Sand Mining as a Contemporary threat to Sandbar Nesting Birds: a Review

摘要

Urbanization requires enormous amounts of material inputs especially sand to fulfilling the demands of the increasing human population through sand mining. It has negative environmental impacts in terms of physical, chemical, and biological aspects like river-associated biodiversity, especially on river dolphins, fishes, crocodiles, turtles, otters, and birds. The temporary sand islands of Rivers with their abundant food supplies for birds are ideal nesting grounds for a variety of avian species, like Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied Tern, River Tern, Great Thick-knee, and River Lapwing. Extensive sand mining is degrading the breeding grounds of these sandbar nesting birds which can eventually lead to their population decline. Inadvertent erosion of river beds and banks also may occur as a result of extreme extraction practices. The use of heavy machinery is also affecting the collective environment. Conservation priority areas can be identified using select birds as environmental indicators and model organisms for biodiversity conservation. Long-term avifaunal survey data could also be useful for effective monitoring of the changes in the riverine habitat quality and biodiversity. Increasing natural riparian vegetation and conservation awareness among local people could make a positive impact on conserving these habitats along with some of the threatened avian species.