Local knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices provided by the Painted Stork <Mycteria leucocephala> Pennant, 1769 (Aves: Ciconiidae) in northern India: insights for conservation

Understanding the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of the local communities towards the target species before implementing any awareness-based programmes is essential for the success and long-term protection of the species. No studies have yet been conducted on local knowledge, attitudes, perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices, threats and possible recommendations for conservation of the Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala in northern India. To fill this gap, a study was conducted in August–September 2024 in villages of Etawah District, Uttar Pradesh, India, where Painted Stork builds nests in farmland in human-dominated areas. The study employed a questionnaire survey, containing both closed and open-ended questions, administered to 200 respondents. All the respondents identified the species, and a majority knew its local name, breeding ecology, foraging ecology, and population trend. A majority of the people (52%) liked the species, supported conservation of the species (51%), felt the need for awareness programmes (52%), and were ready to participate in nest monitoring training (47%) & awareness programmes (58%). At the same time, a majority of the people were reluctant to report hunting (48%), reluctant to take the injured birds to veterinary doctors (46%), and lacked knowledge on the bird’s conservation status (64%). People perceived 12 ecosystem services and five ecosystem disservices provided by Painted Stork, with pest control (50%) being the highest cited service and crop destruction (72%) the most cited disservice. According to the respondents, the highest threat to the species is wetland loss (59%). A majority recommended that conservation efforts should focus on organizing awareness programmes (52%) and implementing wetland management and conservation (50%). Furthermore, respondents believed the community should take the initiative in these efforts (48%). This study emphasizes intensified awareness programs, wetland conservation and management and protection of nesting trees, among other measures, to ensure the conservation of this species outside protected areas. It provides the essential baseline for conservationists, researchers, and policy makers to design effective conservation and management strategies involving local communities and policies for research and conservation of Painted Stork.