PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME

(Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism)

Introduction

BIRDING POPULARITY

International statistics show that most of the tourists are nature lovers and a considerable number out of them are birdwatchers. In Europe & America, every second travel company offers 'Birding Tours'. We all know that birdlife in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia etc has been very well publicised and the travel industry there is largely dependent on operating ' Birding Tours'. There are numerous ' Bird Clubs' in these countries and ' Birding' is an activity that starts at the school level. No other field science, other than ornithology, allows comfortable mixing of experienced amateurs, literate semi-professionals & hardcore professionals. The bird watching fraternity, forming the largest group among the nature lovers, conservationists and experts are always keen and open in sharing each others field experience. Every 'Birder' is keen to travel places to add to his checklist and learn more interesting facts about this popular science. The 'Birder' would extend all his resources to see an interesting 'Lifer'.

EASTERN INDIA BIRDING

Eastern India is home to more than 850 species of birds and is considered as being the richest birding area in the country. The area comprises of the Eastern Himalayas, represented by a stretch of extremely rugged mountain country along the northern border of India. It lies roughly between latitudes 26`30' and 28` N, and longitudes 87` and 97`30'E. Its nearness to the sea and inflow of the moisture laden southwest monsoon winds makes it the most humid tract to the entire Himalayan chain. The lower latitude and relatively warmer climate have resulted in higher timberline, higher alpine zone and higher snowline zone than in the Western Himalayas. Moist steamy & tropical valleys occur in the foothills flanked by densely forested slopes seemingly side by side with great snow-capped mountain ranges. The abrupt juxtaposition of so many different biotopes or life zones - ranging from almost plains level to over 6000 mts, and from tropical heat to arctic cold, has given to the Eastern Himalayas a flora & fauna that for richness and variety is perhaps unequalled in the world. Sheltered in the rain-shadow lie dry, practically rainless valleys, add to the ecological complexities of the jumbled habitats and make the area as a whole particularly rich in birds, plants & insect life.

BIRDING AND COMMUNITY TOURISM

Birding is usually done in areas which have considerable natural habitats. Hence such destinations are away from towns & cities where there is lack of tourist hospitality infrastructure. The best birds can actually be seen from villages adjoining to the natural covers. Community tourism can be developed in villages with 'Birding' as a major activity. Birdwatchers are field people and can easily adapt to clean & basic services that the villagers can always be trained in. To develop 'Community Tourism' in the East Himalaya, Association For Conservation & Tourism has taken a major integrated developmental programme.

Area of Work in the First Phase
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) Area of Work in the First Phase EAST HIMALAYA East Himalaya is a part of one of the EIGHT HOTTEST BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS of the world. This...Read More[+]
Advisory Board
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) Advisory Board Bill Harvey At 54 years of age, we better know William G. Harvey as Bill Harvey. He has worked with the British Council in...Read More[+]
Project Proceedings First Phase
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) Project Proceedings First Phase In the first phase of the project survey of the region has been done with the help of the advisory board...Read More[+]
Systematic List (1 to 30)
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) Systematic List (1 to 30) The taxonomy, sequence and nomenclature in this report follow Grimmett, Inskipp & Inskipp. Note that where...Read More[+]
Systematic List (31 to 61)
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) Systematic List (31 to 61) White-rumped Needletail Zoonavena sylvatica About five seen clearly in flight at Gorumara on 22/11. The...Read More[+]
Systematic List (62 to 92)
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) Systematic List (62 to 92) Pallas's Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus A big surprise was of a fine adult soaring with a few vultures...Read More[+]
Systematic List (93 to 122)
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) Systematic List (93 to 122) Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus All the sightings were of birds seen en-route,on 21/11, 23/11 and 29/11. ...Read More[+]
Systematic List (123 to 153)
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) Systematic List (123 to 153) Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis Excellent views of a feeding flock of 25 birds, subspecies pelvica,...Read More[+]
Systematic List (154 to 184)
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) Systematic List (154 to 184) White-capped Water Redstart Phoenicurus leucocephalus One bird was seen en-route near the Teesta river...Read More[+]
Systematic List (185 to 215)
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) Systematic List (185 to 215) Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus The flaviventris subspecies was fairly common in the Gorumara...Read More[+]
Systematic List (216 to 246)
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) Systematic List (216 to 246) Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus Only recorded from the Gorumara area. Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix...Read More[+]
Systematic List (247 to 264)
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) Systematic List (247 to 264) Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna Singles were seen at Gorumara, Chapramari and Mahakal Trail,...Read More[+]
India: Birding North Bengal & Sikkim (6 - 24 November 2003)
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) India: Birding North Bengal & Sikkim (6 - 24 November 2003) I have just returned from a tour of North Bengal and Sikkim with Sujan Chatterjee,...Read More[+]
Second phase
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) India: Birding North Bengal & Sikkim (6 - 24 November 2003) Second phase The first phase of the project has been undertaken by the members...Read More[+]
Third Phase
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) India: Birding North Bengal & Sikkim (6 - 24 November 2003) Second phase The first phase of the project has been undertaken by the members...Read More[+]
Results
PROJECT : EAST HIMALAYA BIRDING PROGRAMME (Project undertaken by : Association for Conservation & Tourism) India: Birding North Bengal & Sikkim (6 - 24 November 2003) Result The flow of foreign traffic to this region. Region is negligible...Read More[+]

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