The Forest and Tourism Departments have come together to host the event, which will give visitors a chance to view some species that can only be seen in Goa.
“This is going to be a first of many bird festivals in Goa, because we have so much to showcase in terms of bird habitats and Goa is home to nearly a third of all the bird species in the country,” a senior forest official said.
He said India is home to around 1224 species of birds while the State has 432 species. “There are almost 100 identified birding hotspots in the State where significant species diversity has been recorded,” official said.
Participants will be given tours of Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Chorao and sites in Carambolim and Mollem for bird watching.
The official explained that the State represents a unique confluence of two diverse ecosystems, one influenced by marine environment and the other by terrestrial forests resulting in astonishing diversity of species with high endemism, habitats and diversity.
As part of the festival, a parallel event ‘Wildlife Film Festival’ will be held during the period wherein international films will be screened, at Goa Science Centre, Miramar.
