Eight species of birds on the verge of extinction, says study

Eight species of birds like francolins and quails are on the verge of extinction in the Malwa region, a recent study has revealed.
The study carried out by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, has found shrinking habitat of these birds due to human intervention, as the major reason for the massive decline in their numbers.
The number of francolins and quails have fallen drastically after thickets in which they reside were destroyed in the Malwa region.
The human population has expanded into the birds' environs according to the study, Ujjain District Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) P C Dubey told PTI.

He said that his department's priority now, is to keep the birds' habitat intact for which their environs are being identified.
Dubey said that forest ground duty officials would be deputed to these habitats to shoo away cats and other animals which damage eggs and chicks of these birds.

He said that village folk would be roped in to help conserve these birds.
Ornithologist Ajay Gadikar, who was associated with the study, said that the numbers of grey francolins, painted francolins, rain quails, jungle bush quails, rock bush quails, barred button quails and small quails have dipped in the Malwa region, adding that poaching too is a factors for their decline.

Thickets of Ujjain's Agar and Tarana regions are home to francolins and quails he said, adding that forest department officials are taking steps to preserve these birds.