Thread by @weatherindia

We celebrate #WorldWildlifeDay on March 3, let's take a look at the major threat to marine species and wildlife - noise pollution.
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Humans are social animals, yet, we often fret about our noisy neighbours. And then there are those who cannot complain even if they want to: plants and animals. As we get comfortable in sound-proof glass cabins, these neighbours of ours do not have the luxury to do so.

Does noise cause mass stranding events?

In January 2016, more than 80 pilot whales stranded mysteriously on a beach in Tamil Nadu. Though it was unusual for Indians, such incidents have become increasingly common across the globe.

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The strandings of 600 whales in New Zealand (February 2017), 150 in Western Australia (March 2018), and 140 whales again in New Zealand (November 2018) stand testimony to this.

📸Evadb; Edit by jjron/Wikimedia Commons
#WorldWildlifeDay #WorldWildlifeDay2019

A study published last month prove that whales die from decompression sickness due to the naval sonar. However, it's not a new revelation! Since two decades it is proven that ocean noise pollution is one of the major factors behind the mass stranding events.

#WorldWildlifeDay

Most marine mammals rely heavily on sound signals for navigation, communication, finding food, and mating. They suffer from chronic stress in noisy environments. They get physically injured, confused, and disoriented due to loud noises before ending up stranded on our beaches.

Most of the studies on impacts of noise on non-human life stem from the west. “No one has comprehensively studied the impact of noise pollution on wild animals in India”, says Dr. Sankar, Director of the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore.

Scattered research does provide a few insights on the ground realities in India. A study in Raiganj, West Bengal showed that the sudden bursts of loud noise scare the birds. Often they fly away leaving the nests unguarded resulting in decreased life expectancy over generations.

Not only the academia but also the law seems to have ignored this issue. Multiple studies have shown that the noise levels across many sanctuaries are too high. Even the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000 lack the mandate for wildlife habitats which deters effective control.

Why not let the songbird sing?

The songs of nightingale were once an inspiration for the great poets from Chaucer to John Keats. The increased noise of modern urban life forces them and other songbirds to move away or to alter their voice frequency.

“It is heartbreaking that many songbirds have fled from our cities as they need to find habitat where they can actually hear each other in order to find mates”, says Dr. Kight.

📸Prateik Kulkarni/Wikimedia Commons

Greater threat, however, is constant exposure to urban noise can alter the basic functioning like mating, foraging & migration patterns of birds which can lead to speciation, meaning genetic diversity among birds in urban and rural set-up can take different evolutionary pathways

What can be done?

Experts say that impacts on wildlife can be minimised by reducing noise at key intervals like early morning or breeding seasons. Also, it is necessary to create buffer zones and erect noise barriers for sensitive areas like national parks and sanctuaries.

Our development plans should also be mindful of these impacts. Scientific precautionary measures before urban development action can bear multiple environmental benefits.

Otherwise, our noise may end up in their silence! “It is tempting to refer to Rachel Carson’s ’Silent Spring’ here because the irony is that the wildlife would be silent because the habitat is exactly the opposite”, concludes Dr Kight.