Chhattisgarh's state bird Bastar Hill Mynah back from the brink

Rashmi Drolia, TNN | Feb 16, 2014, 12.32PM IST

RAIPUR: There is some good news for bird enthusiasts. Chhattisgarh's state bird, Bastar Hill Mynah, was on the verge of extinction — now, its flock is increasing. A group of 150 whistling birds were spotted at Netanar, on fringes of Kanger Valley National Park, about 27km from Jagdalpur in Bastar, claim wild enthusiasts.

Chhattisgarh wildlife society president AMK Bharos told TOI, "Earlier, frequent sightings of Hill Mynah couldn't be done as they were on the brink of extinction. Now, there is a possibility of increase in their numbers."

He said like other winged creatures, Mynahs also move from one place to another in search of food. With climatic changes, they migrate to parts of neighbouring Odisha. "One can't capture them or restrain them at a place for conservation. State wildlife society has written to the forest department to locate trees on which mimic birds feed like those of ficus trees. Earmarking these trees would certainly help in Mynah's conservation."

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