Australian national takes part in Asifabad bird walk

Julie, an avid naturalist from Australia along with her friend Manogna Reddy from Hyderabad expressed happiness to visit the pristine landscape of Kagaznagar

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: One of the participants of a two-day-long bird walk festival conducted by the forest department in Kagaznagar division was an Australian national, surprising the officials. The event concluded on Sunday.

Julie, an avid naturalist from Australia along with her friend Manogna Reddy from Hyderabad expressed happiness to visit the pristine landscape of Kagaznagar. She opined that she was spell-bound by the forests and biodiversity inhabiting here. She disclosed that she was not aware of the forests of Telangana till recently. She stated that she was satisfied by the arrangements and hospitality extended by the officials.

Kagaznagar Forest Divisional Officer Sushant Bobade said that the programme evoked an overwhelming response from the nature lovers from across Telangana. He stated that around 70 bird species were sighted by the participants in the two days. Some of the birds were migrants, while others were common ones. International wetlands day was observed during the event, he explained.

Around 35 ardent nature lovers, wildlife photographers, birdwatchers, experts and students belonging to several parts of Telangana participated in the event and sighted the winged winders inhabiting irrigation tanks and streams in Kagaznagar and Penchikalpet ranges. They clicked photographs of the birds, while soaking in the lap of nature, relishing campfires at night and savouring indigenous cuisines served by the officials.

Green bee-eater, white throated kingfisher, Asian openbill, red-crested pochard, yellow-footed green pigeon were among various bird species spotted by the participants.