ISikkim, Gangtok: Sikkim Tourism, in brand new flavor of ‘Eco tourism’ now offers abundant options for the tourists (both locals and non locals) such as mountain biking, paragliding, river rafting, skiing, home stays etc, along with older alternatives as sightseeing, trekking, tour and expedition. The recent add on to the list is bird watching tour. Gradually, bird tourism is setting its foot firmly in Sikkim. Bird walks are being organized every morning for those who are interested. Credit for popularizing bird watching goes to ‘Sikkim Birds’, a much talked group on social networking
site. This group has provided an immensely rich learning platform for its members as they carve up as well as gain knowledge about different species of birds. In order to promote bird tourism, Travel Agent Association of Sikkim (TAAS) and Sikkim Ornithological Society (SOS), along with State Tourism Department is organizing Bird Watching on February 26. Though, on February 19 they already had organized it for the first group of tourists. But the number of spectators appeared less than the expected number. During an interaction with Sikkim Mail the, Executive member of TAAS and also the in charge of ongoing Sikkim Snow & Culture Fest, Madan Gurung informed that in the previous lot only seven tourists and three locals participated. Second group is expected to have more tourists and locals. Further he informed that the birding tour covers an area of 10 km radius which starts from Raj Bhawan and further proceeds to Circuit House Area, then Bulbuley and ends at Selep Tank Area. Though the birding troop starts off from Gangtok at 6:30 early morning, the main bird watching starts at 12 noon since the birds come out of their nests for the evening sun, he added. He also mentioned that the organizers are trying to introduce birding in Dzongu; North Sikkim but e dates have not been fixed yet. They are also planning to set up Bird Clubs in various schools of the state so that the students can gain knowledge about the birds. Not only bird watching is an additional attraction to the state’s tourism, but it also provides an employment opportunity for the locals, Gurung said. Slowly the locals have started realizing that even through bird watching one can earn a decent income by being birding guides. “One does not need to take anything from nature to gain something; instead one can be well aware of the flora and fauna while birding and help conserve them”, he stated. Lastly he appealed public to be more aware about the flora and fauna of the state and to publicly participate in such kind of tours for the benefit of the both. Sikkim is considered to be a paradise for the avid bird lovers. It is an abode for almost 550 species of birds. Apart from East Sikkim, other districts offer great birding opportunities such as Barsey and Khecheopheri Lake in West Sikkim, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhaledhunga in South and Tholung valley in North District. Some important species of birds which can be found in the state are Maroon-Backed Accentor, Red-faced Liocichla, Black- necked and Black- tailed crane, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal Pheasant, Brown Parotbill, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Cutia, Sapphire flycatcher, White browned Bush Robin, Grandala, Rufous – breasted Accentors, White winged and collared Grosbeaks, Spot-winged Rosé finch, Satyr Tragopan, Kalij pheasant, rusty-bellied Shortwing, Minivet, Yuhina, flycatchers, Little Cormorant, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Eagle, Common Kestrel, Himalayan Monal, Kalij Pheasant, Spotted Dove, Grey Headed Parakeet, White Rumped Needletail, Himalayan Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, Lesser Yellownape, Black Drongo, Long tailed Shrike and many more. Though bird tours were organized earlier it was not frequent and popular among the tourists as well as the locals. Source: ISikkim
