The summer scorched earth was beginning to show signs of cracking. There was dust collecting on the spring-green leaves. The 'mango showers' were in the horizon and the barn swallows were riding the incoming storm.

As a whirlwind moved through the village, dust particles, grime and loose grass were picked up from the fields and hurled into motion. The summer storm was coming. And for many it was a breath of fresh air. The mangoes would ripen; the jackfruits burst open, emanating their sickly sweet smell.

With the storm approaching the little blue-green Blue-tailed Bee-eater frantically looked for shelter, a roosting tree maybe, but fly as it might a sturdy familiar tree was far from sight.

As is usually the case after any disaster, the loss and impact on people and their lives is on everyone's mind. But, eventually curiosity turns us onto other impacts of a natural disaster—the wildlife and surrounding habitats that the storm also left in its path. In this particular case, how do birds fare after a tornado or after an especially intense nor'wester tears through an area?

With loss of habitat and growing population, old-growth and indigenous trees are being cut down thus reducing the number of available roosting (resting or perching) trees for birds putting them in line of threat against many natural disasters especially nor'westers and tornadoes.

In 2015, a group of researchers came across an odd phenomenon. Local newspapers in Kushtia and Jhenidah districts were reporting deaths of birds in large numbers following a storm in April. Some reported numbers as high as 30,000.

This prompted them to dig deeper and consequent analysis of data and interview of locals in Kumarkhali upazila in Kushtia and Shailkupa upazila in Jhenidah revealed that in fact a total of 771 birds did die within the first half of April that year.

“These deaths were a result of just one nor'wester in two upazilas. Bangladesh is hit by many such nor'westers during the pre-monsoon or summer time. If birds, species who are naturally inclined to move to safer places continue to die in such numbers, this would spell disaster for bird populations,” says Sayam U Chowdhury, Ornithologist and Conservation Biologist, currently working on threatened species research and conservation in Bangladesh and abroad.

Mohsin Kabir Miron and Sayam U Chowdhury revealed their findings in a paper titled, 'Impact of pre-monsoon storm on resident birds in Bangladesh' which has been reviewed and submitted for publishing in an international scientific journal.

They looked at tree cover in the areas where high mortality was reported to find possible links between the deaths and availability of trees for roosting and shelter during such disasters.

The duo found that the proportion of native trees meaning local varieties such as mango trees or the towering fig trees were significantly lower than the non-native (foreign variants) trees. Inspection of the trees also revealed that these plantations are fairly new.

A clear picture was beginning to emerge from the findings. The storm-affected areas lacked old-growth native trees and traditional village groves. Meaning most of the trees were very young, non-native with fragile wood and they would be unable to sustain the lashes of a nor'wester.

Extrapolating from these findings, the researchers put forward the idea that large-scale monoculture plantation of fast growing non-native trees such as Acacia and Mahogany and loss of suitable shared roosting habitats makes these resident birds even more vulnerable to natural disasters such as nor'westers and tornadoes.

“This adverse impact on birds matters because they are one of the key indicators of our environmental health, if they react adversely then there is surely something fishy going on,” opines Chowdhury.

Birds are also key pollinators and seed dispersal agents and their conservation is important to maintain a healthy balance in the ecosystem.

“Further study at nor'wester prone areas and comparing results could give more concrete answers on this phenomenon,” says Mohsin Kabir Miron, one of the authors of the paper.

“These are just primary findings, but it throws light on the changing rural landscape. And for now, the key issue remains that environment is being rapidly degraded in Bangladesh and if continued like this, we stand to lose much much more,” says Miron.

The impact of a storm are far and wide and in many landscapes especially forests, it can offer a unique scope for the ecosystem to thrive. Upheaval will give chance of revival. Branches and leaves fall and rot spurring growth. Insects and animals find new nooks and crannies to take cover.

However, deliberately stripping birds and other wildlife of their habitat and reducing tree cover can be detrimental to the conservation of these resident birds. As we encroach into forest-land and destroy habitats it puts our wildlife at significant risk. Wildlife and among them especially birds do not live in the forest alone, they share our living spaces as well.

“Establishing a network of village groves supporting native trees will provide safe resting and nesting habitats for birds,” says Miron.

Not birds alone, village groves and native trees can benefit us too. The rays of scorching summer sun will be a little cooler, the blow of heavy winds a little slower and in the shade of the mango tree, the Mynas will call.

Abida Rahman Chowdhury is an online journalist, The Daily Star.