Thiruvananthapuram: Bird-watchers from the city and other places as far as Coimbatore gathered at the Museum grounds here on Saturday to exchange their findings and concerns at the two-day Bird-Watchers Forum, organised jointly by the Directorate of Museum and Zoos and the Forestry Training Centre at Arippa.
The Forum was organised along with the inauguration of the restored lake on the premises of the zoo. K. Udayavarman, Director, Zoo and Museum, said: “The lake is an inseparable component of the city's bird-watching community; hence we decided to conduct the programmes together.”
The group consisted of ornithologists, bird enthusiasts, and newcomers; the majority of them had taken part in the WWF India – Kerala Bird Race on the zoo premises.
One of the main topics of discussion was on birds being a harbinger of the changing characteristics of Nature and human-induced changes in the ecosystem. The forum decided to form a State-wide knowledge-sharing base thus providing a platform for the professionals to publish their work and for amateurs to collect information and clear their doubts.
S. Abu, Superintendent, Natural History Museum, and C. Sushant, ornithologist, were present.
The group later left for the Arippa Forest for trekking, bird-watching and plenary sessions. The forum was organised as part of a project taken up by the Directorate of Museum and Zoo to foster knowledge of biodiversity in the younger generation as part of the International Year of Biodiversity–2010 celebrations.
Earlier, Minister for Culture M.A. Baby inaugurated the Bird Watchers' Forum and the restored lake.
The year-long restoration project was executed by the Centre for Science and Technology for Rural Development (Costford). “By desilting the lake, its holding capacity has increased by almost 1 crore litres,” said Costford architect Shahi Hussain.
To ensure the quality of water, the rainwater is directed to the lake through two stages. It is first collected in a water tank from where it flows to the small lake which acts as a natural filter. The banks of the lake have been strengthened by planting bamboos and grass to prevent soil erosion.
As many as 10,000 fishes — varieties include Grasscrap, Rohu, Mrigal and Catla — have been deposited in the lake to contribute to the natural cleaning process and to attract birds. Two observation decks have been constructed for sightseers. Rain shelters and seats to accommodate 1,000 people are other facilities. Future projects for the zoo include the construction of a fountain and an aviary around the small lake.
Source: The Hindu, 28-11-2010
The Forum was organised along with the inauguration of the restored lake on the premises of the zoo. K. Udayavarman, Director, Zoo and Museum, said: “The lake is an inseparable component of the city's bird-watching community; hence we decided to conduct the programmes together.”
The group consisted of ornithologists, bird enthusiasts, and newcomers; the majority of them had taken part in the WWF India – Kerala Bird Race on the zoo premises.
One of the main topics of discussion was on birds being a harbinger of the changing characteristics of Nature and human-induced changes in the ecosystem. The forum decided to form a State-wide knowledge-sharing base thus providing a platform for the professionals to publish their work and for amateurs to collect information and clear their doubts.
S. Abu, Superintendent, Natural History Museum, and C. Sushant, ornithologist, were present.
The group later left for the Arippa Forest for trekking, bird-watching and plenary sessions. The forum was organised as part of a project taken up by the Directorate of Museum and Zoo to foster knowledge of biodiversity in the younger generation as part of the International Year of Biodiversity–2010 celebrations.
Earlier, Minister for Culture M.A. Baby inaugurated the Bird Watchers' Forum and the restored lake.
The year-long restoration project was executed by the Centre for Science and Technology for Rural Development (Costford). “By desilting the lake, its holding capacity has increased by almost 1 crore litres,” said Costford architect Shahi Hussain.
To ensure the quality of water, the rainwater is directed to the lake through two stages. It is first collected in a water tank from where it flows to the small lake which acts as a natural filter. The banks of the lake have been strengthened by planting bamboos and grass to prevent soil erosion.
As many as 10,000 fishes — varieties include Grasscrap, Rohu, Mrigal and Catla — have been deposited in the lake to contribute to the natural cleaning process and to attract birds. Two observation decks have been constructed for sightseers. Rain shelters and seats to accommodate 1,000 people are other facilities. Future projects for the zoo include the construction of a fountain and an aviary around the small lake.
Source: The Hindu, 28-11-2010
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