Birds to add wings to Hampi's famed ruins

Ballari: Hampi is not only the cradle of the Vijaynagar empire but also an ecological treasure with its rocky hills and scrub jungle providing the perfect setting for birds and  wildlife.

The winged beauties in particular will be studied and observed during the third edition of Karnataka Bird Festival, to be held in JSW Interpretation Centre, Daroji Bear Sanctuary, near Kamalapur here from January 5 to 7, 2017. The Karnataka forest department and Eco Tourism Board are organising the event.

The first two editions were organised at Ranganathittu bird sanctuary and Kali Tiger Reserve while the third edition was planned at Magadi lake in Gadag district. However, it was shifted to Hampi due to less water in Magadi lake and less migratory birds following the failure of monsoon in the region.

The varied landscape of Hampi — rocky boulders, small lakes, Tungabhadra reservoir, canals, dry scrub jungle — all provide the ideal habitat for birds. A large number of winter migratory birds such as flamingos and sandpipers come to Hampi every year. Even the Great Indian Bustard, a highly endangered species has been sighted in Ballari district.

Yellow Throated Bulbul

Mr Samad Kottur who had captured Hampi-bound birds in his book, Birds of Hampi, said it is the result of over a decade’s observation of birds and will give details of the birds with places they can sighted to help  bird watchers. Bombay Natural History Society and BirdLife International have selected Hampi as an Important Bird Area (IBA) as it has a significant population of the yellow-throated bulbul, a globally threatened species.

The Bird Festival aims to provide a platform for well-known naturalists, experts, forest officers, bird photographers to share their insights & thoughts. This festival focuses on putting bird conservation at center-stage. Some of the highlights are a bird photo exhibition, workshops on bird photography, guided bird-watching walks and lectures by naturalists.