Birding fair concept proving successful for avian conservation

Fairs lead to Jaipur lake’s restoration as a clean waterbody

Having started in 1997, the concept of annual birding fair adopted in Rajasthan for conservation of birds is proving successful with the 25th fair going to be organised this month-end on the banks of the historic Man Sagar lake in Jaipur. Wildlife enthusiasts and environmental activists in the State have joined hands for giving a lifetime experience to avid bird watchers.

The visitors, assisted by experts from Keoladeo National Park of Bharatpur, have been observing a large number of beautiful aquatic birds in the 400-year-old lake. Hundreds of nature lovers, bird watchers and students and teachers of local schools, enthused at the opportunity to spot waders in their natural habitat with the help of binoculars, throng the lake banks during the fairs.

The conservation efforts have been stepped up with a decline in the number of birds over the years because of lack of aquatic vegetation. Wading birds such as little stint, green sandpiper, small pratincole, pied avocet, Jerdon’s courser, black winged stilt and many more species are spotted with regularity during the annual fairs. These tiny birds are mostly confined to the edges of water.

Man Sagar is an artificial lake named after Man Singh, the then ruler of Amber and a trusted general of Mughal Emperor Akbar, who had built it in 1610 by damming the Dravyavati river. A palace, Jal Mahal, is situated in the middle of the lake. The series of fairs have also led to the lake’s restoration as a clean waterbody hosting a number of migratory birds with the sustained efforts of government and citizens.

The biggest attractions of the fairs are the numerous bird watching sites available at the lake. Children take part in the activities such as open air sessions, bird watching, tattoo making and face painting as well as quiz, drawings and paintings. Experts at the venue explain the significance of each bird in the environment and lay emphasis on their conservation.

The Tourism & Wildlife Society of India (TWSI), the main organiser of the fairs, has brought out a publication on these birds, carrying their taxonomic and common names and identifiable pictures. Experts have also called for better documentation of migratory birds, many of which travel annually to India and spend winter at Man Sagar and go back to their native places in Russia, Mongolia and China to breed.