Coexistence of Birds in Mining Areas

 

Mining is often regarded as threat to environment and living entities. In general, people see its negative impact more than its positive ones. Any human activity today has its both advantages and disadvantages. The modern technology offers us the most comfortable lifestyle at its worst negative impacts to the history of mankind. Only handful of people today live the life that is of the purpose. Similarly, mining has been the human tool for civilization and modern development. The contribution of mining in modern era is unmatched to any advanced global industries. Not to forget that even the basic necessities like water, food, shelter and infrastructures are the results of mining and yet the polemic stand of the people for mining still exists.

The negative impacts of the mining to the environment, human and the wildlife are inevitable yet controllable and mitigable. There is no direct or immediate threat to lives unlike the fishes we are losing in the dams to light our home which we call the Hydropower a Green Energy. A friend of mine who is a teacher always reminds me of Green Mining in future and is not far from the truth that it is covered in our only development philosophy of Gross National Happiness. However, this dream must be the dreams of all Bhutanese not only of my friend and me. Dreaming is not enough unless it is executed.

The concept of the same is already in mining industries across the globe in scientific and ecofriendly mining methods but with less results. The plans are best laid down but with minimal execution in the fields. The failures and the negative impression of mining is earned either by the unfaithful industries or the geography itself.

The mining cycle of exploration in the virgin forest and mountain, development and extraction of minerals and final reclamation of the mined-out areas is of decades activities. While in the process of mineral exploration and active operations, the habitats of the birds and the animals are affected although with no direct threat to lives as it moves to nearby areas. However, the birds mostly adapt with mining activities and thrive in the atmosphere over the periods.

The coexistence of birds in mining area is best observed compared to other animals. As such, most of the birds’ species inhabit near human settlements and activities for food and shelters against the predators. They still trust some human can protect them. Interestingly, mining attracts different birds’ species for feeding ground and habitats for many. The Paddy field Pipit, Olive-backed Pipit, Wagtails, Thrush, Stonechats, Bushchats, etc love open and dry grounds in the Mines.

The beautiful and shy Wall Creeper visits the Mine in winter season in southern areas and forage the spiders and insects in the open mining benches. After escaping the cold winters in the higher altitudes, it again beats the summer heat by migrating to higher altitudes in late spring. The Red-wattled Lapwing often feed and dwell in the abandoned mining benches. The common Krestrel and other Raptors or Birds of Prey often hover over the mining areas to hunt for its prey.

Figure 1: Wall Creeper at Pugli River , 23rd  February, 2023.

The most prominent habitat is for the Nightjars which feeds and breeds from post spring to summer till they leave in autumn for some time to come back again in the same dry and abandoned or reclaimed benches. Three Savana Nightjars Juveniles and one Large-tailed Nightjars Juvenile got successfully fledged last year (2022) without being disturbed by the mining activities though some minor disturbance are observed in the nesting period due to noise pollution.  Both the Savana and Large-tailed Nightjars inhabits the Penden Limestone Mine at Satergang (Khanigoan)/Nyoenpaling (Pugli), Phuntshopelri, Samtse. It is thus, more advisable to leave some barren or abandoned mining benches for these and other species. The mining reclamation in future must be focused on birds’ habitats creation than just high value economic trees or land development purposes for buildings or structures.   

Figure 2: Savana Nightjar with two Juveniles at Penden Limestone Mine, 21^st April, 2022.

Thus, mining creates birds’ habitat rather than destroying the same as most environmentalist or regulators would see. The Black-throated Thrush also inhabits the abandoned benches. In what it looks so dry and unsystematic mining benches thrive beautiful birds’ species. Not far from the mining site at Pugli village, the first sighting of Black-headed Cuckooshrike (Lalage melanoptera) which was new to Bhutan shows that new species can also inhabit. It was recorded on 19^th May, 2021. It visits the same site annually in same season. Likewise, the Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) which was second record to Samtse after 1960s and the Dark-sided Thrush (Zoothera marginata) from Pendenling (Gomtu) which is also a third record to Bhutan as per the experts are the significant records of various birds’ species in the vicinity of mining areas. The first record of Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Blyth) in Phuntshopelri, Samtse from Gomtu in January, 2023 was another milestone in Phuntshopelri Birds Lists to 223.

Figure 3: Large-tailed Nightjar at Penden Limestone Mine, 21^st April, 2022.

Having said this, we can’t be complacent to protect them in sync with our developmental activities. Birds are important species on earth and they play vital role in the ecosystem. Development in unity without having to comprise the lives of Birds and other species are of paramount important. The mining and any other industries must play active role in protecting and conserving the birds’ species. For example, the artificial vernal pool created by Penden Cement Authority Ltd. (PCAL) in one of their Mines in Phuntshopelri, Samtse is attracting birds and wild animals. The Dusky Thrush which is new record to Samtse was recorded by the side of this vernal pool. Likewise, we choose the plant species which attracts birds with its flowers for their natural habitats. The Ficus religiosa or pipal tree grows in a degraded area and its fruits are diets for many birds. The other tree species PCAL tried in Uttare Mines is the Coral tree/ Erythrina a fast-growing species in this region and its flowers attracts various birds’ species.

The industries and companies do practice eco-friendly operation but without an active employee or the leader with nature loving heart, the environmental mandates may be compromised. Thus, the industries and institutions ought to play proactive roles in conservation than the conservation organizations in reality. More industries and developmental activities are in pipelines and we can’t deny the economic progress of the country. Nevertheless, our efforts to conserve the birds’ species in vicinity areas of the existing and upcoming projects in the future is must.

 

Figure 4: Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Blyth) first record of this species in Phuntshopelri Gewog, Samtse from Pendenling (Gomtu) on 27th January, 2023 by Yoga Prasad Chapagai at his work place(PCAL) . The above photos were taken on 21st and 17th February, 2023 respectively.