Environment & Climate Change

Environment &
Climate Change

The Mysore region, once a thriving corridor for diverse migratory bird species, is experiencing an alarming decline in avian visitors due to the cascading effects of environmental degradation and climate change.

This biodiversity hotspot, strategically located near the Western Ghats, has historically served as a crucial stopover and wintering ground for numerous migratory species, but recent observations reveal a concerning pattern of disappearing species.

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

Drastic change in crop pattern, people living standard; fragmentation, degradation and loss of habitat; and pollution are the primary reasons for the decline of other bird species.

The transformation of traditional agricultural landscapes into urbanized areas has eliminated critical feeding and roosting sites that migratory birds depend upon during their seasonal journeys.

Climate Change Disruptions

Global climate change has created a domino effect on migratory patterns. Increasing temperatures, changing vegetation & extreme weather conditions due to #ClimateChange cause significant changes in birds' essential habitats leading to the decline of bird populations & changes in migration patterns. The timing of seasonal migrations, traditionally synchronized with food availability and breeding cycles, has become misaligned due to unpredictable weather patterns.

Regional Evidence of Decline

The Western Ghats region, which significantly influences Mysore's avian diversity, has witnessed substantial habitat loss. Between 1920 and 1990 about 40% of the original vegetation cover was lost or converted to another form of land use. This massive habitat conversion has had ripple effects on species that use the region as part of their migratory corridor.

A stark example of this decline is evident in Karnataka's recent migratory bird census. The arrival rate of migratory birds in the state has fallen by 34.4 percent. Only 65.6 percent of BHG have arrived. This dramatic reduction in Bar-headed Geese arrivals reflects broader patterns affecting multiple migratory species.

Conservation Urgency

The disappearance of migratory birds from the Mysore area represents more than just local biodiversity loss—it indicates disruption of continental-scale ecological processes. These species serve as pollinators, seed dispersers, and pest controllers, making their decline a critical environmental concern.
Immediate conservation action is needed to preserve remaining habitats, restore degraded ecosystems, and create climate-resilient corridors that can support migratory species in an era of rapid environmental change. The window for effective intervention is rapidly closing as each migration season brings fewer returning species to this once-thriving avian sanctuary.
The transformation of Mysore from a migratory bird haven to a region of declining populations serves as a microcosm of global challenges facing migratory species, demanding urgent, science-based conservation strategies to prevent further losses.