India, blessed with geographical diversity, is home to diverse wildlife, which sets it apart from other countries.
Being a home to multitude of animals and impressive number of birds gracing its skies, India also acts as a temporary shelter for a whole host of migratory birds. Bird watchers and adventure lovers get a treat due to the numerous bird sanctuaries found across the country.
India has a lot to offer to those who want to come out of their concrete surroundings and spent some leisure time in the lap of nature. Being home to more than 1000 bird species, out of which 100 found exclusively in India, the country has a lot to offer.
Ramnagar in Uttarakhand is a place where you can enjoy the beautiful sight of seeing a variety of migratory birds. Now is the season when migratory birds flock to warmer areas to avert the extreme cold of the Arctic region.
Ramnagar is the entrance to the world famous Jim Corbett National Park, the oldest national park and one of the most famous destinations in northern India.
The migratory birds have already started arriving here, and the first stoppage point for these birds in their journey is the Kosi barrage. Migratory birds, especially from Siberia and Ladakh flew here. In the last few years, more than 100 wetland birds have been reported to migrate here.
Ramnagar serves as the place for temporary nests of non-native birds such as mallards, graylag geese, gadwells, teals, shovelers, pochards and coots.
Narrating his beautiful experience of bird-watching, a bird watcher Amitabh said, "Generally the birds sighted here are water cormorant and grand cormorant. The one which I was clicking a photograph of is known as Surkhab (golden pheasant). You must have heard a saying in Hindi which translates to 'Are you as valuable as a Surkhab bird?' So this is that duck. I'm an ardent bird watcher so I am enjoying watching birds here and if I manage to click a good photo, then even better."
The journey of the migratory birds starts right from Siberia and travel through Afghanistan and Central Asia before coming to a halt in India.
The arrival of the birds is witnessed November onwards and continuing till December and their return is marked by the spring season.
Siberian cranes, Rosy Pelican, Ruff, Bluethroat, Eurasian Golden Oriole and Asian Koel are some of the popular varieties of migratory birds.
To make it merrier for the bird-watchers, ponds and wetlands of South Gujarat, including Surat have already turned into shelter for many migratory birds. One can easily spot Lesser Flamingo, Dermoisel Crane, Spot Billed Duck, Brahminy Duck, Common Coot, Mallard, Shoveller, Crested Pochard, Comb Duck, Cotton Teal, Lesser Whistling Teal Brown-headed gulls flying over the Tapi River.
Since Surat has ample water, the migratory birds come and stay here. Many of the birds migrate to the coastal areas and marshlands in Gujarat, due to the abundance of water in these places. The wetlands are used as transitory camps by the birds from Siberia and Central Asia.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
