What Karnataka needs next: A festival of birds

Hubballi: The state government has been doling out crores of rupees for various festivals but the tourism department is yet to launch a Bird Festival in Karnataka- a trend catching up in other states.

Environmentalists and bird lovers have emphasized the need to start such festivals to create awareness and protect endangered migratory birds. Bird festivals started by other states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh to promote eco-tourism have received an overwhelming response.

Migratory flamingos for instance are found in reservoirs such as the backwaters of Tungabhadra and Almatti dams. They spend time in these reservoirs on their way back after breeding in Gujarat during summer. These areas have turned home to more than a hundred species of birds. Bird lovers and ornithologists arrive from across the country and spend hours capturing their movements with cameras. Environmentalists feel there is a need to monitor these areas and have demanded a bird festival every year which can succeed through public participation.