19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Threat to Environment

A large number of the migratory birds, the Open Billed Storks are found inhabiting on the trees near the Cooch Behar Airport of West Bengal , India. The most critical threat ,they are facing today is the destruction and fragmentation of habitat, especially due to Urban development, like many trees were cut for making the Airport, a few years back ,resulting in the loss of their potential habitat. Asian openbills are carnivores. Their diet primarily consists of golden apple snails and small aquatic invertebrates such as mollusks , crabs, and worms. Frogs, lizards and snakes, insects, and fish. But due to the excessive use of pesticides and germicides in the agricultural fields , these birds are not getting the adequate food supply. The smoke and pollution caused by the vehicles running on the roads, and produced during the construction of roads do not allow a peaceful life to these migratory birds.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2021
Photo Location: India
Camera: ILCE-6500
Copyright: © SUJAN SARKAR