Farmers for birds conservation

Farmers for bird conservation project initiated the crucial work of bird conservation in the non-protected areas, at village level. Through the work conservation-friendly practices are implemented through farmer’s community, which will benefit both farmers and birds.

Non protected areas like farms, grasslands, wetlands in village support high bird diversity. Even when conservation planning in such unprotected areas is crucial, it is rarely carried out actively.

Birds on farmland can demonstrate the intersection between agriculture and conservation, and the role farmers can play to protect bird biodiversity. In the age of climate change, it is imperative to identify how to manage agro ecosystems to best support birds. Conservation planning in planned in non-protected areas like farms, grasslands, wetlands in village which support bird diversity.

FORREST with the support of Ocean Network Express (India) Pvt. Ltd.  initiated Farmers for Birds conservation program at Pimpri village of Mulshi Taluk.  Maharashtra Forest Department also assisted in project implementation. The following activities were carried out under this project during the year 2023-24.

1. Pre bird diversity survey
2. Meeting with farmers to identify beneficiaries
3. Conservation consciousness sessions with farmers -Birds & Biodiversity Conservation
4. Installing perching sites in farms
5. Enrichment planting of ficus trees which support high bird diversity in the village and in the periphery
6. Planting small trees on farm bunds which provide food and habitats to birds
7. Creating bird feeding area in barren areas with broadcasting of millets, to sets aside wild areas

Project photographs

1. Pre-meeting with farmers was carried out in April 2023.

2.  Planting small trees on farm bunds which support bird diversity–

Grewia tilifolia and Grewia asiatica plant species were planted on farm bunds.A total of 40 plants were planted by farmers in the month of August 2023 on their farm bunds.

3. Enrichment planting of trees which support high bird diversity

Enrichment planting in and around the Pimpri village, was carried out in September 2023.

Total 30 ficus tree saplings were planted. Farmers participated in the planting of these keystone species which will have a long term positive impacts on birds conservation in the village and in the nearby forest area. 

4. Installing Bird Perches-

Bird perches were installed on farm bunds and in the fields in November 2023. Farmers worked for the installation of bird perches in the village. 20 bird perches were installed. Intervention of bird perches is replicating of bird friendly practice where birds are invited as natural pest management agents on the fields. 

The project is being continued in the year 2024-25 as well. We’ll be updating the page with the latest news from this project.