Cell towers harm migratory birds' sense of direction

The radiation from mobile communication towers has severely affected the arrival of migratory birds, say experts, pointing to the drop in their numbers over the years. Gaurav Saigal reports.

The radiation from mobile communication towers has severely affected the arrival of migratory birds, say experts, pointing to the drop in their numbers over the years.

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The radiation from cell phone towers impairs their natural sense of direction.

"The brain cells in the migratory birds help them track the route between North and South Pole. Therefore during odd seasons they migrate to India and go back when environment in their native place turns pleasant," said Ram Lakhan Singh, former principal chief conservator of forest and now steering committee member of the Planning Commission's five year plan (2012-17).

He said according to the Bird Convention, to which India is a partner signatory, the 160 species of migratory birds cannot be hunted down, but the growing number of mobile towers is affecting their numbers both in urban and rural areas.

Out of the total 8000 species of birds in the world, 1295 of them arrive in India during Deepawali and return during Holi season.

He said two things need to be kept in mind in this regard -- one is diversity and the other density.

"Even though the number of migratory birds has not increased, we have greater diversity now due to exploration of new areas. Birds like Black Stork, Greater Flamingo, Common Merganser, Spot-billed Pelican, Bar-headed Goose, Lesser Adjutant, Black necked Stork, Sarus Crane and other threatened wetland species can be found here," said Srivastav.