RAMANDEEP KAUR
NT NETWORK
Goa’s birdlife is under increasing threat due to habitat loss, climate change, and human activity. Addressing these concerns, ‘Threatened Birds of Goa’ documents 56 globally threatened species found in the state.
The genesis
In 2012, former director of the Bombay Natural History Society Dr. Asad Rahmani released the book ‘Threatened Birds of India: Their Conservation Requirements’. But with a need felt for more region-specific studies to strengthen local conservation efforts, Dr. Rahmani later developed similar books for eight Indian states.
Inspired by this, Pronoy Baidya who worked with Dr. Rahmani on the Goa chapters on ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas in India’, began working on compiling data on Goa’s globally threatened bird species in 2015, with his colleague Harshada Gauns.
A decade later, the book has finally released at the 8th Goa Bird Festival, organised by the Goa Forest Department in January 2025.
‘Threatened Birds of Goa’ relies on global scientific literature, Heinz Lainer’s birding notes spanning over 40 years, and the Goa Bird Atlas dataset, which maps Goa’s bird communities. “With the Goa Bird Atlas set to be released in July, its findings helped speed up work on ‘The Threatened Birds of Goa’,” says Baidya, a scientist and head of Research Division, Arannya Environment Research Organisation (AERO), Sattari.
The book was co-authored by Jalmesh Karapurkar and Sujeetkumar Dongre, along with a coordination team of Shubham Rane, Sagar Naik, and Gauns. The same team has been leading the Goa Bird Atlas initiative.
The book is divided into two sections. The first section explains the importance of studying globally threatened birds at a local level, covering Goa’s ecological zones and the challenges affecting bird habitats. It also helps readers interpret maps and graphs related to bird distribution.
The second section focuses on 56 globally threatened bird species found in Goa. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), these include four Critically Endangered, five Endangered, 16 Vulnerable, and 31 Near Threatened species (birds that could become endangered in the future).
Each species profile includes details on identification, conservation status, habitat in Goa, threats, and what needs to be done to protect them.
“A special section explains the meanings behind scientific names, some of which have humorous origins. The book also features QR codes that link to IUCN’s online database, which allows readers to access the latest updates on conservation status,” says Baidya. “That way, we expect this book to remain relevant for the next decade unless there is a major overhaul in how species conservation is prioritised globally.”
Why local approach matters
He adds that bird conservation in Goa often requires a localised approach, as global threat assessments do not always reflect regional priorities.
“For instance, the migratory Indian Skimmer is a rare visitor to Goa. While its conservation is crucial elsewhere, local efforts are better focused on species like the Great Knot, which share its habitat and face greater threats,” he explains.
Conversely, the Alexandrine Parakeet, classified as Near Threatened globally, has seen a significant population increase in Goa. Ornithologist Heinz Lainer suggests the species likely established itself from escaped caged birds, with at least 100 individuals now recorded in Bardez taluka.
Meanwhile, the Malabar Lark, endemic to the Western Ghats, is not globally listed as threatened but may require urgent attention.
Key knowledge gaps
And while Goa has a well-documented understanding of bird distribution, Baidya states that there is still lack of crucial information on breeding biology, feeding ecology, and resource use, especially for species requiring focused conservation efforts.
One such species is the Malabar Grey Hornbill, a vulnerable species endemic to the Western Ghats. He says, “Once common across Goa, its population has declined by an estimated 25-33% over the past decade. While studies on its breeding biology exist from Valparai in Tamil Nadu’s South Western Ghats, those findings may not fully apply to Goa due to differences in forest composition, rainfall, and human influence.”
Fragile habitats
Habitat protection also remains a problem as rapid urbanisation and infrastructure projects have taken a toll. The Vulnerable Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon once thrived in Verna Industrial Estate, but habitat destruction for the NH 566 Highway has led to its decline. And while conservation efforts have strengthened wetland protection—with 25 notified wetlands and a proposed Ramsar site—the state’s plateaus remain largely ignored. “Often dismissed as wastelands, plateaus are among the most important ecosystems needing protection,” says Baidya. Birds that rely on dry grasslands are also disappearing across India, and Goa is no exception. Baidya explains that rapid coastal development is changing land use, while the decline of traditional farming has altered khazans (wetland fields), affecting water bird populations.
In wetlands like Carambolim and Navelim-Kudnem, he explains that high-tension power lines often cause bird deaths. “On the plateaus, growing commercial activity, frequent grass fires, and more feral dogs are putting nesting birds at risk. Even in the protected Western Ghats, climate change and slow human encroachment continue to pose challenges.”
Out at sea, he says, plastic pollution is a serious problem. “Discarded fishing nets, footwear, sanitary waste, and oil spills are harming rare seabirds,” he adds. Another major challenge is protecting tree clusters outside wildlife sanctuaries, which act as vital corridors for birds and animals.
Call for better
conservation policies
Published by AERO and the Goa Forest Department, ‘Threatened Birds of Goa’ thus, aims to encourage better conservation efforts. Baidya says, “It hopes to guide policymakers in making informed decisions that consider wildlife and the environment while also inspiring youngsters to take an interest in conservation.”
