Greater flamingos flying over Menar Pond and migrants taking part in in water
Photo Credit: Dr. Kamlesh Sharma
As quickly because the identify of Rajasthan comes, the picture of an space full of desert emerges in everybody’s thoughts, however only a few folks know that the southern area of Rajasthan, Mewar-Vagad, is significantly blessed by nature. In this area, nature has gifted the world’s oldest Aravalli valleys, scattered hills, flowing rivers, lakes full of 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 nearly each village of Mewar area. In most of those ponds, birds discover shelter all year long. These reservoirs have been offering shelter to this stunning reward of nature. Among the tons of of reservoirs within the space, there are 4 reservoirs that are fully 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 hundreds of birds throughout the winter season and numerous fowl lovers and environmentalists come to observe 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 shall be a novel 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 crammed 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 also be value mentioning right here that in view of the curiosity of birds, agriculture is just not 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 way of tankers to avoid wasting the fish and birds. Recently, pasture growth work has additionally been executed by fowl associates on these reservoirs.
flamingo taking part in water
Photo Credit: Dr. Kamlesh Sharma
Home to greater than 150 species of birds
According to fowl consultants, hundreds 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, pink 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, numerous fowl lovers and vacationers and consultants from India and overseas come right here and revel in seeing the colourful world of birds within the morning and night.
Giant fowl pelican and pintail within the menagerie
Photo Credit: Dr. Kamlesh Sharma
The Himalayan fowl that’s right here to remain
A fowl can also 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 stunning fowl is the Great Crested Grebe.
Years in the past, this fowl 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 fowl has made this pond its everlasting residence. 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 fowl with a crest on its head used emigrate right here from chilly areas like Himalayas, Central Asia and close by areas of Europe to spend the winter.
The Great Crested Grebe fowl, which performs a horny 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 fowl by nature hunts by diving into the water and feeds the younger. Is additionally. Its most important 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 setting and wildlife, can also be a wildlife photographer. All the pictures used on this article are his personal images.
