Trees are useful in several ways. They purify the air we breathe. They prevent soil erosion. However, another importance of trees that could be overlooked is that trees are the natural habitat and nesting place of various birds and even other animals like squirrels. Deforestation directly causes bird populations to decline, mainly because of the destruction of their habitat. Deprived of their natural home, many birds can't breed, which ultimately results in the decline of their population. Days after many birds were killed due to cutting of trees for road development work in Kerala, the state Forest Department reportedly started a survey to mark the trees on the highways that have nests of birds. In Goa there is large scale tree felling going on for road widening. Deforestation and hill cutting is also carried out for construction work. Is a survey of the presence of birds and their nests on the trees taken while cutting the trees? Proper rehabilitation of the birds needs to be done before engaging in development works which necessitates tree-cutting.
