A new study undertaken by scientists hailing from two organizations has successfully explored the mutualistic relationship between hornbills and fruiting plants in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve located in Arunachal Pradesh. The research brings to light the intriguing fact that hornbills, dubbed as forest gardeners or farmers, have an essential role in cultivating their food patches through seed dispersal mechanisms.
The Study and Its Key Points
At the heart of the study lies the revealing fact that hornbills have a symbiotic relationship with several canopy trees that thrive in tropical forests. Over the long term, this mutually beneficial relationship gives rise to orchards that persistently attract hornbills.
The research also put forth some other key points. Forest patches abundant in rare trees like Canarium are particularly attractive to hornbills given the food availability. Consequently, the hornbills disperse seeds of a wide variety of plant species in higher volumes across these patches.
Learning About Hornbills
Hornbills (Family Bucerotidae) can be spotted in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and Asia. In India, nine species of hornbills are present, with the highest diversity seen in the northeastern region. Notably, these birds are significant cultural symbols for certain ethnic communities in the northeast, such as the Nyishi community of Arunachal Pradesh.
The revered bird has also lent its name to the celebrated Hornbill festival in Nagaland.
Threats Facing Hornbills
Despite their contribution to their habitat, hornbills face numerous threats. They are frequently hunted for their casques (upper beak) and feathers, which are used in decorating headgears. Poaching for meat and for the perceived medicinal value of their body parts is also rampant.
Environmental threats such as illegal logging also contribute to the destruction of their natural habitat by leading to the cutting down of tall trees where hornbills nest and feed.
Conservation Efforts
Protecting these magnificent birds, a conservation program promoting the use of fibre-glass beaks for headgear instead of real hornbill casques has been introduced. This initiative has had a significant impact on reducing some threat to the bird population.
Different Hornbill Species in India
India shelters nine different species of hornbills. These include the Great Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Narcondam Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Austen’s Brown Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, and Indian Grey Hornbill.
About Namdapha National Park
Declared a National park in 1983, Namdapha is also recognised as a Tiger Reserve. Lying on the international border between India and Myanmar, it resides in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Surrounded by the Patkai hills on the south and south-east and the Himalayas on the north, the park stretches across several climatic zones. It flaunts characteristic tropical evergreen forests and houses a rich variety of fauna, including the big cat species. Notably, the park is home to five out of nine species of Hornbill, this includes the impressive Indian hornbill.
