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."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Chhattisgarhs-state-bird-Bastar-Hill-Mynah-back-from-the-brink/articleshow/30509249.cms

Chhattisgarh to have its first bird sanctuary soon

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh may not be yet on the radar of international travellers, but it does get flocks if not hordes of winged visitors from all parts of Asiatic Region, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan and Eastern Himalayas. The visitors, which include Gadwall, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Common Greenshank, make the state their home every year, so it was only logical for the government to have a sanctuary for them.

So bird lovers and watchers get ready to feast your eyes with all these beautiful winged creatures, as the state government is all set to make the first Bird Sanctuary in the Wetlands near Nandghat. Spread over an area of 150 acre, this are is home for a host of migratory birdscoming from all parts of the Asiatic region. The sanctuary however, may take another couple of years to come up.

Just 60 km away from Raipur, the Gidhwa pond and the Gidhwa dam, which are one km away from each other, near Nandghat, have been recently identified by the State Forest Research and Training Institute (SFRTI) for setting up the proposed bird sanctuary.

Talking to TOI, KC Yadav, director SFRTI, said that as of now the state has 11 wild life sanctuary and three national parks but no bird sanctuary. "We have sent the proposal to Principal Chief Conservator (PCC) of Wildlife and if all goes well, this would be the first in state," said Yadav.

"This area was identified during the survey of migratory birds under the project on 'Status of Migratory birds and their habitat in Chhattisgarh', which was approved last year in August with a cost of Rs 10 lakh," said Ram Prakash, PCC Wildlife. He said a team is working on it and are in the process of identifying other wetlands also and will submit the report within two years. However, we are in process of seeking a nod from the villagers for agreeing to set up a sanctuary and if they agree a final decision would be taken.

All information will be online once documentation work about migratory birds completed. As the project duration is two years, the data of migratory birds will be online thereafter.

Read on:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Chhattisgarh-to-have-its-first-bird-sanctuary-soon/articleshow/18112539.cms