Conservation steps for Goa birds is the need of the hour.
Goa is a state that has a beautiful wide green cover. The beauty of land lies when houses and forest thrive together in harmony. The green foliage are habitats for several avian species. However, to an untrained eye, these brilliant species often go unnoticed, unless you spot a gorgeous peacock or the elusive yet glorious paradise flycatcher. Like them, there are several hundred other species out there, which however, need conservation as the numbers are on a decline, say birders. “Conservation is our main aim. People in general need to become aware and be sensitised to these avian species, and only then will they help with the conservation,” says Assistant Conservator of Forest Paresh Porob, an instrumental figure of the festival.
Since the beginning of the year, the Goa’s birding community are keeping busy with bird walks, bird talks and many other birding related activities. With the Goa Bird festival around the corner, the Forest Department, in tandem with other environmental groups, is gearing up for the event with several pre-festival activities from bird walks, bird talks to a host of other bird-related activities.
Mandar Bhagat – from the Goa Bird Conservation Network, who conducts multiple bird walks, says this year he has noticed a decline in a few avian species including European Roller, Black Headed Gulls and many Migratory Ducks; spotting only a few uncommon species like the Indian Roller and Purple heron.
Talking about the changing patterns of birds, Harshada Naika – from Arannya Environment Research Organisation – adds that bird numbers have either declined or they have moved to other places. “The wetlands, for example, are very important to birding. Any change in the depth of the water body, whether it is shallow or deeper than usual either due to landfilling or agricultural irrigation, it affects the kind of birds visiting. I think there is a need for a thorough study of the avian population patterns from over the past ten years”.
Another partner in the Goa Bird Festival, Arannya Environment Research Organisation is hosting awareness activities for schools across the state. “We aim to reach about 5000 students. We are imparting knowledge about the issues that plague the avian fauna, and also providing solutions and talking about career options in conservation. Birdwatching is fundamental to any career in conservation; any conservationist has invariably started their journey with birding,” says Harshada Naik.
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