Date : 29/05/2023

Relevance: GS-3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution, and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Key Phrases: Western Ghats, community-based conservation initiative, Kadar tribal community, Hornbill Nest Tree Monitoring Programme, Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation, The Great Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, The Indian Grey Hornbill.

Why in News?

• The Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot in India, is home to a unique population of hornbills.
• However, the hornbill species in the region have been facing a significant decline, primarily due to habitat loss and poaching.
• In response to this alarming situation, a community-based conservation initiative, led by the Kadar tribal community, has emerged as a beacon of hope for the dwindling hornbill population in the Vazhachal Forest division of the Western Ghats.

The Hornbill Nest Tree Monitoring Programme:

• The Hornbill nest tree monitoring program was initiated in 2005 in the Vazhachal forest division with the technical support of the Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation.
• The objective was to address the declining hornbill population and restore their nesting habitat. It became a significant initiative in safeguarding the Hornbill population.

The Precious Diversity of Hornbills:

• The Athirappilly-Vazhachal areas in the Western Ghats harbour all four South Indian species of hornbills:
  • The Great Hornbill
  • Malabar Pied Hornbill
  • Malabar Grey Hornbill
  • The Indian Grey Hornbill
• The Great Hornbill is classified as vulnerable in IUCN Red List, while the Malabar Pied Hornbill is considered near-threatened.

Engagement of the Kadar Tribal Community:

• To combat the declining hornbill population, the involvement of the indigenous Kadar community was crucial.
• Studies revealed that the Malabar Pied Hornbills were limited to a few low-elevation locations in Kerala.
• In collaboration with the Forest Department, a group of young individuals from the Kadar community joined the mission to protect and monitor the nesting trees and the species.
• Protecting Nests and Creating Awareness:
  • The scarcity of suitable nesting trees and rampant poaching were identified as the main threats to the hornbill population.
  • The Hornbill Foundation, with the help of Kadar community members, initiated an awareness program to combat hornbill poaching.
  • Additionally, the community took on the role of hornbill watchers, diligently monitoring the trees where the birds nested. This collective effort contributed to the protection and rejuvenation of nesting sites.
• Impressive Results and Conservation Implications:
  • The persistent efforts of the community and conservationists yielded promising results.
  • The number of successful nests increased, abandoned nests were re-established, and new nesting hollows formed in suitable trees.
  • The population of Malabar Pied Hornbills in the area gradually rose to 100, with 12 identified nesting sites.

Scientific Studies and Recommendations:

• Researchers from MES Asmabi College presented important findings regarding the hornbill conservation efforts in the Western Ghats.
• They identified the niche specificity of the Malabar Pied Hornbill, which is confined to low-elevation forests between 0 and 500 meters above sea level.
• These forests face the highest conversion and threats due to their proximity to human settlements.
• The studies emphasized the urgent need to protect riparian forest habitats, which contain old trees with natural hollows essential for hornbill nesting and foraging.
• The research team recommended site-specific management and eco-restoration plans to prevent further decline of the hornbill species and their habitat.
• Furthermore, they proposed designating the Malabar Pied Hornbill as the "ambassador or flagship species" of the critically endangered low-elevation riparian evergreen forests.

Conclusion:

• The success of the community-based initiative involving the Kadar tribal community in the Western Ghats has demonstrated the importance of engaging local communities in conservation efforts.
• By protecting nesting trees and raising awareness against poaching, the hornbill population has experienced a remarkable recovery.
• The lessons learned from this initiative emphasize the significance of preserving riparian forest habitats and their flagship species like the Malabar Pied Hornbill, ultimately contributing to the conservation of the Western Ghats biodiversity.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Question:

Q. Explain the significance of community-based conservation initiatives in the conservation of species in India, citing suitable examples. Discuss the key features and outcomes of these initiatives, highlighting their role in enhancing biodiversity conservation and promoting sustainable development.