Help Save The Green Avadavat Mount Abu

Help Save The Green Avadavat Mount Abu

Green Avadavat - (Munia) vulnerable 

Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus

Green Avadavat Pair

Can the International Union for Conservation of Nature have classified the Green Avadavat (or Green Munia) as Vulnerable (VU)? Can we take measures to prevent it from becoming Endangered? These birds are endemic to Central India and can be found in patches across parts of central U.P., Southern Bihar, and West Bengal. as been a popular cage bird and have been in the bird trade since the late 19th century. It continues to be common in the wild in areas such as Mt. Abu in Rajasthan but has declined due mainly to trapping and environmental changes.

Green Avadavat Amandava formosa

Population trend: Decreasing

Bird species like Green Munia and Red Avadavat are trapped and sold in some major city markets in Central India. Today one can buy some of these species in the old city of Ahmedabad.

Mount Abu is one sanctuary where the Green Munia’s existence is stable and its population can grow. It would be ideal if the forest department. Local authorities and Abuites get together and plan an awareness programme to safeguard the well-being of this species. This Abode of Gods caters to about 600 of these fragile finches. Birders from all parts of the world come to Abu to photograph this rare species. Most of them snap this prized beauty and fulfil their dream of capturing this avian in their collection. 

They contain the Munias in Annexe IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, making hunting, trapping or trade illegal and a punishable offence. It also protected the Green Avadavat under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

 

Green Avadavat juvenile

 Despite this protection, the most serious threat to this species is illegal trafficking, which has decimated various populations across the country. They captured many of these birds and illegally trafficked them in the domestic and foreign markets. TRAFFIC India has been tracking the illegal trade in Green Munias and periodically publishes articles to raise awareness of the birds' condition and educate people about the significance raise awareness and educate people about the legal implications of buying Green Munias as pets, TRAFFIC India keeps track of illegal trade and periodically publishes articles and promoting the well-being of this unique bird. It should establish a special committee to monitor and track population trends in the various pockets of Abu. Members should assign a period soon after the nesting to count the birds for an annual census. Mount Abu, in the long run, might be the only haven where this rare species might have the chance to survive the ravages of our contemporary world.