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Once central to ‘Pitru Paksha’ rituals, crows have mysteriously vanished from cities. Is it pollution, deforestation or is there something more behind it?
Cleaner air, greener spaces, and accessible water sources are vital to ensuring that birds like crows and eagles survive. (Local18)
Crows are reportedly disappearing rapidly from Agra city in Uttar Pradesh. Once a common sight, these birds have now become a rarity in urban areas. This decline is raising concerns, particularly during Kanagat (Shraddha Paksha), when people offer food to crows as part of ancestral rites.
Traditionally seen as messengers between the living and the dead, the absence of crows during these rituals is deeply felt.
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Why Are Crows Disappearing?
The primary reasons behind the sharp decline in the crow population include:
- Rapid Urbanisation and Deforestation: The continuous cutting down of large trees like neem, peepal, and banyan, which are essential for crows to build their nests, has left them without shelter.
- Pollution: Rising levels of air and environmental pollution have made urban habitats hostile for many birds, including crows.
- Chemical use in agriculture: The use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has diminished natural food sources and affected the reproductive capacity of birds.
- Water scarcity in summer: With fewer people placing water bowls for birds, especially during scorching summers, many birds are unable to find sufficient drinking water.
If these issues persist, crows may vanish not just from cities but from rural areas as well.
Expert Insight: Diclofenac And Its Lethal Impact
Dr Sanjeev Nehru, a renowned veterinary expert in the city, has highlighted another major cause: the now-banned veterinary drug Diclofenac Sodium.
He explained that, traditionally, when large animals died, their carcasses were left in open areas. Scavenger birds such as crows, eagles, and vultures would feed on these remains. However, animals treated with Diclofenac retained traces of the drug in their bodies even after death. When birds consumed this contaminated meat, it caused severe kidney damage, often leading to death. This drug has contributed significantly to the decline of both crows and eagles.
Although Diclofenac is now banned, its long-term effects continue to impact bird populations.
Deforestation And Pollution Still A Major Threat
Dr Nehru emphasised that rampant tree felling continues to harm bird habitats. Without adequate trees, birds struggle to find nesting sites. He called for massive tree-planting efforts and greater public awareness, noting that both government and private initiatives must focus on environmental restoration.
He also pointed to the surge in vehicular pollution, which is not only harmful to humans but severely affects birds and animals too. Cleaner air, greener spaces, and accessible water sources are vital to ensuring that birds like crows and eagles survive.
A Call To Action: Save The Birds, Save The Environment
Saving crows is not just about preserving a single species, it’s about restoring ecological balance. Trees provide birds with food, shelter, and breeding space. In turn, birds contribute to biodiversity and environmental health.
Dr Nehru concluded with a powerful message: “By planting more trees, we’re not just saving birds like crows and eagles, we’re also ensuring fresh oxygen and a better future for ourselves.”
Agra Cantonment, India, India
September 09, 2025, 11:50 IST
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