Kaghaznagar, a birder’s paradise

Rajesh Kanny, working for Forest Dept, captures a wide range of rare bird species in the forest division

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: A staggering array of avian wealth – both local and migratory often found in Kaghaznagar forest division, is being exposed to the outside world. One of the reasons is a promising wildlife photographer Rajesh Kanny. His unshaken dedication helped this region realise how it is a paradise for various bird species, including some rare ones.

Rajesh Kanny, an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU)-Hyderabad, is proving his mettle in wildlife photography by capturing a wide range of bird species dwelling in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district, Kaghaznagar forest division in particular. He was recruited by Forest Department in November, 2017, as their photographer on contract basis for recording avian community of the division.

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The passionate wildlife photographer has photographed over 300 birds, including many rare ones, so far. To his credit, he has recorded Amur Falcon, Bar-headed Goose, Malabar Whistling Thrush, White-rumped Munia, Eurasian Wryneck, Black-capped Kingfisher, Brown-headed Barbet, Crested Bunting, Red-crested Pochard, Blue Throat, Common Teal Ducks, Rufous-bellied Eagle, etc., in Kaghaznagar division for the first time.

“I am always fascinated by nature and wildlife photography. I am fortunate to be working with the Forest Department. I am thankful to the then IFS officer L Ranjith Naik, Forest Divisional Officer A Narsimha Reddy and Forest Range Officer S Venugopal and present District Forest Officer Shantaram for encouraging me,” Rajesh told Telangana Today.

A native of Nirmal district, Rajesh begins his wildlife photography at 5 am and ends at 1 pm, carrying a bag of tele-lenses and tripods. He joins personnel of the wildlife protection team for shooting the birds. “Patience and timing plays a vital role in this branch of photography. One has to be physically fit and needs to adapt to challenging conditions of the wild to excel in this field,” he said.

“Rajesh Kanny is a talented wildlife photographer. Due to his efforts, we managed to record the avian community of this region and let the public know about it. His works are useful in creating awareness on lifestyle, distribution and other aspects of a bird species among foresters and people as well. A field guide booklet, featuring 248 birds, was brought out in 2018,” DFO Shantaram said.

 

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