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Book Review
Saving a precious natural heritage
KUMARAN SATHASIVAM
BIRDS IN OUR LIVES: Ashish Kothari; Universities Press (India) Private Limited, 3-6-747/1/A and 3-6-754/1, Himayatnagar, Hyderabad-500029. Rs.550.
Birds occupy a special place in our lives. They are among the most popular groups of animals. Given the diversity of birds — there are some 10,000 species of them worldwide — it is only to be expected that the association of birds with humans takes many forms. This association, a distinct feature in Indian life, is the major theme of this book.
The author begins by throwing open to the reader the rich gallery of Indian birds. As an experienced birdwatcher, he takes the novice through various habitats, pointing out the birds, describing them and their habits. The narration is no dry catalogue; the text flows easily. It is supported with anecdotes, extracts, colour photographs and line drawings, though not in excess, so that the account is very readable. The range of habitats found in real life is great. To simplify his treatment, the author has classified them into some broad categories. As a result, there is some inevitable shoehorning of species. A purist would have opportunities to protest — the terming of a Paradise Flycatcher as a bird of the “tropical moist forest” would be one of these.
Threats to birds
The depiction of birds in Indian art, literature, folklore and mythology has been outlined by the author in a brief chapter. Next, he traces the history of the serious study of birds in India. He gives examples from the epics and other works to show that accurate bird watching has been practised since ancient times. He highlights the contributions of Salim Ali, Allan Octavian Hume and others to Indian ornithology.
One informative chapter is devoted to the fascinating phenomenon of bird migration. This chapter is somewhat out of place and might have been better placed immediately after the introductory one. Recent research has revealed the shocking fact that over the past 40 years, populations of a number of common birds have decreased drastically in the U.S. because of human activities. Asad Rahmani, Director of the Bombay Natural History Society, says that a similar decline is taking place in India, though we lack data. As the author writes, an ill wind blows. The second major subject of the book relates to the dangers faced by birds and to their conservation.
The author documents the various threats posed by human activities to the existence of birds: hunting, habitat destruction, capture for trade, road accidents… This depressing account is written with empathy for the birds. The author’s stated aim in writing the book is “to make an appeal to save the wonderful birdlife of India, at present so gravely threatened.” The reader feels uneasy for the birds; the case that they are in serious peril could have been argued more forcefully.
Outlook
What is the outlook for birds in India? In the chapter “Winds of Change” the author describes traditional protection afforded to birds, laws that have been enacted to save them and initiatives that have been undertaken to ensure that we do not lose our birds. Unfortunately, he stops short of spelling out clearly the steps to be taken to save them.
In the author’s view, birds have as much a right to live on this Earth as we do. To convince those who are not “moved by this position”, he has included a chapter on the role they play in the economy.
The annexures and the bibliography together make up just short of a third of the book. As they are essentially data lists, one experiences a distinct disappearance of the reader friendliness of the main text.
Birds in Our Lives is an attractively produced book, but as desired by the author, it steers clear of being “just another pretty picture book.” If you are a lay reader, it will give you a good overview of Indian birds groun
ded in science. It provides useful information on organisations, societies and publications devoted to wildlife studies and, conservation and ornithology. The serious birdwatcher and the conservationist will find the reference material useful.
The author’s sensitivity to birds and sympathy for them is evident throughout the book. This is refreshing at a time when it is fashionable to decry ‘sentimentalism’ in writing about wildlife.
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