🌿 Great Hornbill Sighting in Ezhimala: A Wake-Up Call for Biodiversity Conservation

In May 2025, a rare event unfolded along the coastal belt of Kakkampara near Ezhimala, Kannur—a Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis), Kerala’s state bird, was spotted far from its typical forest habitat. This remarkable sighting has not only thrilled ornithologists but also reignited discussions on biodiversity conservation, habitat shifts, and ecological resilience.

🔍 What Happened?

On May 24, 2025, a male Great Hornbill was seen perched on a fig-laden Ficus exasperata tree and later flew into the Ezhimala Naval Academy. Normally found in Kerala’s evergreen and moist deciduous forests—like Silent Valley, Nelliampathy, Aralam, and Parambikulam—this was the first recorded sighting in such a coastal ecosystem.

Local birdwatchers and forestry students verified the bird’s identity. It lingered for nearly two weeks, feeding on fruit trees and exploring nearby regions.

🌎 Why This Matters

This sighting isn’t just about birdwatching. It is a critical ecological indicator. The Great Hornbill is listed as Endangered by the IUCN and protected under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Its unexpected presence near human habitation hints at:

• Ecological richness of the region

• Potential changes in bird movement patterns

• The fragile boundary between wildlife and urbanisation

• A biodiversity hotspot under silent pressure

🧭 Relevance for UPSC Aspirants

📘 UPSC Prelims:

• IUCN Red List

• Schedule I species

• Biodiversity hotspots

• Species-habitat relationships

• Seed dispersers and keystone species

📗 UPSC Mains (GS Paper III):

• Biodiversity conservation and habitat fragmentation

• Legal protection of wildlife in India

• Role of communities in wildlife preservation

• Coastal biodiversity and its underreported richness

• Climate change and species migration

---

📚 Past UPSC Questions (Relevant Themes)

Prelims Examples:

• Q (2020): "Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence. How?"

• Q (2021): "Which of the following are ex-situ conservation methods?"

Mains Examples:

• Q (2022): “Describe the role of biodiversity in maintaining the ecological balance.”

• Q (2023): “Discuss how the implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 has impacted the conservation of endangered species in India.”

---

🧠 Practice Questions for You

Prelims Style:

1. The Great Hornbill is categorized under which of the following?
   A. Schedule II, IUCN – Vulnerable
   B. Schedule I, IUCN – Endangered
   C. Schedule II, IUCN – Near Threatened
   D. Schedule I, IUCN – Critically Endangered
   ✅ Answer: B

2. Which of the following is/are keystone species in Indian forests?

   1. Great Hornbill

   2. Tiger

   3. Indian Bison
      ✅ Answer: 1 and 2 only

Mains Style:

Q1. “The sighting of the Great Hornbill in Ezhimala reflects both hope and concern for biodiversity conservation in India. Discuss.” (150 words)

Q2. “Discuss the role of community awareness and local governance in wildlife conservation, in light of the Great Hornbill sighting near human settlements in Kerala.” (250 words)

---

📝 Conclusion

The unexpected sighting of the Great Hornbill in Ezhimala is a signal from nature—a reminder that biodiversity thrives silently even in human-occupied spaces, but also that species are possibly being pushed out of their native homes. For UPSC aspirants, it is a perfect case study linking ecology, conservation law, local governance, and climate-induced changes in species behaviour.

Let’s not wait for more rare sightings to act—conservation must become a continuous, community-driven mission.