Bird census to begin in Jaldapara Sanctuary on Jan 26

Siliguri, Jan 14 (UNI) The State Forest Department, along with Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation(HNAF), will conduct a bird census at Jaldapara Sanctuary.

The Census would start from January 26 and continue till January 29, Coochbehar Divisional Forest Officer Manindra Biswas told UNI here today adding that Jaldapara sanctuary has been declared as an ''Important Bird Area.'' He said that he had no information about the total number of birds in the sanctuary.

The Census, apart from counting the number of birds, would help in conservation as well.

''Still now, we do not know how many species are living here,'' Mr Biswas said.

He said that the bird census had been conducted earlier at Kulic Bird Sanctuary in South Dinajpur and Rasikbil of Coochbehar in the northern part of Bengal.

A bird observation camp was organised to watch the movement of the birds and a report had been prepared, he said.

''Around 300 species are present in this santuary, out of which 270 species are living in the Jaldapara Sanctuary,'' sources in the department said.

HNAF Secretary Asok Nandi said the number of migratory birds has decreased. However, there is no specific information about it.

The forest department officials, NGOs and students would participate in the Census.

UNI