WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) was initiated in 2006 and is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. Every year, WMBD is celebrated on the second weekend of May. People around the world organize public events such as bird festivals, education programmes, exhibitions and bird-watching excursions.
Image credit: www.thehindu.com
Why Birds Migrate?
The main reason for migration is for food and nesting locations. Worldwide, about 4,000 species of birds migrate, or about 40 percent of the total number of birds in the world.
Migratory birds are threatened and in danger. Many birds don’t return back to their starting point. Why migratory birds are in danger? Climate change is an important factor but human activities result in the birds’ untimely demise. Millions of birds die from window collisions, striking TV and radio towers.
The website for World Migratory Bird Day explains that there is a wide range of reasons for the illegal killing, taking and trade of birds, including the need to survive, and traditional practices.
The illegal activities of killing, taking and trading birds not only affect the populations of birds, but also harm society in general. Conservation, agriculture and the tourism sector are all impacted negatively.
It is heartbreaking to think of these beautiful creatures being struck down by human greed.
Hence, the theme of this year’s World Migratory Bird Day, is “Stop the Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds”.
Source:http://www.care2.com
Image credit: www.worldmigratorybirdday.org
