Birds and the Urban Jungle
Once upon a time, when deforestation did not pose a threat to natural habitats, dense forests covered a major part of our planet. Tall trees grew in abundance, lakes and rivers rippled and sparkled, and birds were not in danger of extinction. They fearlessly flocked by the lake, chattered atop trees, nibbled on ripe fruits and nested and roosted in lush green environs.
But urbanization changed everything. With the passage of time, the world witnessed a rapid growth of cities. Trees were chopped endlessly and tall buildings and factories began dotting the skyline. The urban sprawl pushed several species of birds to the brink.
Due to widespread felling of trees, very few green areas remained in the world. One such area was situated in the Southern Hemisphere. It had only a small number of trees, but they were barren. The area was surrounded by a sprawl of concrete buildings and filled with a blare of traffic. Birds, who lived here, struggled for their survival.
Summers were generally very hot in this part of the world. In high summer, the land turned parched and the lake dried.
Mabel, a beautiful peahen, and Victor, a regal peacock, lived on this dry patch of land. One day, unable to bear the scorching heat, Mabel said, “It hasn’t rained since the start of summer. The weather is so hot that I feel I’m in a cauldron.”
Victor, the peacock, was moving restlessly about and trying to look for a pond where they could go and drink water. Mabel continued, “I’m so upset with the present situation. This place used to be a thick forest. But urbanization and deforestation have made it a barren landscape. How are we going to survive?” “I know you’re unhappy, Mabel. I too miss the greenery. The humans have been cutting down trees and destroying forests to build cities. Our habitat is shrinking and our future looks bleak. There are hardly any trees left for us”, replied Victor with a sigh.
Next day, Victor and Mabel held an urgent meeting. Birds of every specie were invited. When everyone had arrived, Victor began thus, “I welcome you all to the meeting. We’re here to discuss rapid urbanization and how it’s affecting our livelihood. As you know, humans have been trespassing on our ecosystem. Instead of trees, we see buildings and factories. One day, we’ll lose our habitat and die. Don’t you think it’s time we took things into our hands and did something about it.” The birds chirped in chorus, “Yes, it’s time we took things into our hands and did something about it.”
“So, I invite you to give your views “, Victor requested them. Adrina, a slender green bee-eater, rose to the occasion with a nasal trill ‘tree tree’ and said, “I think we should live away from the city. There’s no way we can survive in this urban jungle.” Wye, an eagle, opined that, “Urbanization is happening everywhere. I feel we should adjust ourselves to this change.” Trixie, a pigeon, argued “There are no trees in the fast-growing urban sprawl. And smoke from factories will choke us to death.”
Victor concluded the meeting thus, “I thank you for your opinions. I hope, one day, humans will learn about the ills of deforestation and give us our habitat back.”
In the afternoon, Victor went to the lake’s edge with Mabel to drink water and feed on berries. Perched high on papaya tree, which stood by the lake, Carolina, a cuckoo, was singing in her melodious voice. It was an ode to the past, when this place was a beautiful forest.
“Long ago, this place used to be a deep forest
Verdant plants added to our mundane lives zest
There were lakes and ponds to quench our thirst
Amid pretty flowers we fed on papaya and chestnut”
“But we lost our paradise when they cut our trees
Our habitat shrank, while they built cities
Pollution from cars and factories added to our woes
Plants wilted and lakes went dry, leaving us choked”
“We were nearing extinction when we heard a prophecy
We were glad to know we would get back our greenery
Once again, there will be lakes, trees, fruits and flowers
In the restores wild, our kind will prosper”
After singing the song, Carolina, the cuckoo, flapped her wings, dived from the tree and flitted about the lakeside. Both Mabel and Victor were moved by the song so much that they mourned the loss of their habitat.
Mabel sighed, “If only we could get our habitat back, our worries would be over. I feel so bad that our forest has reduced to a barren patch of land and a dried lake.” Carolina replied, “I wonder how we are going to survive in the future. The woods have sheared off and the natural resources have depleted. Sadly, we are left with just a cluster of stunted trees and an empty pond. I’m not sure if we will hold on. I wonder how we will sustain ourselves.”
Victor displayed his plumage, and said in a firm voice, “Calm down! I’m pretty hopeful, humans will understand our dilemma. It’s not as if it’s only our problem. They too need trees and clean water. Besides only planting of trees can make cities look beautiful.”
Carolina’s attention was suddenly attracted by Saelig, a kingfisher, who had been soaring high above buildings. On seeing Carolina, Victor and Mabel, Saelig whirred its wings, flicked its tail and swooped down to join them. The brightly-colored Saelig was holding a piece of paper in its large beak and beaming with joy.
Victor asked Saelig, “What makes you so happy? Do you have news for us?” Saelig, who could not wait to share the news, smiled broadly and said, “Look what I came across while calling from the top of a building!” The kingfisher flashed the piece of paper at them and drew the attention of other birds in the vicinity. Flapping their wings in anticipation, a large number of birds flocked to the lake to hear the news.
Unable to hold back his enthusiasm, Victor said to Saelig, “Give me the paper and let me see what it says.” On reading it, Victor was filled with immense happiness. Mabel and other birds grew curious to know the news. Aron, one of the pigeons, fluttered its wings, and said, “Tell us what’s written on it. We’re all dying to know.”
Victor was bursting with excitement and it took him some effort to subdue it and tell others about the news. After all it was the happiest news he had come across in years. Victor began thus, “The humans are building a sanctuary for us by the river. It’s going to be huge bird reserve and will have several varieties of trees. An artificial lake and a pond will be made in the woods too. And that’s not all. An order has been passed, which has made it mandatory for humans to conserve greenery. In an effort to restore the greenbelt, they are planting trees everywhere in the city. The best part is they’re going to give us our forest back. It’ll be restored to its former state.”
The news drew a rapturous applause from the birds and a feeling of euphoria could be felt everywhere. “Kit-kit, kok-kok, ko-OOO, ka-aah, may-awe, pia-aw, tree-tree”, they called excitedly.
Mabel, the peahen, said, “Oh my God! I can’t believe it. They’re giving us our habitat back.”
“Bless you humans. We shall ever be grateful to you”, said Carolina, the cuckoo.
“Our problems finally have a solution”, said a hummingbird, who came humming down a mango tree.
“The days ahead hold promise of joy”, said Trixie, the pigeon.
“I’m going to build a nest high up in an apple tree, by the pond”, said the gregarious mannikin.
The birds were chattering when a drop of water fell of dry earth. “It’s raining”, Mabel, the peahen, was the first to point out. “I’ve never felt so happy”, she said to Victor, the peacock.
The rains finally arrived and the birds bubbled over with excitement. Victor displayed his feathers into a fan in display and danced in the rain. Carolina, the cuckoo, sang a song and everyone joined in as chorus.
“Our plight is over
Joy has once again knocked on our door
After enduring a phase without rain
It’s a pleasure to watch it rain.”
“Never before have we felt so happy. Never before…”
“Heavens have blessed us with a future so bright
A sanctuary and a restored wild will be a delight
Once again trees will bloom and lakes will sparkle
Flowers will blossom and the river will burble.”
“Never before have we felt so happy. Never before…”
“Conservation will go hand-in-hand with urbanization
Humans and birds will live in a harmonious
co-existence
Forest and trees will add beauty to the metropolis
Our future generations will prosper and flourish”
“Never before have we felt so happy. Never before…”
Rain moistened the arid land. Plants shot up, flowers sprang up and buds opened everywhere. After celebrating the good news and the arrival of monsoon, birds went to roost in their nests, freed of all worries. Tomorrow beckoned them and a lovely future awaited them.
