Children in Ranchi burst crackers to mark Diwali. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Nov. 12: Diwali revelry has taken a heavy toll on birds, feel experts.

The everyday chirping of birds in the city has diminished and it would take a couple of days for the winged creatures to resurface as usual.

Environmentalists and experts warn that the incongruous use of crackers with deafening sound and smoke affects the activities of birds and animals.

While the birds fly away to more silent areas, the stray animals moving around on streets are severely affected by the sound and air pollution, often damaging their nervous system, experts said.

The birds, experts say, undergo a drastic behavioural change and stop chirping for quite some time even after the festival of lights is over. Ecologist Nitish Priyadarshi said that birds are forced to go into hiding as soon as crackers are burst.

“Birds are hyper-sensitive to sound and it affects their mental frame. The zeal to burst fire crackers even after Diwali keeps the birds away and they are too shocked to resume their normal behaviour,” Priyadarshi added.

While the bigger birds are less affected, the smaller species are the worst hit. Many a time while bursting rockets or crackers they may get trapped in a tree or a bush. Subsequently the birds get scared and sometimes even suffer a cardiac arrest, the ecologist said.

Veterinarian A. Kumar said that dogs are also severely affected by crackers and they start barking like mad or feel thirsty. While some dogs shrink under a cot, others run out trying to find a secure place. Some dogs also get trampled on the road while they try to run away from the noise, Kumar said.

Apart from disturbing birds and other creatures, the smoke emitted by crackers in the evening coupled with fog is also a reason for worry.

The smog is detrimental for human beings and animals alike and induces respiratory problems affecting the body.

Environmentalist R.K. Sinha feels that smog is more dangerous because it contains poisonous gases. Even if they do not affect immediately have other symptomatic effects like headache, irritation and allergy. “The suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the gases remain in the atmosphere for a longer time enhancing its inhalation by human beings and animals. The SPM gets deposited in the trachea, bronchi and lungs causing allergy, irritation and even asthma,” Sinha said.