“#Blackbucknationalpark, Velavadar, is the largest communal roosting site of Harriers in the world. Harriers, the slender, long bare-legged, long-winged and long-toiled #Hawks with an owl like facial ruff, are considered farmers’ friends as they are predators. Harriers are vital indicators of an ecosystem’s health as their pray base are insects on corps. However, for many years now, farmers have started using pesticides in their fields and this badly affects the food chain of the Harriers. The food chain is an important aspect for the conservation of birds”, said JS Solanki, assistant conservator of forests, BNP, Velavadar.
Forests officials said that about 150 farmers from nearby villages are expected to take part in the awareness programme. ‘Experts and forests officials will present various aspects of the importance of Harriers to our ecological system. Various presentations in this regards will be shown to farmers. Officials from Agriculture Department will suggest the alternatives of the pesticide for their crops which are not harmful to Harriers,” said Solanki.
“The food chain of the Harriers should be kept as it directly affects the population of the bird and farmers’ role becomes crucial in this regard”, he said.
Courtesy :- Times Of India, Friday, 17th December, 2010
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