Tourists’ movements from across the globe to Uttarakhand may have been slow due to winter season, but migratory birds from far trans Siberian zones and other parts of this region have started thronging the wetlands of the hill State’s terai — Bhawar landscape to protect themselves from sub-zero temperature of the upper Himalayan region.
A motley crowd of bird species both migratory and domestic ones now has become a centre of attraction for onlookers nowadays in this terai-bahwar belt. Among others the migratory birds which can be seen flocking the different water reservoirs here include Rudy Shell Duck, Common Pochard, Malard, Bar Headed Goose , Tufted Duck , Green Sand Piper to name a few.
The interesting fact is that many an experts may not be aware of names of these migratory and domestic birds, but locals here seem to be quite familiar with these birds following these avian guests’ regular visit to these rather warm places of the hill State every year during this period. Therefore, occasional visitors particularly the bird lovers can be seen taking help of local people in identifying some of these avian guests.
Some of the areas which are nowadays flooded with footfalls of these migratory birds include locals rivers like Boar, Ramganga, Koshi and Begul and Tumria dam, Haripura’ jalasay’, Nanakmatta dam, Sharda barrage and other artificial water bodies spreading across this terai-bahwar region. As has been witnessed, it has become rather a routine affair for these migratory birds to visit this terai-bhawar region during winter season every year. The interesting fact is that even the increasing human interferences like urbanisation have not deterred these Siberian guests from visiting this region.
Among other things it seems the terai-Bhawar belt of Uttrakhand is a favourite destination for these migratory avian guests mainly because of its rich natural resources, flora and fauna and wetlands. These water bodies are not only a drinking water source but also provide necessary foods to them. It is to note that ideally post monsoon season, declining trends in atmospheric temperature marks the beginning of the migration of these bird species from the subzero trans Himalayan /Siberian zones of the globe to the plains of State.
With commencement of winter season, movements of migratory birds have also started here, said S P Singh, Divisional Forest Officer, the terai-central forest division, while talking to The Pioneer. It is a routine movement of these birds. However, to protect these birds from external threats like poaching we intensify our patrolling, mobilising our existing resources, added Singh.
Whereas it remains a kind of challenge for the forest officials concerned to protect these avian guests from poachers during their stay here, for many particularly the bird lovers and tourists presence of these migratory birds is a source of entertainment also. Thus the local people and those associated with tourism activities here are of the view that the Government must integrate this winter annual sojourn of these migratory birds with tourism. Tourists also visit Uttarakhand even during the winter season. Had bird watching during this season been promoted, it would have come in handy to boost the tourism sector, says Sharad Kumar, a tour operator here.
The interesting fact is that visitors also demand addition of such nature train in their tour package, he adds.