“A three-day festival like this would give a big boost to bird tourism in this coastal State, which is at a nascent stage”, said President of Goa Bird Conservation Network (GBCN) Parag Rangnekar in a report by The Hindu.
Goa is set to host its first ever bird festival from November 11 to 13. The festival is touted to be attended by domestic as well as international guests. ‘Ruby throated yellow Bulbul’ Goa’s state bird has been chosen as the logo for the festival.
The Western Ghats constitute one of the 25 mega bio-diversity hot spots in the world and by virtue of its location, the State represents a unique confluence of two diverse eco-systems, one influenced by marine environment and the other by terrestrial forest resulting in an astonishing diversity of species with high endemism, habitats and diversity, said Goa Minister for Environment and Forest Rajendra Arlekar in a report by The Hindu.
Goa’s list of birds is very rich. The state has recorded 432 bird species out 1224 species found in India and 10293 spicies world wide. The registration for the festival is on first cum first served bases for 200 delegates.
Bird watching trips will be organised in wildlife sanctuaries of Bondla and Mollem and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Chorao. Technical sessions would be conducted by renowned personalities from the field of Ornithology. Also, video films on birds will be showcased as part of the bird festival.
