Trees for Migratory Birds™

Why Trees?

"Trees provide locally accessible and appropriate nutrients to the community, thus, forming an essential strategy to eliminate hunger" (Pinstrup-Andersen, 2009). "They deliver ecosystem services for crop production, provide better and more nutritionally balanced diets and greater control over food inputs", the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) mentions in its 'Forests, Trees and Landscapes for Food Security and Nutrition: A Global Assessment Report'. Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) has also identified Ecosystem Restoration as one of its 19 priority thematic areas. This includes an ecologically inclusive approach to developmental procedures. The Society for Ecological Restoration says that development is incomplete without inclusion of the ecology and promotion of sustainable development. Plantation of mixed-species balance the nutrient content of the soil, increase the nitrogen-fixing capability of the soil, produce root exudates that advantage others, protect from pests and disease, etc. Further, the provision of NTFPs, forms an important source of income for the tribal-rural community members.

Ornithologists and researchers recorded the occurrence of Spot-billed Pelican, Pelecanus philippensis and Painted Stork Mycteria, leucocephala in these areas. Researchers estimated that the number of migrating birds arriving from Siberia to breed at TNTBS has decreased in number during the past 15 years.

According to an article in the Times of India, "Lying in neglect, the Telineelapuram bird sanctuary, which houses migratory birds from Siberia, faces a fresh threat every day. Telineelapuram, a village situated 65 km from Srikakulam town, was declared a bird sanctuary by the authorities a long ago, but little has been done to actually turn it into one. According to sources, the migratory bird movement was first noticed in the early '90s when around 9,000-10,000 birds visited this area. Now, the number has come down to 1,000 to 2,000." 

Further, the region is prone to cyclones and other natural disasters, destroying not only the green cover but also killing the wildlife species living within. "Sources said that over 200 migratory birds were killed and over 1,000 birds lost their nests as some trees fell under the impact of the storm. In 2013, over 1,000 birds were killed after cyclone Phailin hit Srikakulam district.", stated an article published in the Deccan Chronicle, talking about the cyclone Titli.

Tree Species

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Peepal (Ficus religiosa) Indian Tulip (Thespesia populnea)

Social Impact

The plantation of trees seeks to generate employment for the villagers, especially women. The promotion of local tree species will aid in the conservation of biodiversity by providing the wildlife with natural habitat and additional source of food, also addressing land degradation and habitat fragmentation, mainly for the endemic and migratory bird species. Increased ecosystem services in the form of fruit, fodder and non-timber forest produce upon maturity of these planted trees will further provide alternative income sources to the rural communities, leading to sustainable rural development. Upon maturity, each tree can absorb approximately 20kg of CO2 per year which is considered globally as a conservative estimate for sequestration potential of trees. Several studies have also shown that trees ensure that the rain droplets sink into the soil, controlling surface runoff, thus, increasing the groundwater table and alleviating the effects of natural disasters.