Dear readers,
The advantage of being in company of gifted scholars is that even routine discussions invariably impart stimulating knowledge and awareness to the participants. One such knowledgeable colleague of mine is Dr. Anil K. Changani, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Science, MGS University, Bikaner. I always fish for excuses to slip away from the first floor of our academic block( that houses the Department of History) to visit the Environmental Science faculty stationed below. In order to err on the side of caution(lest somebody complains to my HOD), let me inform you that my area of research interest lies in the interface between ecology and history.
Over the discussion that ensued, Dac-saab told me that penetration of the Indira Gandhi Canal into the Thar desert has had a transforming impact on desert ecology. He mentioned that over the past one year, he noticed a few species of birds which are not native to the desert, yet are found now in the patches of green alongside the gigantic man-made river. The important among them are Indian Grey Hornbill, Fan-Tail Flycatcher and the Roufus Treepie. The wiki says that of these, the first is found to be distributed in the foothills of Himalayas and along the Indus and Gangetic river systems. Thus, it seems interesting to find these birds along the course of the canal. I myself had spotted a colorful Kingfisher on the banks of one of the distributaries of the main channel while I was on an inspection to Gharsana.
Further, he mentioned another startling observation. On an inspection tour to Suratgarh in this March, he saw a lake located just outside the town which was playing host to a few very important species of migratory birds. These were the Spot-billed Pelicans and the Painted Storks, both of which are famous visitors at the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur. The Forest Department of the Government of Rajasthan should take note of these developments and adequate measures should be taken for their conservation.
As for me, I am now left with no excuses to sulk the drudgery of life at Bikaner. This sleepy town also has an immense scope for bird-watching in its environs!
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