Chandigarh, November 28, 2008: Today, to popularize the concept of Bird Watching, volunteers of YUVSATTA with help from Department of Forests, Chandigarh Administration organized a ‘Bird Watching Trip’ in the wildlife sanctuary behind the Sukhna Lake, where the tree-shaded shores is a favorite spot for strolling and bird watching.
With a emphasis on creating a bond between ‘Birds and Young Children, the three hour event drew 45 young students of Ajit Karam Singh International Public School & The Gurukul School.
Initially Karan Singh, the Range Officer of Forest Department introduced children with the birds. He said "Birds are excellent natural indicators of the health of many ecosystems They are a natural way to control pests in gardens, on farms, and other places. They aid in the polarization of plants. In view of their eating habit become agents of seed dispersal. Above all things, what birds gave us was the dream of flying. So, its important learn about them".
Besides lots of Peacock-the national bird, two experts on birds who were with the students Narbir Kahlon from Avian Habitant & Wetland Society and Sarabjeet Kaur from AKSIPS, showed children the various types of birds like Common coot, Wide throated Fantail Flycatcher, Black Kite, Coppersmitth Barbet, Barheaded Geese, Rufous Treepie, Wabler, Cormorant, Brown headed barbet, Pied Kingfisher, Red Jungle Fowl, Grey Heron, Babbler etc. which Students jotted down in their note books.
Sharing his view Mr. Parmod Sharma, Coordinator of Yuvsatta and organizer of the trip said that In modern cities like Chandigarh the urban architecture didn’t allow space for birds to make nests. The flowering or artificial trees will be the last place for birds to make nests and there are not enough fruit trees in the city, to give space for birds to grow…resultantly birds are going out of not only such cities, but as a result of growing urbanization many species are becoming extinct altogether from earth. He advised students to prepare and place artificial nests outside their homes to invite more birds into our city.
Mr. Narbir Kahlon further added that each one of us should make efforts to conserve the rich biodiversity of this region and help birds to flourish in our vicinity.