A CORRESPONDENT
BOKAKHAT: Considering it a safe haven, various rare species of herons have built nests using bamboo, captivating the hearts of tourists. These innocent birds have formed a white canopy in the rural area of Panidihingia village, located beside National Highway 37 in Mahura mouza under Bokakhat subdivision. In Panidihingia, the treetops are occupied by flocks of herons along with different species of kingfishers. Every year, in the month of Chot (April–May), these birds take shelter in several trees in the village. In the months of Ahin and Kati (October–November), they leave for other places. However, a few birds stay back, as if waiting for the others to return. The residents of Panidihingia take great pride in these nearly-endangered birds, for their melodious calls bring joy to the villagers. The constant chirping and calls of these birds fill the village with life, and their musical notes bring a sense of tranquillity. Because of this, the villagers make sincere efforts to prevent miscreants from killing the birds for their meat. They act almost like forest guards.
Situated near the Dhansiri river and Gelabeel, the village is surrounded by many water bodies, canals, ponds, and wetlands, ensuring an abundant supply of food like fish and snails for the birds. As a result, these migratory birds never face a food shortage in Panidihingia. However, some villagers complained that the forest department had taken no initiative to protect them. A nature lover from the village, Chandra Phukan, said that along with herons, kingfishers too have been taking shelter in Panidihingia for the past 50 years. “We villagers have lived alongside them because the birds have never caused us harm. But if any predator comes, we always try to drive it away immediately. We have never been stingy in providing shelter and protection to the birds,” he said.
The humanitarian approach of Panidihingia’s residents towards these birds is exemplary and highly commendable. The birds breed here and later fly away to other lands. The exact species and subspecies of these birds remain unidentified to this day.
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