INDIA: Bird Lovers Flock To UP For Unique Bird Festival

UP is home to more than 500 bird species, including sarus cranes

The ravines of the Chambal and Yamuna, once known for notorious dacoit gangs, witnessed the opening of a unique event on Saturday when UP CM Akhilesh Yadav formally inaugurated the 'UP Bird Festival' at a village near Agra.

Over 300 Indian and international birdwatchers are participating in the event, which is the first of its kind in the country. Tom Appleton, world renowned bird expert who evolved the concept of bird festivals, is also a part of a group of avid bird lovers from around the globe.

The UP Forest Department is upbeat about the response the festival is getting. "The combination of the Taj at Agra and the opportunity to watch exotic migratory birds in the region seems to have clicked," said a senior official.

Dushyant Parashar, avid bird lover and wildlife photographer talked about his experience of bird watching. "I was truly charmed that the river is serving as the perfect home for more than 300 species of migratory and native birds.

It was astonishing to see flocks of birds perching at nearby bushes and flying over the river. Chambal is truly worth visiting," said Parashar.

Talking about his experience Dr Asghar Nawab from WWF said, "Chambal is not only preserving birds but other important animal species such as dolphins, turtles and gharials as well."

Nikhil Devasar, Advisor, UP Forest Department, said, "It's not about the birds alone. It is interesting to see people talking and brainstorming on conservation issues."

UP is home to over 500 bird species, 13 of which are globally marked as threatened. Migrating birds from Europe, Tibet, Siberia and China come here during the winter. Among them are the slender-billed vulture, Bengal florican, black bellied tern, sarus crane, Indian skimmer, and black necked stork.