Guwahati: In a decisive move to protect the delicate balance of its wildlife, Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh has officially banned the use of bird call playbacks within its boundaries. The order, issued by park authorities, is aimed at curbing the disruptive effects of artificial bird calls on the natural behaviour of birds and other wildlife in the park.
The use of bird call playbacks — a practice where recorded bird songs or calls are played to attract birds for viewing or photography — has become increasingly popular among birding enthusiasts. However, conservationists and wildlife experts have raised serious concerns about its ecological impact.
Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a national park in 1983 and, subsequently, the first Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh. The tiger reserve is situated in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. An area of 1807.82 sq km is managed as critical core habitat in this tiger reserve. The terrain of Namdapha is undulating and hilly, with elevation ranges from 200metres up to 4571 m above sea level. Geographic complexity with such variation in elevation results in several habitats, from subtropical broadleaved forests to subtropical pine forests, temperate broad-leaved forests, alpine meadows, and perennial snow. Namdapha harbors a highly diverse species assemblage owing to the geographic location of the tiger reserve at the junction of the Palearctic and Indo-Malayan biogeographic realms. Atleast 400 bird species inhabit the park.
According to the order, the practice of playing bird calls through loudspeakers disrupts the natural behaviour of birds, particularly territorial species, which perceive the calls as intrusions into their habitat. This disruption affects their breeding, foraging, and courtship behaviours, potentially leading to long-term behavioural changes. Stress and anxiety in birds and other wildlife have also been cited as significant consequences, with increased predation risk being another major concern. Artificial sounds may attract predators to the area, endangering the birds and other species in the vicinity.
To safeguard the park’s ecological integrity, the following measures have been put into immediate effect:
Ban on Loudspeakers: The use of loudspeakers for any purpose within the park’s boundaries is strictly prohibited.
Prohibition of Bird Call Playbacks: The playback of bird calls or animal sounds, whether for birdwatching or any other activity, is also prohibited.
These measures aim to preserve the park’s natural acoustic environment, which is crucial for the survival and communication of its diverse fauna. Violations of the ban will attract strict penalties and fines under relevant laws and regulations.
The Namdapha National Park’s directive echoes a growing call for more ethical birding practices worldwide. While birdwatching is a popular ecotourism activity, park authorities stress that it should not come at the cost of wildlife welfare. The ban aims to protect the biodiversity of one of India’s most ecologically rich national parks, which is home to several rare and endangered species of birds and animals.
Global Evidence Supports the Ban
The negative effects of bird call playbacks have been well-documented globally. The Malaysian Nature Society’s Bird Conservation Council notes that recorded bird songs divert territorial birds from essential duties such as feeding their young. Similarly, the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative highlights how birds perceive recorded calls as competitors, prompting them to expend energy investigating and challenging the “intruder” instead of focusing on courtship, nest building, and feeding.
Research also indicates that playback-induced stress can have severe implications on birds’ overall health. Experts warn that during breeding seasons, call playbacks can disrupt mating activities and reduce breeding success. The energy birds expend on responding to perceived threats could otherwise be used for critical survival and reproduction tasks.
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