NATIVE BIRDS ON A VANISHING FLIGHT ( TOI 21/03/2013 ) An endangered species is a species of organisms facing a very high risk of extinction.

The phrase is used vaguely in common parlance for any species fitting this description, but its use by conservation biologists typically refers to those designated Endangered in the IUCN Red List, where it is the second most severe conservation status for wild populations, following Critically Endangered. There are currently 3079 animals and 2655 plants classified as Endangered worldwide, compared with 1998 levels of 1102 and 1197, respectively.The amount, population trend, and conservation status of each species can be found in the Lists of organisms by population. Many nations have laws offering protection to conservation reliant species: for example, forbidding hunting, restricting land development or creating preserves. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, Union internationale pour la conservation de la nature [UICN], in French) is an international organization dedicated to finding "pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges".[1] The organization publishes the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which assesses the conservation status of species. Founded October 1948, Fontainebleau, France Headquarters Switzerland Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland,

Key people Julia Marton-Lefvre (Director General) Zhang Xinsheng (President) Area served Worldwide

FocusNature Conservation; Biodiversity; Nature-based solutions Mission Influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. The more general term used by the IUCN for species at risk of extinction is threatened species, which also includes the less-at-risk category of vulnerable species together with endangered and critically endangered. IUCN categories, and some animals in those categories, include: Extinct: Examples: Atlas bear, Aurochs, Bali Tiger, Blackfin Cisco, Caribbean

Monk Seal, Carolina Parakeet, Caspian Tiger, Dinosaurs, Dodo, Dusky Seaside Sparrow, Eastern Cougar, Elephant Bird, Golden Toad, Great Auk, Haast's Eagle, Japanese Sea Lion, Javan Tiger, Labrador Duck, Moa, Passenger Pigeon, Pterosaurs, Saber-toothed cat, Schomburgk's deer, Short-faced bear, Steller's Sea Cow, Thylacine, Toolache Wallaby, Western Black Rhinoceros, Woolly Mammoth, Woolly Rhinoceros. Extinct in the wild: captive individuals survive, but there is no free-living, natural population. Examples: Barbary Lion (maybe extinct), Catarina Pupfish, Hawaiian Crow, Northern White Rhinoceros, Scimitar Oryx, Socorro Dove, Wyoming Toad Critically endangered: faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future. Examples: Addax, African Wild Ass, Alabama Cavefish, Amur Leopard, Arakan Forest Turtle, Asiatic Cheetah, Axolotl, Bactrian Camel, Brazilian Merganser, Brown Spider Monkey, California Condor, Chinese Alligator, Chinese Giant Salamander, Gharial, Hawaiian Monk Seal, Iberian Lynx, Island Fox, Javan Rhino, Kakapo, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Mediterranean Monk Seal, Mexican Wolf, Mountain Gorilla, Philippine Eagle, Red Wolf, Saiga, Siamese Crocodile, Spix's Macaw, Southern bluefin tuna, Sumatran Orangutan, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Vaquita, Yangtze River Dolphin Endangered: faces a very high risk of extinction in the near future. Examples: African Penguin, African Wild Dog, Asian Elephant, Asiatic Lion, Blue Whale, Bonobo, Bornean Orangutan, Chimpanzees, Dhole, Ethiopian Wolf, Hispid Hare, Giant Otter, Giant Panda, Goliath Frog, Gorillas, Green Sea Turtle, Grevy's Zebra, Hyacinth Macaw, Japanese Crane, Lear's Macaw, Malayan Tapir, Markhor, Persian Leopard, Proboscis Monkey, Pygmy Hippopotamus, Red-breasted Goose, Rothschild Giraffe, Snow Leopard, Steller's Sea Lion, Scopas tang, Takhi, Tiger, Vietnamese Pheasant, Volcano Rabbit, Wild Water Buffalo Vulnerable: faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term. Examples: African Elephant, American paddlefish, Clouded Leopard, Cheetah, Dugong, Far Eastern Curlew, Fossa, Galapagos Tortoise, Gaur, Blue-eyed cockatoo, Golden Hamster, Whale Shark, Crowned Crane, Hippopotamus, Humboldt Penguin, Indian Rhinoceros, Komodo Dragon, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Lion, Mandrill, Maned Sloth, Mountain Zebra, Polar Bear, Red Panda, Sloth Bear, Takin, Yak Near threatened: may be considered threatened in the near future. Examples: African Grey Parrot, American Bison, starry blenny, Asian Golden Cat, Blue-billed Duck, Emperor Goose, Emperor Penguin, Eurasian Curlew, Jaguar, Leopard, Magellanic Penguin, Maned Wolf, Narwhal, Okapi, Solitary Eagle, Southern White Rhinoceros, Striped Hyena, Tiger Shark, White Eared

Pheasant Least concern: no immediate threat to the survival of the species. Examples: American Alligator, American Crow, Indian Peafowl, Baboon, Bald Eagle, Brown Bear, Brown Rat, Brown-throated sloth, Canada Goose, Cane Toad, Common Wood Pigeon, Cougar, Common Frog, Orca, Giraffe, Grey Wolf, House Mouse,[6] Human, Palm cockatoo, cowfish, Mallard, Meerkat, Mute Swan, Platypus, Red-billed Quelea, Red-tailed Hawk, Rock Pigeon, Scarlet Macaw, Southern Elephant Seal, Milk shark, Red howler monkey

Endangered Birds of India

Indian subcontinent is home to a large number of birds and also witnesses the influx of numerous migratory birds. However, since a couple of years, some of these birds are facing an immense threat of extinction. One of the major reasons for Indian birds being endangered is the loss of their habitat, because of deforestation and other human activities. The other reason is large-scale hunting of birds, leading to a rapid decline in their population. From about 1,250 species of birds found in India, approximately 82 species have been listed as threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN 2006). Given below is a list of the most endangered bird species of India, some of which are in a highly critical state: Pink-headed Duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea) Himalayan Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa) Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus) Sarus Crane (Grus antigone) Jerdon's Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus) Forest Owlet (Athene blewitti) White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) Oriental Stork (Ciconia boyciana) Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) White-winged Duck (Cairina scutulata) Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis)

Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indica) Nordmann's Greenshank (Tringa guttifer) Rufous-breasted Laughingthr (Garrulax cachinnans) Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus) HOUSE SPARROW Universally familiar in appearance, the widespread and once abundant house sparrow has become a mystery bird and is becoming increasingly rare all over the world. Perky and bustling, house sparrows have always been seen, mingling with finches in the fields in autumn and winter, but now weeks pass without a single one putting in an appearance. They are vanishing from many big cities, but are still not uncommon in small towns and villages. India has seen a massive decline of sparrows in recent years. On the world map too. History It is thought that the House sparrow originated in the Mediterranean and expanded into Europe with the growth of civilization. At the insistence of man did the sparrow make its way across the Atlantic to the United States. In 1850, green inch worms were destroying trees in New York Citys Central Park. As the house sparrows main diet in England consisted of the same green worms, it was thought that if sparrows were brought to New York City they would solve the worm problem in Central Park. Others thought the sparrow would eliminate crop pests. Food : The house sparrow is an intelligent bird that has proven to be adaptable to most situation, i.e. nest sites, food and shelter, so it has become the most abundant songbird in the world. Sparrows are very social birds and tend to flock together through most of the year. A flocks range covers 1.5-2 miles, but it will cover a larger territory if necessary when searching for food. The sparrows main diet consists of grain seeds, especially waste grain and live stock feed. If grain is not available, its diet is very broad and adaptable. It also eats weeds and insects, especially during the breeding season. The parasitic nature of the house sparrow is quite evident as they are avid seekers of garbage tossed out by

humans. In spring, flowers (especially those with yellow colours) are often eaten crocuses, primroses and aconites seem to attract the house sparrow most. The birds also hunt butterflies. Housing : House sparrows are generally attracted to buildings for roosting, nesting, and cover. They look for any man-made nook or cranny to build their nests. Other nesting sites are clothes line poles with the end caps open, lofts, kitchen garden etc. The sparrow makes its home in areas closely associated with human habitation. In India, it is popularly known as Goraiya in the Hindi belt. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala it is known as Kuruvi. Telugu language has given it a name, Pichhuka, Kannadigas call it Gubbachchi, Gujaratis call it Chakli where as Maharashtrians call it Chimani. It is known as Chiri in Punjab, Chaer in Jammu and Kashmir, Charai Pakhi in West Bengal, and Gharachatia in Orissa. In Urdu language it is called Chirya while Sindhi language has termed it as Jhirki. Features : This 14 to 16 cm long bird has a wing span of 19-25 cms. It is a small, stocky song bird that weighs 26 to 32 grams. The male sparrow has a grey crown, cheeks and underparts, and is black at the throat, upper breast and between the bill and eyes. The bill in summer is blueblack and the legs are brown. In winter the plumage is dulled by pale edgings, and the bill is yellowish brown. The female has no black coloring on the head or throat, or a grey crown her upper part is streaked with brown. The juveniles are deeper brown, and the white is replaced by buff the beak is dull yellow. The House Sparrow is often confused with the smaller and more slender Tree Sparrow, which, however, has a chestnut and not grey crown, two distinct wing bars and a black patch on each cheek The House Sparrow is quite aggressive in usurping the nesting sites of other birds, often forcibly evicting the previous occupants, and sometimes even building a new nest directly on top of another active nests with live nestlings. Eggs are variable in size and shape as well as markings. Eggs are incubated by the female. The sparrow has the shortest incubation period of all the birds, 10 -12 days, and a female can lay 25 eggs each summer. The reproductive success increases with age and this is mainly by changes in timing, with older birds breeding earlier in the season.

How birds help : 1)

Insects do enormous damage to vegetation. Food eaten by a single silkworm in 56 days is 86,000 times that of its weight at hatching. Some flesh-eating larvae consume 200 times their own weight in 24 hours. That is the power of insects.

In Nature, several factors work together to check the growth of insects. The major factor is birds. Most birds are insectivores and prey on insects, their eggs and larvae. A pair of starlings was observed to bring food like caterpillars, grasshoppers to their nestlings 370 times a day. House sparrows bring food to their nestlings 260 times a day. A German ornithologist estimated that single pair of tits and their progeny destroyed 120 million eggs of insects a year. An owl hunts 2-3 rats in a single night. A pair of house rats, bred in ideal conditions, can increase to 880 rats a year. Scavenging birds like vultures clean the environment by devouring dead animals. 2) Birds are equally important for pollination of flowers and seed dispersal. The dodo the modern icon of extinction was called a simpleton as it had no fear of humans. It approached humans too closely and finally died out due to excessive hunting. With the disappearance of the bird, an indigenous tree also died out. The connection: the dodo ate the fruits and the hard shell dissolved in its gizzard. The seeds were then passed out along with its excreta and sprouted where they fell. Without the dodo, the shell of the fruit could not be removed and germination was not possible. 3) The song and flight of birds has inspired melodies, literature, science and inventions. Birds inspired men to fly. After World War II, when humans started to build wide-bodied airplanes, they were unable to land them on a short runway. They thought of vultures. Despite their heavy bodies, they land on a small space and take off just in a few steps. Scientists studied their landing and take-off in slow motion and learnt to build wide-bodied airplanes.

HUMAN IMPACT = Causes of Decline & Threats to Birds

1) One of the major threats faced by birds is from the loss as well as deterioration of their habitat. Trees are being felled at a rapid pace to make way for human settlements as well as agricultural activities. Even aquatic habitats are being drained, plowed, filled in, and channelized. Last but not the least, the introduction of invasive plant and animal species is also altering the natural habitat of birds. 2) Birds are also facing increased competition from one another. Especially the native species of birds are finding it difficult to cope up with the exotic species. 3) The direct exploitation of birds by humans is reaching alarming

proportions. Human activities, such as hunting and capturing birds, are leading to a rapid decline in the bird population.The lack of nesting sites in modern concrete buildings, disappearing kitchen gardens,

4) Birds are highly sensitive to chemicals and toxins and can become fatally sick from inhaling them, either by eating or through their skin. It has been found out that, along with DDT, pesticides and oil spills, even herbicide spraying on lawns leads to death of the birds.The widespread use of chemical pesticides in farmlands has resulted in the killings of insects on which these birds depend. Seed-eating birds like sparrows have to depend on softbodied insects to feed their young ones 5) Even indirect pollution of the atmosphere is having an effect on the population of birds. Things like acid rain have been discovered to affect the population of forest birds. It washes away the calcium of the soil and decreases the amount of calcium-rich prey of the birds, affecting their diet and thus, their population. 6)The nesting, feeding, and roosting areas of birds have faced a lot of disturbance from the human beings, affecting their population 7)There are various causes for dramatic decrease in their population, one of the more surprising being the introduction of unleaded petrol, the combustion of which produces compounds such as methyl nitrite, a compound which is highly toxic for small insects, which forms a major part of a young sparrows diet. 8)The destruction of wetland bird areas, loss of shrub vegetation coupled with reduction in potential breeding sites, has accelerated the rate of decline in the sparrow population in India. Commercial exploitation of wetlands has resulted in the decline of cormorants, pelicans, darters and other birds that depend solely upon fish 9) But the major reason for this decline in their number is the scarcity of insects and grains which serve as protein supplements for the young ones of sparrows. 10)The collection of wild fruits and berries for human consumption has caused scarcity of food for frugivorous birds. The graminivorous birds are lethally affected by insecticides. 11) Game birds are hunted down for meat. Some migratory birds, which come to the Indian subcontinent, are hunted en route in countries where hunting is permitted. The disconnect with and apathy towards birds is so

huge that, leave aside identifying common birds like house sparrows, we dont even sense their decline. Neither the education system nor the government is taking this problem seriously. They say that birds will be happier without humans on earth, but humans cannot survive without birds.

Sparrows as an indicator of change

Since sparrows are sensitive to changes in the environment, they serve as an important bio-indicator for a healthy urban ecosystem, indirectly indicating human health, and their decline today has started resulting in increasing diseases among the people, said Neeraj Khera, Technical Expert Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). She added that the growing numbers of rock pigeons has created an imbalance among the species and they now dominate the bird population. Calling sparrows a star species, Koustubh Sharma, Research Associate, Nature Conservation Foundation & Co-investigator, BNHS-Citizen Sparrow Project, noted that in the same way as snow leopards are considered indicators of climate and environmental changes at higher altitudes, sparrows are indicators of such changes in the urban ecosystem; and hence can be regarded as the snow leopard of the urban ecosystem. Changing human lifestyles, climate change, microwave pollution, human induced changes in species micro-habitat are some of the reasons for this drop in their numbers, added Prakash. According to Dr. V. S Vijayan of the Coimbatore-based Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, though the avian species can still be spotted over two-thirds of the worlds land surface, ironically, there has been a rapid decline in the population of these once abundant birds. Changing lifestyles and architectural evolution have wreaked havoc on the birds habitat and food sources. Modern buildings are devoid of eaves and crannies, and coupled with disappearing home gardens, are playing a part in the disappearing act.

Sensitising citizens for protecting sparrows

Recognising the importance of peoples participation in conservation, Sharma highlighted the Citizen Sparrow Project that aims at creating a constituency for sparrows among the citizens in India. A joint initiative by the Bombay Natural History Society and Ministry of Environment and Forests, this project is inviting inputs by citizens on the sightings of sparrows. The project

ultimately will help in estimating the exact reason for the reduction in the sparrow population. The program so far has received around 7461 contributions from 4701 people at 6019 locations in India.

VULTURE DECLINE
The vultures decline in India due to a pain-relieving drug has been well documented. But what about the other birds that also seem to be on the way out?

In the Ramayan, it was Jatayus excellent vision that helped Ram in his search for Sita. Today, however, the vulture population is the victim of shortsightedness, evident in policies that are destroying delicate eco-systems. The use of the pain relieving drug, Diclofenac, in cattle led to about 97 per cent of vultures that fed on the cattle carcasses being wiped out within a decade. The drug was then banned. But its not just the vultures that are fading from our skies. Many birds, once a common sight, are rarely seen any more: eagles, magpies, kingfishers, owls, sparrows and many more. O.W. Holmes said, A goose flies by a chart the Royal Geographic Society could not improve. If we acknowledge the skill and wisdom of birds, we can solve many a modern-day problem.

Most of us want to live healthy and eat organic. But given that our water, food and air have been poisoned, given the lack of pesticide-free organic food and a sleeping political will, is this even a distant possibility? Perhaps it is. Only if a concerted effort is made to go back to Nature. Some people use creative methods to provide pesticide-free farming and creatures like birds use their natural instincts to provide us with organic food. Lets see how. The most prolific breeders in Nature are insects. Over 3000 species of insects are found in our country and more are being discovered every other day. Take a pair of chinch bugs and breed it. In a single season, it develops 13 generations. In the 12th generation, if we can keep them in a single line assuming there are 10 chinch bugs to an inch this line would be so long that starting from one end it would take 2500 years to reach the other end, assuming we travel at the speed of light. A pair of cabbage aphid can, in a single season, become so numerous that their weight would be three times the weight of all human beings on earth

put together. In a 3300-acre farm in South Africa, locusts laid eggs. Almost all the eggs were dug out; they weighed 14 tonnes! If theyd hatched, there wouldve been 1250 million locusts. Pune based NGO Ela Foundation and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) It has been reported that the two species of vultures, the Oriental Whitebacked Vulture and the Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus, have declined in population by more than 90 per cent throughout India. It was believed that morbid birds exhibit signs of illness (neck drooping syndrome) for approximately 30 days prior to death. We undertook further investigations on this bird, as vultures are threatened with extinction and, therefore, it is of utmost importance to investigate the causes of morbidity and mortality in these birds, said ornithologist Satish Pande from the Ela Foundation, which is also the principal investigator. Here are the six top reasons according to the researchers for the rapid decline of vulture population in India. 1. Electrocution The researchers had rescued an Oriental White-backed Vulture, Gyps bengalensis, which was found in an open field at Bhangaon village in Shrigonda taluka. They conducted studies on the bird and found that it was emaciated but was not poisoned. Shailesh Pawar, Scientist-B, Avian Influenza, NIV, said, Blood, serum, cloacal, faecal and tracheal swabs of the bird were collected and tested at the National Institute of Virology (NIV). There was no evidence of blood parasites or blood infection like malaria or Avian Influenza viruses. When the bird was eventually released, it unfortunately got electrocuted from electricity wires almost 60 km away from the point of release. The researchers thus believe that electrocution, a reason hitherto not mentioned might be leading to more number of vulture deaths. Electrocution from overhead electricity wires is another reason cited in the research, because the larger the bird and its wing span, the higher the chances of electrocution. Some other species that are threatened due to electrocution are Great Indian Bustard, Saras Crane and some species of Eagles, said Pande. 2. Food Shortage Another reason for the decline in vulture population quoted by the experts is shortage of food. This is because the central government has given a directive to villagers to bury the carcasses of dead animals in order to keep

villages clean. While the effort is good, the lack of animal carcasses leaves the vulture hungry and without food. One major reason is shortage of food. As per governments directions under theGram Swachata Abhiyan, livestock carcasses have to be buried and not left outside. This has led to a major reduction in food for vultures. Said Pande. 3. Diclofenac The people of Ela Foundation do not believe that this chemical is harming the vultures as much as projected. This is because the shelf life of Diclofenac is 6 hours and if the vultures do eat the carcasses of animals who have been administered the drug, the chances of the chemical reaching their body is very less. Pande believes that though the use of the chemical may be one of the causes for the vulture deaths, it may not be the sole reason as the drug has also been banned from use and its usage has reduced if not totally stopped. 4. Malaria Some of the vultures they studied were found to be suffering from Malaria. This had led them to conclude that this too may be one of the reasons vultures are dying in the wild. 5. Pesticides Many farmers spray cattle carcasses with the pesticide such as Organochlorineand Organo-phosphorous to prevent them from spreading foul odour. This pesticide infested carcass may be eaten by the vulture leading to its death. The scientists have found instances where hundreds of vultures have died this way. 6. Lack of Nesting Trees Some species of vulture like the Oriental White-backed Vulture prefer to make their nest on coconut trees. But when the trees are chopped off, the vultures lose their home. Some trees may also wither away due to the frequent vulture droppings on the trees, and therefore many times they are cut even though they are healthy. There are therefore number of reasons leading to decline in vulture population. If the concept of vulture restaurants already started in few locations in India is taken to various parts of the country, it may serve as a beneficial and safe way to provide vultures with food and help them live longer.

LEARNING ENGLISH FROM THIS ARTICLE 1) vanish

intr.v. vanished, vanishing, vanishes

1. a. To pass out of sight, especially quickly; disappear. See Synonyms at disappear. b. To pass out of existence. 2. Mathematics To become zero. Used of a function or variable. 2) loom (lm) intr.v. loomed, looming, looms

1. To come into view as a massive, distorted, or indistinct image:. 2. To appear to the mind in a magnified and threatening form: 3. To seem imminent; impend: Revolution loomed but the aristocrats paid no heed. loom 2 (lm) n. An apparatus for making thread or yarn into cloth by weaving strands together at right angles. To weave (a tapestry, for example) on a loom. 3) Dwindling (N)- a becoming gradually less; "there is no greater sadness that the dwindling away of a family" dwindling away , decrease, lessening, drop-off - a change downward; "there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in sales" fading away - gradually diminishing in brightness or loudness or strength | Dwindling (adv) - a) gradually decreasing until little remains b) tapering off, tapering 4) Rampant (adj.) 1. Extending unchecked; unrestrained: a rampant growth of weeds in the neglected yard. c) decreasing - becoming less or smaller

2. Occurring without restraint and frequently, widely, or menacingly; rife: a rampant epidemic; rampant corruption in city government. 3. a. Rearing on the hind legs. b. Heraldry Rearing on the left hind leg with the forelegs elevated, the right above the left, and usually with the head in profile. 4. Architecture : Springing from a support or an abutment that is higher at one side than at the other: a rampant arch. 5) Brink (n.) 1. a. The upper edge of a steep or vertical slope: the brink of a cliff. b. The margin of land bordering a body of water. 2. The point at which something is likely to begin; the verge: "Time and again the monarchs and statesmen of Europe approached the brink of conflict" 1. the edge or margin of a steep place or of land bordering water. 2. any extreme edge; verge. 3. a critical point beyond which something will occur: on the brink of disaster. noun :edge, point, limit, border, lip, margin, boundary, skirt, frontier, fringe, verge, threshold, rim, brim

6) Revere 1 (r-vr) tr.v. revered, revering, reveres To regard with awe, deference, and devotion. [French rvrer, from Old French reverer, from Latin reverr : re-, re- + verr, to respect; see wer-3 in Indo-European roots.] Synonyms: revere1, worship, venerate, adore, idolize These verbs mean to regard with the deepest respect, deference, and esteem. Revere suggests awe coupled with profound honor: "At least one third of the population ... reveres every sort of holy man" (Rudyard Kipling). Worship implies reverent love and homage rendered to God or a god: The ancient Egyptians worshiped a number of gods. In a more general sense worship connotes an often uncritical devotion: "She had worshiped intellect" (Charles Kingsley).

Venerate connotes reverence accorded by virtue, especially of dignity or age: "I venerate the memory of my grandfather" (Horace Walpole). To adore is to worship with deep, often rapturous love: The students adored their caring teacher. Idolize implies worship like that accorded an object of religious devotion: He idolizes his wife. 7) Inimical (adv) - not friendly; "an unfriendly act of aggression"; "an inimical critic" 1. Injurious or harmful in effect; adverse: habits inimical to good health. unfriendly hostile -=characterized by enmity or ill will; "a hostile nation"; "a hostile remark"; "hostile actions" Inimical = adjective = synonyms +hostile, opposed, contrary, destructive, harmful, adverse, hurtful, unfriendly, unfavourable, antagonistic, injurious, unwelcoming, ill-disposed a false morality that is inimical to human happiness Antonyms =good, kindly, welcoming, friendly, helpful, sympathetic, favourable, amicable, affable, congenial