Few species of birds at the Satkosia wildlife sanctuary. Telegraph pictures

Angul, March 25: Adverse ecological conditions have pushed many birds in Satkosia wildlife sanctuary to the verge of extinction.

According to the Indian Bird Conservation Network, the sanctuary is one of the seven important bird areas in the state. It houses 161 out of 475 bird species available in the state. There are a total 1,250 species of birds in India.

The sanctuary boasts of a wide variety of avian species including grassland birds, water birds, tree birds, high-altitude birds and migratory birds. This diversity is due to the diverse condition of forests in all parts of Satkosia. High altitude Panchadhara-Satkosia river Mahanandi gorge system, dry deciduous forests, wetlands, dense forests, valleys, grasslands, meadows support the diverse habitat of bird species here.

But growing population pressure on the sanctuary seems to have had an adverse impact on the bird habitat. With more and more land being put to residential, commercial, industrial and mining uses, grasslands and other such habitats are getting reduced.

This is also being reflected in the condition of birds with many species facing the danger of extinction. Sources said that vultures, the natural scavengers, are now almost extinct in Satkosia.

Birds such as white backed vultures and a large number of bush birds are facing extinction due to biotic pressure, habitat loss and hunting.

“Other rare birds, which are beautiful and are seen rarely are hornbill, peacock, hilly myna, Indian skimmer pied flycatcher, eagle oriole black headed kite brahmin and owlet,” said Ranjan Mishra, an environmental activist.

“Birds are in grave danger due to habitat destruction, cutting down of forests, climatic changes and other issues such as expansion of agriculture with increasing use of pesticides, rapid industrial and mining activities,” he added.

The district honorary wildlife warden Prasnna Behera expressed concern over the threat to the bird population due to illegal bird trade, forest fire, adverse ecological conditions and lack of conservation measures. He has called for a survey by state forest department on the birds in the sanctuary.

Raghu Prasad, the divisional forest officer of Satkosia wildlife sanctuary, said: “I am not aware of the dwindling population of birds in Satkosia as there has not been any study on it by the department. Still, measures will be taken in this direction.”