Artificial lights scare away birds from city

BANGALORE: It is not just noise and air pollution, lately even light pollution seems to have affected the biological rhythms of birds and wildlife, observe city-based biodiversity experts.“Unnecessary lighting especially in the city seems to be taking the largest toll on the bird population. Nocturnal birds like owl use the moon and stars for navigation during biannual migrations. When they fly through a brightly-lit area, they become disoriented,” said biodiversity expert, Harish Bhatt. Speaking to Express, he said, “Nocturnal birds go on hunting around dusk. But by then, all the street lights and big apartments are switched on, which emit light all over the city, most of these birds are now moving towards fringe areas like Doddaballapur, as they cannot adjust to the biological imbalance.” “Most birds like crows, mynas and bats roost at night. But with city emitting illuminated light during night, it is disturbing their rhythms. The effect can also be seen around trees at Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, number of birds around these areas seem to be dwindling,” he added.A city-based bird watcher observes, “One can now hear birds singing and chirping in the night as well. Due to extensive avenue lighting around the city, we can sometimes hear birds singing and crows crowing during the night. These things were earlier heard only during the early dawn.” Ornithologist and bird watcher M B Krishna said, “Street lights and multi-storeyed buildings emit extravagant light affecting the biological rhythms of birds. We can now hear koels singing during the night. Recently, I observed this when I was passing by Sankey Tank area.”  Meanwhile, light is also having an effect on the physical development of amphibians. Laboratory studies show that the amount of  light exposure affects DNA synthesis and the production of hormones, especially among frogs and lizards. In addition to the nocturnal birds, even the behavioural rhythms of animals is disturbed due to the unusual light.  Dr M H Swaminath, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) said, “Like human beings even the animals are tuned to their own indigenous habit, so with unnecessary lightings their diurnal  pattern of life and hunting hours is affected. This happens especially with jackals and hyenas in the semi-urban regions.”