Sighting of a rare variety of bird species — Red-headed Trogon, for the first time in Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary under Haldwani forest division has enthused all concerned. The interesting fact about the bird is that it rarely changes its habitat. It can thus be found around the same place always, the wild life experts say.
According to bird specialists, about three dozen varieties of this bird are found across the world. Three species of this bird are found in India — Red-headed Trogon, Malabar Trogon and ward’s Trogon, added the wildlife activists. The Red-headed Trogon was for the first time sighted in the Nandhaury Sanctuary’s Machhali Van area recently during a routine round of the forest, said P C Arya, SDO, Nandhaur Sanctuary. This bird is mostly found in India’s north-eastern States like Nagaland. “We are elated having sighted it here in the Terai landscape,” he said, adding that over 300 bird species are found in Nandhaur Sanctuary.
Some of the bird species which are found here are lesser Fish Eagle, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Goosander, Great Hornbill, Red-headed Trogon, Crow-billed Drongo, Rufous Sibia, Short-billed Minivet, Siberian Rubythroat, White-bellied Erpornis, the birdwatchers maintain. Nandhaur Sanctuary lies between the Gola and Sarda rivers in the Haldwani forest division spanning over 269 sq km area. This was declared a wildlife sanctuary in December 2012. Before its notification as a wildlife sanctuary, most of the Nandhaur landscape was known as reserve forest.
Mention worthy, Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its rich natural resources - flora and fauna. With presence of Sal, Shisham, Bamboo, Teak, Chir Pine and riverine forests in abundance, it also provides a favourable habitat for many wild animals like tiger, leopard, elephant, Sloth Bear, Mahaseer and Great Pied Hornbill. Haldwani forest division has already opened the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary for tourists. The wild life experts are of the view that the sanctuary can be used to promote ecotourism with a motley crowd of birds making it their habitat.