Asifabad: 2nd edition of Bird Walk fest gets good response

Penchikalpet (Kumram Bheem Asifabad): The second edition of two-day long Bird Walk Festival, hosted by the forest department, commenced simultaneously in Penchikalpet, Bejjur, Sirpur (T) and Kaghaznagar forest ranges of Kaghaznagar forest division on a colorful note on Saturday. Around 60 wildlife photographers, nature lovers, birders and students belonging to several parts of Telangana attended […]

Penchikalpet (Kumram Bheem Asifabad): The second edition of two-day long Bird Walk Festival, hosted by the forest department, commenced simultaneously in Penchikalpet, Bejjur, Sirpur (T) and Kaghaznagar forest ranges of Kaghaznagar forest division on a colorful note on Saturday.

Around 60 wildlife photographers, nature lovers, birders and students belonging to several parts of Telangana attended the event and clicked photographs of the winged wonders in their habitats. The alarming rise in positive cases of Covid-19 registered by Telangana failed to dampen the spirit of the participants, who enthusiastically turned up for the programme wearing face masks and practising physical distance.

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The participants swarmed important and remote habitats of birds include irrigation tanks, river fronts, a vulture project near Nandigaon village in Penchikalpet mandal, situated in Penchikalpet, Bejjur, Sirpur (T) and Kaghaznagar forest ranges since early morning. They captured images of the birds dwelling in the habitats and scenic locations. They soaked in the wilderness of the region.

Mohammad Ahmed Irshad, a chartered accountant of Hyderabad told ‘Telangana Today’ that he had enrolled to participate in the programme after learning about it through the internet. He said that he enjoyed the event and the forests of this region was serene. He expressed satisfaction over arrangements made by the forest department.

Professor Madhukar Gandra of Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU)-Hyderabad stated that he was taking part in the walk for the second time. He claimed that he shot photographs of migratory bird Shikra in the forests of Palarapu cliff on the outskirts of Nandigaon village. He added that he spotted aquatic birds in Peddavagu rivulet too.

The participants were provided accommodation, transportation and dining facilities at base camps. They were guided by local foresters and watchers. They were visibly excited to spend time in nature and get rejuvenated from the hustle-bustle of urban lifestyle. They attended a campfire organized in the evening and shared their insights to conserve the forests and winged wonders.

District Forest Officer S Shantaram, who visited the event in Gundepalli base camp, said that despite spurt in positive cases of Covid-19, the event evoked a good response. He stated that similar thematic events would be organized in the future. He added that the objective of the event was to expose the forests to nature lovers and to show the potential of the wild to locals.

Penchikal Forest Range Officer S Venugopal, deputy FRO G Rama Devi, FSOs Sudhakar, Jaganmohan Goud and forest beat officers were present.