Goa bird-lovers organised BirdsofMhadei walk at Campal on May 13

The Goa Bird Conservation Network (GBCN) organised ‘BirdsOfMhadei’, a bird-walk on Saturday (May 13) at Campal to showcase the rich bird diversity of the Mhadei region in the run up to the upcoming ‘Mhadei Amchi Mai festival’ aimed at raising awareness about the importance of the river conservation.
The bird-walk which has been organised at the Francisco Luis Gomes Garden in Campal offered an opportunity for all the people to encounter a plethora of different bird species and understand their linkages to the Mhadei ecosystem. Showcasing the beauty and significance of the bird species, GBCN hopes to encourage people to take an active interest in conservation efforts.
The walk was led by GBCN's Vice President Omkar Dharwadkar, who has extensive knowledge and experience on bird habitats in Goa. Participants got a chance to observe different species of birds and learn about their behaviour and habitat.
“The bird-walk is one step towards achieving the goal of making the general public aware of the rich diversity of the region,” says Dharwadkar. GBCN invites bird enthusiasts and nature lovers along with everyone else to participate in the bird-walk and join the collective effort to protect the rich biodiversity of the Mhadei region.
The Mhadei region is home to a vast number of bird species and while it is not possible to give an exact number, there are close to 300 species found in the area. However, different species depend on different habitats and the impact of human activities on the ecosystem may affect the presence of certain species.
Mhadei is a riverine ecosystem and the habitat changes all along its course as it passes through the forest down to the sea. Birds play a crucial role in pollinating trees, and many wild fruits and other forest produce depend on them. They also help control the population of insects and rodents, making them an essential part of the ecosystem.