PATNA: With a view to creating awareness among the people about resident and migratory birds, a three-day festival, christened ‘Kalrav’, will be organized at Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries in Jamui district from January 15 to 17.
Hundreds of bird lovers, ornithologists, and conservationists will participate in the festival which will be inaugurated by chief minister Nitish Kumar on January 16. He will also open the newly built Bird Sensitization Centre in Jhajha.
Jamui divisional forest officer Satyajeet Kumar told this newspaper on Tuesday, “Although more than 25,000 migratory birds visit the Nagi-Nakti wetlands every year, they are yet to catch the attention of outsiders. Hence, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the state forest department and the Bombay Natural History Society for promoting bird tourism.”
He added, “Activities like race, quiz for schoolchildren, cycle rally, ‘kho kho’, ‘kabaddi’, boating, birdwatching and painting competition will be conducted during the festival. There will also be stalls selling bamboo handicrafts, sikki grass crafts, marble sculptures and souvenirs.”
The main programme will be organized at the Nagi Bird Sanctuary and other events at the Nakti sanctuary.
The state joint director of the Zoological Survey of India, Gopal Sharma, appreciated the forest department’s initiative, saying, “The three-day ‘Kalrav’ will create awareness among the people and provide protection to thousands of migratory birds visiting the region. Such festivals are being organized in states like Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Nagaland and Goa.”