Introduction
Conservation today is not just about protecting nature – it is fundamentally about protecting people. At the heart of this mission are birds, which serve as essential indicators of climate change, alerting us to the environmental impacts of our actions. In examining this relationship between birds, people, and conservation, one organization stands out not only for its mission but also for its unique approach: BirdLife International (Asia) Limited (“BirdLife”). We have a chance to speak with Mr Vinayagan Dharmarajah, Regional Director, Asia, of BirdLife International to gain insight into the organization’s work and its contributions to protecting the nature.
The Transition from Legal Counsel to Conservationist
The journey into BirdLife has been a personal transformation. Coming from a legal background, Mr Vinayagan Dharmarajah served as in-house counsel for a global business school and was on BirdLife’s board in Singapore before transitioning into a management role nearly eight years ago. While both the Business School and BirdLife are non-profit organizations, their operational models are worlds apart.
(Photo : Regina Ray)
A Unique Funding Model
Unlike educational institutions that generate revenue through enrollment fees, BirdLife operates primarily on donations, grants, and government funding. This reliance on external support reflects BirdLife’s dedication to its cause; Mr Dharmarajah said “We aren’t selling services or products, but rather, inspiring action and support for conservation. Most of our revenue is drawn from individuals, governments, and organizations who believe in our mission and want to ensure that we continue to protect avian species, their habitats and the broader landscapes that they are located within.”
The Evolution of BirdLife’s Mission
“BirdLife has always been committed to preserving bird species and their habitats. Since our founding in 1922, we have evolved our mission to recognize that bird conservation is intricately linked to both addressing broader environmental challenges like climate change and, pollution, and supporting broader economic activities like agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and tourism.” Mr Dharmarajah said.
Supporting Migratory Birds
The organization’s approach emphasizes that protecting birds goes hand in hand with addressing these critical issues, advocating for solutions that balance environmental integrity with human needs. A major focus of their work is the conservation of migratory birds, which travel thousands of miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. To support these species, BirdLife collaborates with national partner organizations to protect vital habitats along their migration routes and address other threats like hunting, pollution and unsustainable infrastructure development.
In areas where such partnerships do not exist, they engage directly with governments to implement effective conservation strategies. Through these efforts, they strive to ensure that bird populations can thrive without compromising the fragile ecosystems they inhabit.
Linking Conservation with Climate Action
One major shift has been the focus on how conservation efforts intersect with climate change. Mr Dharmarajah highlights how habitat loss, often driven by agricultural expansion, threatens wild areas that birds and people rely on, and which serve as both carbon sinks and protective buffers in the effort to address climate change. By promoting sustainable agriculture and land use, the organization protects birds and addresses the climate emergency, whilst contributing to food security—a win-win for the planet and people alike. “Our message is clear: by using fewer pesticides, avoiding the destruction of wild areas, and supporting biodiversity, we create landscapes that support nature and people whilst addressing the climate crisis.” states Mr Dharmarajah.
Building Awareness Through Birds
In many ways, birds are ambassadors of our changing planet, offering critical insights into the health of ecosystems. Through their work, the organization aim to show people how their daily choices and environmental policies impact the world around them, ultimately influencing the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the landscapes we cherish.
Revealing Hidden Migration Patterns Using Technology
Occasionally, BirdLife faces challenges in understanding the migratory patterns of various bird species. While the organization often have a general idea of where many birds travel, some species utilize remote locations that are difficult to access and document. In these cases, it becomes crucial to find other solutions to gather scientific data about the birds and these landscapes.
Their work is guided by scientific research, which sometimes involves attaching satellite tags to birds. As they migrate, these tags reveal their stopping points. When they observe that certain birds consistently halt at the same locations, BirdLife undertakes visual surveys at those sites. This allows them to determine the necessary conservation actions. If they find that a significant number of birds, particularly threatened species, are visiting a specific area, they will inform governments of the need to prioritize the protection of those sites.
Restoring Migratory Bird Populations amid Urbanization
There has been growing concern among conservationists regarding the impact of urbanization on migratory birds. When plans emerged to reclaim land for residential development, many fear that the loss of natural habitats will leave birds without crucial stopping points along their migratory routes.
However, when steps are taken to integrate green spaces within urban areas, birds can utilize these during their migratory journeys. In fact, with thoughtful planning—such as planting the right species of trees in suitable locations—it’s possible to encourage the return of various bird populations over time.
The same principle applies to other wildlife; for instance, cleaning up waterways can significantly attract aquatic species. As birds and other animals migrate from neighbouring regions, they will find these revitalized habitats appealing, illustrating that urban areas can coexist with thriving ecosystems.
Embracing Local communities
Mr Dharmarajah said “Our vision centers on conserving birds, their habitats, and broader biodiversity by actively involving local communities. Local people are essential to successful conservation efforts, and the most effective way to engage them is by collaborating with national organizations that support and understand their unique needs.”
Across Asia, “local” can mean different things—in Singapore, it may refer to urban residents, while in northern Malaysia, it could involve indigenous communities in the forests. Regardless of the context, conservation thrives only when local communities feel a sense of ownership over these efforts. Without this connection, lasting change is unlikely. For BirdLife, partnering with community-focused organizations is crucial in fostering this local commitment to conservation.
Challenges faced Today
Urbanization
One of the major challenges in conservation today is the intense pressure on governments facing rapid population growth and urbanization. In many areas where there is competition in relation to land use it is difficult to prioritize conservation when space is urgently needed for housing and infrastructure. This issue is even greater as urban areas expand to accommodate people moving in from rural regions.
Understanding from Public
Another key challenge lies in fostering public understanding of the broader benefits of conservation. Many may not immediately see the value in protecting wildlife, like birds, but when conservation is linked to pressing issues such as climate change or pollution, the connection becomes clearer. For example, hornbills in Malaysia and Indonesia play a vital role in seed dispersal, which supports new tree growth. These trees, in turn, help with carbon sequestration and soil preservation, illustrating how birds contribute to the ecosystem and climate regulation.
Funding
Finally, securing funding for conservation remains a complex hurdle, especially when competing with other critical causes like poverty alleviation or social services. Encouraging support for conservation requires demonstrating its broader value in addressing the climate emergency, sustaining livelihoods and supporting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of people.
Communication
“A significant part of our work lies in effective communication, especially with local communities through our partner organizations.” stated Mr Dharmarajah. However, it’s equally vital to engage governments and conservation funders by clearly showing the linkages between bird conservation and broader issues like climate change, livelihoods, and sustainable agriculture.
In the past, project proposals might focus solely on birds, but today, birds are part of a larger narrative. BirdLife now frames its initiatives as holistic solutions that address multiple challenges. By communicating this broader impact BirdLife recognizes that governments view conservation as delivering on a broader agenda that includes climate change mitigation and adaptation, human health and sustainable development. This comprehensive approach also resonates with donors who want their contributions to have maximum impact, knowing their support addresses a range of objectives.
Beyond Birds
Pollution and Climate impact
“Today, we see birds not only as valuable in their own right but also as indicators of broader environmental issues.” explains Mr Dharmarajah. For example, a decline in migratory bird populations signals other systemic problems along their routes, from pollution to climate impacts – issues that also affect human communities. When water sources are contaminated, it’s not only birds that suffer; these water sources are essential for drinking water, fishing, and agriculture. The organization conservation approach now emphasizes addressing the root causes of environmental issues affecting both birds and people.”
Environment Protection
In line with this strategy, its office focuses on four priority areas: protecting wetlands- used by migratory birds, addressing the unsustainable killing and trade of birds managing larger forest landscapes and ensuring a nature-safe transition to renewable energy. Wetlands are vital for both birds and humans. These include the Sundarbans in Bangladesh, coastal wetlands along the Gulf of Thailand and the inland wetlands of Cambodia. Birdlife aims to strengthen a select group of 15–20 critical wetland sites. In addressing the unsustainable killing and trade of birds BirdLife focuses on key forest ecosystems that support species like parrots, hornbills and songbirds and where conservation efforts can be effective despite the challenges. They refer to these critical sites as “safe havens.” Additionally, the organisation works with local communities at a select group of large forest landscapes, aiming to protect and restore them and where feasible securing climate financing to support their conservation.
Finally, their commitment to addressing climate change includes guiding the placement and use of renewable energy infrastructure like wind turbines and power lines to minimize harm to birds through collisions, disturbance and habitat destruction. By supporting planning with a tool called AVISTEP that they have developed and through engagement with governments and industry, they are ensuring that the essential transition to renewable energy also supports the conservation of birds.
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