2-day 'Live and let fly' workshop concludes

Our correspondent

Itagar, April 10: With an aim to spread awareness about the importance of birds for a healthy ecosystem, a two-day workshop on birding and bird guide—“Live and let fly”— was organized by the Hapoli Forest Division in Ziro, in collaboration with the Aruchal Pradesh Birding Club, at Tale Wildlife Sanctuary on April 7 and 8 last.

The sanctuary harbours some of the critically endangered species of wild flora and fau and is also a home to more than 350 species of birds with some rare species such as Wards Trogon, Green Cochoa, Wren babbler, Manipur Fulvetta, Parrot bill, etc.

 Dr Ranjan Das, a renowned ornithologist from Assam, spoke about the birding and bird tourism and how it can generate livelihood for the unemployed youth of the State.

Dr Daniel Mize from Rajiv Gandhi University dwelt on the evolution of birds and the rate at which the population of birds are declining due to human interference.

Tajum Yomcha, Research Officer from mdapha Tiger Reserve, spoke about wildlife and the importance of its conservation for the future generation. On the second day, the participants trekked 7-km for a birding tour starting from Manipolyang upto Pange camp. They were briefed about the birding techniques and the ethics of bird watching.

DFO Koj Rinya said the participants were mainly the youth from Lower Subansiri and Kamle districts. Altogether, 32 persons participated from the NGO Ngunu Ziro, Apatani Youth Association, Joram Area Welfare Society, All Raga Area Students Union and Tropical Exploration Society.

The youth need sensitization on the ecological, economic and heritage values of our avifaul wealth, she stressed. Altogether, 110 bird species were recorded during the field activity with the important finding being the Green Cochoa, the DFO added.