M F AHMAD
Daltonganj, Feb12: Asian Waterbird Census was carried out today in Palamu and Latehar with more pragmatism than with any feverish pitch.
Malay dam in Palamu, Kamaldah jheel in Palamu Tiger Reserve and Lalmatia dam in Latehar were visited today for water and migratory birds.
Sources said the Lalmatia dam in Latehar was jointly visited by DC Latehar Abu Imran and DFO Latehar Roshan Kumar.
DC Abu Imran said, “It is time we should conserve birds and more and more people should be aware that birds matter too.” He said he browsed through a book of birds and found it interesting.
DFO Roshan Kumar said, “Honestly speaking, we did not do a bird census today. We did sight the birds. Bird sightings have their pleasure.” He wished more and more people should do it.
Deputy Director (North division) of the Palamu Tiger Reserve Kumar Ashish said, “Our principal chief conservator of forest wildlife has called upon for creating awareness of the birds among the masses.”
It is opportune to mention here that although it is Palamu Tiger Reserve, the major chunk of this reserve falls in the Latehar district.
At Kamaldah Jheel, many bar-headed geese were found. “This is a migratory bird,” said one young bird lover Manish.
Sources said the Malay dam and Lalmatia dams are good resorts for water birds and migratory birds.
The Latehar DFO was asked which of these two dams he finds as a good home for the water birds or a temporary resort to the migratory birds.
“Both the water bodies have their distinct features and should not be compared for the address of the birds,” he replied.
“Malay dam is vast and has a large expanse in comparison to the Lalmatia dam. Nevertheless, both the water dams are suitable for the birds in their way,” added the DFO.
On the question, if salinity in water matters to the birds, DFO Roshan Kumar said that he doesn’t have any specific input on the salinity of water and presence of the waterbirds at the moment but going by the freshness of the water in these two dams, one can be assured of the winged guests.
Deputy Director North division of PTR Kumar Ashish said bird count or avian love is but a citizen science and let there be lots of respect for the birds also.
