Greater flamingos flying over Menar Pond and migrants enjoying in water
Photo Credit: Dr. Kamlesh Sharma
As quickly because the title of Rajasthan comes, the picture of an space crammed with desert emerges in everybody’s thoughts, however only a few individuals know that the southern area of Rajasthan, Mewar-Vagad, is drastically blessed by nature. In this area, nature has gifted the world’s oldest Aravalli valleys, scattered hills, flowing rivers, lakes crammed with water, waterfalls that play the music of nature throughout monsoon, pollution-free small ponds and dense forests. Here animals and birds have additionally discovered shelter freely.
At least one pond is present in virtually each village of Mewar area. In most of those ponds, birds discover shelter all year long. These reservoirs have been offering shelter to this lovely present of nature. Among the lots of of reservoirs within the space, there are 4 reservoirs that are utterly devoted and guarded by the villagers to the birds and that’s the reason these reservoirs stay the favourite shelter of those birds all year long.
Purple Heron in flight
Photo Credit: Dr. Kamlesh Sharma
All 4 ponds are heaven for birds
As a paradise for birds, Brahma and Dhand ponds of Menar village, positioned at a distance of 45 kilometers from Udaipur, Badwai at a distance of 85 kilometers and the ponds of Kishan Kareri village, at a distance of 90 kilometers, stay exemplary fashions. These reservoirs are buzzing with 1000’s of birds through the winter season and a lot of chicken lovers and environmentalists come to look at the water sports activities of birds.
These 4 ponds are protected for birds by Rural Bird Friends. Due to conservation by the villagers, this space seems wealthy in biodiversity.
Pelicans flying over Menar Pond
Photo Credit: Dr. Kamlesh Sharma
This will likely be a singular instance of the nation and state that seeing the variety of birds, the agricultural farmers neither take water from these two ponds for irrigation nor permit anybody else to take it for his or her use. Along with this, the villagers additionally use the fishes. Neither the villagers catch fish on this stuffed pond nor are they given any contract for it.
Apart from this, there’s a ban on giving contract by the villagers for the cultivation of water chestnut or lotus on this pond. It can be price mentioning right here that in view of the curiosity of birds, agriculture shouldn’t be carried out within the pond space even after the water within the ponds has receded. Not solely this, when the water of this pond begins drying up in summer time, the villagers fill the pond with water by tankers to save lots of the fish and birds. Recently, pasture growth work has additionally been executed by chicken buddies on these reservoirs.
flamingo enjoying in water
Photo Credit: Dr. Kamlesh Sharma
Home to greater than 150 species of birds
According to chicken specialists, 1000’s of native and migratory birds of greater than 150 species are current in these reservoirs in winter.
These birds embrace rosy pelican, Dalmatian pelican, bar-headed goose, grey-legged goose, nice crested grebe, marsh harrier, widespread crane, ruffed grouse, godwit, shoveler, pintail, Eurasian wigeon, widespread pochard, tufted pochard, crimson Crested Pochard, Gedwall, Flamingo, Common Teal, Wagtail, Green Shank, Red Shank, Ring Plover, Protonikol, Little Stint, Whiskered Tern and many others. are the visiting birds.
During this time, a lot of chicken lovers and vacationers and specialists from India and overseas come right here and revel in seeing the colourful world of birds within the morning and night.
Giant chicken pelican and pintail within the menagerie
Photo Credit: Dr. Kamlesh Sharma
The Himalayan chicken that’s right here to remain
A chicken can be discovered within the Bird Village Menar which as soon as got here from the Himalayas, however when it favored the local weather right here, it now stays right here. This small lovely chicken is the Great Crested Grebe.
Years in the past, this chicken used to return to the foothills of the Himalayas for winter migration when the temperature was extraordinarily low and would return to its homeland after spending 4 months, however now this chicken has made this pond its everlasting dwelling. He has additionally elevated his lineage in the previous few years.
Great Crested Grebes feeding chicks within the manor
Photo Credit: Dr. Kamlesh Sharma
This small-sized aquatic chicken with a crest on its head used emigrate right here from chilly areas just like the Himalayas, Central Asia, and close by areas of Europe to spend the winter.
The Great Crested Grebe chicken, which performs a lovely dance whereas working on the water, makes its nest within the vegetation rising within the marshy space close to the water’s edge. The female and male collectively make the nest. The shy chicken by nature hunts by diving into the water and feeds the younger. Is additionally. Its primary meals is fish, frogs, tadpoles and different small aquatic creatures.
Disclaimer: The views expressed on this article are the non-public views of the writer.
Author Introduction – Dr. Kamlesh Sharma is Joint Director within the Information and Public Relations Department of Rajasthan Government, Udaipur. Dr. Sharma, who has particular curiosity in atmosphere and wildlife, can be a wildlife photographer. All the pictures used on this article are his personal pictures.
