Chandigarh, December 3, 2011: Today, Yuvsatta and Department of Forests, Chandigarh Administration organized a ‘Bird Watching Trip’ for around 50 students of Gurukul Global School & Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School (Timber Market), Sectro 26, Chandigarh. Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion includes Santosh Kumar, Conservator of Forests & Director, Department of Environment and Saurabh Kumar, Dy. Conservator of Forests, Chandigarh Administration.
Regular bird watchers like Rima Dhillon and Sarabjit Kaur explained to the kids about hundreds of migratory bird who travel every year thousands of miles to reach Sukhna Lake, to escape the harsh cold of their habitats, like brahmi ducks, red-crusted pochards, grebes and geese. And they are being made to feel at home.
Saurabh Kumar explained on the occasion that migratory birds start arriving in the Sukhna wildlife sanctuary from early November and their stay lasts till March or April, depending on the climatic conditions. And these birds are very sensitive; so we have made arrangements to make the environment conducive for them.
Santosh Kumar added that "Nobody is allowed to play loud music or burst firecrackers near the lake and the sanctuary as that might disturb their lifestyle. And migratory birds come from places like Siberia, China and Afghanistan. These are brahmi ducks, common pochards, red-crusted pochards, grebes, geese, shell ducks, marsh ducks, diving ducks, rails, coots, stilts, hill kingfisher, mallard, pintail, cormorants, Siberian ducks, cranes, storks and sandpipers.
According to forest officials, the winged visitors have been congregating here for the last 25 years as conditions in the region are very hospitable for them. They will be in their full strength by December end.
In coming days, volunteers of Yuvsatta and officials of Department of Forests, Chandigarh Administration intends to organize many such educational excursions for local School students.
