With growing public and governmental support to wildlife and environment conservation, several designated bird sanctuaries in the subcontinent are transforming into major tourist attractions, much to the delight of ornithologists, actual and potential. The preferred habitat of 1,200 avian species, i.e 14 percent of bird species on planet earth, India is a bird-watcher’s paradise, especially during the winter season (November-March) when migratory birds wing their way to the subcontinent. If you are an ornithologist — actual or potential — interested in observing our feathered friends displaying their exotic plumage and enchanting birdsong, it’s the time of the year for bird watching. Man’s relationship with birds is ancient and birds have played a major role in legends, religious customs, and literature besides inspiring several orchestral compositions. Since the 12th century and perhaps earlier, in the desert kingdoms of the Middle East where falconeering and bustard hunting is a national sport, bird gaming was a feudal passion and a blessing in disguise as several kings developed bird sanctuaries to attract migratory winged creatures. By mid-20th century with alarming reports of depletion of numerous avian species streaming in worldwide, bird-watching — rather than hunting — emerged as a civilized pastime as ornithologists armed with books, cameras, binoculars and telescopes added a new dimension to wildlife tourism. Now with bird hunting banned in most countries, including India, and growing public and governmental support to wildlife conservation, several designated bird sanctuaries are transforming into major tourist attractions. Fortunately, given the widespread sanctity for all life forms in India (unlike Communist China where almost all bird life was snuffed out during the Great Leap Forward of 1958-1960), birds can be seen in most national parks and sanctuaries all year round. India’s most popular bird sanctuaries are detailed hereunder. Chilika National Park, Orissa The largest lagoon (swelling to 11,000 sq. km in the monsoon) along the east coast of India spanning the districts of Puri and Ganjam in the state of Orissa (pop 44million), Chilika is one of the ecological hotspots of India and shelters a number of endangered species in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list. The lagoon is a unique pot-pourri of marine, brackish and fresh water eco-systems with estuarine characteristics. It is an avian haven and the wintering ground of more than one million migratory birds of over 800 rare species from around the world. In the popular imagination, Chilika is an endless vista of flamingos feeding in the shallow waters of the lagoon. Among other feathered species here are grey and purple herons, egrets, spoonbills, storks and white ibis, brahminy ducks, shovellers, pintails, gadwall, teals, pochards, geese and coots — all of whom are ubiquitous on Nalban island and its vicinity. Moreover numerous raptors frequent the lagoon, especially the pariah and brahminy kites. Other avian winter visitors include the kestrel and the globally threatened peregrine falcon. Quite obviously the winter months (December-March) are the best time for birdwatching. The Chilika Lake Wetland Centre (10 a.m-5 p.m) is a professionally…
