.

Birds in Uttarakhand are endangered and so is Uttarakhand’s fragile ecosystem.

As per the report of the scientific institutions like Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai and Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology (Slim Ali is also called Father of Indian ornithology) and Natural History, Coimbatore, -- A number of birds are on the verge of extinction in India.
And out of the 14 Critically Endangered species of birds from India; SIX are from Uttarakhand.

Below are the bird species found in Uttarakhand, which are listed as Critically Endangered, by the IUCN Red List version 2010.1 Annexure:

[Critically Endangered means the population of the species is so low, that unless intervened, the specie will extinct.]

Critically Endangered Birds in Uttarakhand:

Indian White-backed Vulture_______Gyps bengalensis______Critically endangered

Indian White-backed Vulture

Indian Vulture___________ Gyps indicus________Critically endangered

Indian Vulture

Slender-billed Vulture___________ Gyps tenuirostris________Critically endangered

Slender-billed Vulture

Red-headed Vulture___________ Sarcogyps calvus________Critically endangered

Red-Headed Vulture

Sociable Plover___________Vanellus gregarius________Critically endangered

Sociable Plover

Himalayan Quail___________Ophrysia superciliosa________Endemic (country/region) Critically endangered (possibly extinct)

Himalayan Quail

[NOTE: The Blocked words are the botanical names of the Birds. The first word, with a capital letter represents Genus and the second word, with first letter small represents Specie]

I’m not sure what exactly has caused the above birds to reach this stage. But loss of natural habitat and pollution can be the possible causes. That apart, irresponsible and unregulated use of certain drugs, like diclofenac , a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, on dairy animals (responsible for critically endangering or extinction of vulture population) , can also be a major cause.