Balasore: Good news for environmentalists and ornithologists. Some rare species of birds found in the Himalayan ranges and in parts of Europe have been spotted in Kuladiha sanctuary in this district.
As the sanctuary has been emerging as what many call ‘a paradise for birds’, experts have mooted the idea of exploiting its tourism potential.
The development is ample indication of a healthy biodiversity prevailing in the sanctuary which has been home to rare species of birds like Brown Wood Owls, Brown Fish Owls, White Eye Buzzards, Yellow Footed Green Pigeons and Blue Ear King Fishers.
However, decrying tree felling in the sanctuary, locals and ecologists have observed that the ministry of forest and environment should take measures for its protection.
Pictures of these birds have been captured in the lens of retired divisional forest officer (DFO) Suresh Mishra and photographer Manoj Kumar Sahu, who are conducting a research on these avian species.
Significantly, the Balasore wildlife division has initiated efforts to document the birds’ stay in the sanctuary.
A special team of bird experts has been gathering data about birds and their pictures.
The retired DFO himself remains present during the research and has initiated efforts to evolve ways on how to protect these bird species.
Bird experts have found over 300 rare species of birds residing in Kuladiha, but species like Brown Wood Owls, Brown Fish Owls, White Eye Buzzards, Yellow Footed Green Pigeons and Blue Ear King Fishers are endangered ones.
Brown Wood Owls are found in only a few places across the world. Such species love to stay in dark and deep forests where sunrays hardly penetrate.
Besides, the study has also revealed that a host of migratory birds are found in the sanctuary in winter too.
As for the presence of new winged species, Soumik Chatterjee, a research student of Kolkata University, said, “I had spotted the birds species now found in Kuladiha in the Himalayan region. I am happy with the development. The state government should lay emphasis on the protection of the species.”
“We are happy that we have Brown Wood Owls for the first time in the sanctuary. There are several other species of birds and the state government should accord tourist spot status to the sanctuary,” observed retired DFO Mishra.
Local youths will have good earning opportunities while they should be trained on bird conservation measures, he added.
Balasore DFO Harshbardhan Udgata said as the department has no bird expert, identification of bird species is being carried out with help of non-government organisations.
“Emphasis is laid on plantation inside the sanctuary to give push to vegetation. Provision of high ranging binoculars is being made for tourists so that they can enjoy bird-watching,” he added.
However, locals alleged rampant poaching and timber smuggling have been posing serious threat to the flora and fauna in the sanctuary. They recalled a time when leopards used to roam around in Kuladiha, but they are no longer existent. They urged the forest department to take steps against timber mafia for conservation of its flora and fauna. PNN
