SDG-15 Well Being of Birds

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 BACKGROUND:

We have watching and observing margalla hills (bordering Islamabad) which is rich with wild animals and birds. From last 5 – 7 years due to deforestation and expansion of human population there is drastic impact on eco-system of birds specially. Margalla Hills and Rawal Lake locations which was famous birds seeing; White throated Kingfisher, wood pigeon, rose ringed parrot, Himalayan Quail, Grebe, Cormorant, egret, shikra, grey heron, kestrel, francolin and many more. An association of people and resources to assure that birds in our locale that are sick, injured, or orphaned are able to get the care they need in order to survive. Due to extreme weather conditions (summer and winter) these birds suffer with shortening of food, water and nest (shelter loss due to deforestation). We are seeking caretakers, transporters, fosters/adopters, educators, and financial donors. We do not take in protected wildlife species for which state/federal permits are required but rather the "Volunteer" of SWF who are currently educating local communities to put left over food on top of houses and forest of hills so these birds can get food, this happens very less as our volunteers cannot get 100% commitments from locals. We have developed this activity to adhere this problem as well to stay in margalla hills region as true inhabitant and keep eco-system breathing.

CHALLENGE:

Birds that are native to these hills are facing lack of shelter / nesting habits (due to deforestation) but still stays in these regions faces effect of extreme weather (dry extreme summer, winter with frost, continuous rains etc) directly. Lack of Food, water and shelter (Nesting) has significant impact on their breeding cycle and deaths of these birds has been increased. Even though Government of Pakistan has made prohibited hunting of these birds in Margalla Hills region but still many locals catch them while these birds gets into villagers homes for searching food and water. When our volunteers heard from the public find such birds, they are faced with a very real dilemma when it comes to finding help for their found bird. We (SWF) are bridging that gap between protected wildlife and birds that are not. We (SWF) has been doing volunteer work for protection and survival of these birds in eco-system.

SOLUTION:

First and foremost, we are saving the lives of many birds but not with full assurances as we are depending a lot on local community. Our teams has been advised, installation of Mud houses or recycled polythene houses (hanged on trees) in margalla hills region to gain confidence of these birds to start residing in margalla hills. Birds will be protected during rain / thunder, protected in summer and stay warm in frosting winter with these nest installation. There are many restaurants waste left over food every day, we have sought to develop a mechanism to collect these food and deliver to various points in margalla hills so as to adhere utilization of leftover food (reducing organic waste) as well to feed these birds. Such interventions will enhance confidence and trust of these birds to consider these hills to be their homes. We have to engage food collection mechanism using small trucks and drums. A washing area to rinse spices from food so birds will stay healthy from any adverse effect from spices used in human food. We are building a netwrok of our volunteers, locals, restaurant, transporters, donors and supervision those can get engage to contribute their parts to establish eco-system for birds; also we have plan to distribute awareness campaign and education sessions to local communities. Those can provide caregiver services to birds or sick and injured birds, transportation services, foster or adoptive homes, and educational services and materials.

LONG-TERM IMPACT:

We are doing awareness of the locals / public with birds to consider them as important part of nature. In this year 2023, we have developed plans to expand into working with bird’s safe shelters / nest in maragalla hills and rawal lake areas to try to help these precious birds and their lives, habitants and food chain. By the end of 2023, we hope to have 25% of this region to be preferred and trust by birds for their habitant and stabilize eco-system. We will be hiring expert to do a research work to analyze and review our efforts for breeding effect, food utilizations, protection of birds and nature.