Celebrate the local and migrant avi faunal
diversity while
enjoying field trips, special events and activities at Cotigao Wildlife
Sanctuary in Canacona, a hotspot of ecology and rich biodiversity. With almost
40 per cent of the bird species from the country being recorded in Goa, the state
is set to host the second edition of the Bird Festival from January 12 to 14,
2018 at Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, focusing on oceanic birds.
The festival is being organised by the Goa Forest Department, in
association with Tourism Department, Economic Development Corporation and Goa
Bird Conservation Network and Birderpics. com.
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Considered to be one of the most prominent meetings for
well-known naturalists, experts, forest officers, bird photographers and bird
scientists, the Goa Bird Festival was first held at the Bondla Wildlife
Sanctuary in Ponda.
“These Bird Festivals are being held in different geographical
locations of Goa each time, not only to highlight bird diversity but also to
facilitate participation and discussions amongst avian professionals from
around the globe. Since the first edition, the Goa Bird Festival has provided
the platform where ornithologists working, researching and studying all over
the globe meet to share up-to-date research and conservation accomplishments
and concerns,” says a government official.
“For the 2018 edition, we welcome forest officers, scientists,
conservationists, artists, birders, photographers and nature enthusiasts from
around the world. This time, the organisers have broken the mould by combining
an array of varied events to celebrate birds in all their dimensions – science,
conservation, art, music, film, photography, travel and outdoor adventure. At
the three-day festival, delegates and public alike will be engaged, educated
and entertained through presentations, exhibitions, an all-encompassing trade
show, tours and workshops on birds,” adds the official.
Pelagic bird surveys by the Goa Bird Conservation Network (GBCN)
over the past year have revealed that a number of marine birds come close to
the shore post-monsoon. This makes spotting of marine birds during this period
a visual treat for enthusiasts.
Principal Conservator of Forest Ajay Saxena reveals that the
event will have bird sightings at the sanctuary and the coastal belt covering
Galjibag and the surrounding area. These nature and bird watching trails have
been designed for the visitors to check out the various indigenous birds and
migratory species that regard Goa as their home. Bird walks are being planned
with experts and guides in Cotigao and the adjoining Netravali Wildlife
Sanctuary.
Saxena adds that of the 1,224 bird species recorded in India,
out of 10,293 in the world, Goa has 450 species on record, which include some
endangered ones.
“There are hundreds of migratory birds that visit the coast. Goa
being rich in coastline, wetlands and water bodies, one can see a lot of
oceanic birds taking shelter here for a small period. Some of the birds are
endemic to the region as the state offers a unique confluence of two diverse
ecosystems — tropical forests and marine,” Saxena elaborates.
While delegates from across the world have registered for the
festival, renowned personalities in the field of ornithology, vulture
conservation and wildlife caricaturists will conduct technical sessions at
Cotigao. Vibhu Prakash, scientist, Bombay Natural History Society will deliver
the keynote address on conservation of vultures.
Some of the other lectures are that will take place during the
festival are Recording Bird Calls by Pratap Singh, Bird Calls and Songs by
Sharad Apte, Science behind Superstitions by Satish Pande and Pelagic Birds of
Western Coast and Birds of Western Ghats by Shiv Shankar. Rohan Chakraborty
from Nagpur will conduct a session on Drawing of Birds while Karthikeyan from
Jungle Lodges and Resorts, Karnataka, will hold a discussion on Organising
Nature Camps – the JLR experience.
An origami workshop by Coralie D’Lima from WWF, a talk on green
humour by Rohan Chakraborty, guided walks by the Goa Bird Conservation Network
and film shows on nature are also on the agenda.
A
special edition of Indian Birds with articles on the birds of Goa will be
released. The findings of the long-term bird survey and monitoring in Cotigao
Wildlife Sanctuary, undertaken by the Forest Department and GBCN, will also be
released.
