World of Birds

Bhagat Singh is a living legend, a guru for many of us. He has been visiting, camping and birding in most of our protected areas and hills of Uttarakhand for more than fifty years; with his camera and mobile camping gear customised in a Maruti van. For the last couple of years he had been silently living and enjoying nature’s bounty in a remote village of Garhwal hills. His last book on birds of Uttaranchal was published in the year 2007 and his next book on photographic life cycle of birds will be published next years. I am one of the fortunate one who keep getting his blessings and guidance both in professional and personal life. Recently I got one of his speech delivered in India International Centre, New Delhi two years back; when his photo-exhibition was organised. I took his permission to put it on this blog to share with all of us who have common feelings for birds and wildlife.
Bhagat Singh: (India International Centre, New Delhi):
The ‘World of Birds’ is the most beautiful and colourful gift of nature to mankind. Their exuberant vitality enchants us, their mysterious lives tantalize us, and their bewitching melodies uplift our hearts and minds. Their brilliant colours, innumerable forms, streamlined shapes, gorgeous flights and playful acts, full of fun and frolic, bestowed upon these magnificent denizens of the sky a place of honour and pride among the comity of living on our planet. Since time immemorial, birds have had a close relationship with human population. The whistling tunes of Thrush, sonnets of Bulbul, mournful lament of Hoopoe, hooting of Owl, out-cry of Red Jungle Fowl, Chattering of Myna, drum-beats of Barbet, ascending notes of Koel, emotional outburst of Chatak, distressed cry of Chakor, maddening call-notes of Papiya, melodies of Shyama, piercing scream of Peacock, ornamental dance of Saras, fluting tunes of Robin, lyrics of Madhuka (Lora), rhythmic walk of Hans (Swan), and a great variety of fun-filled and joyous acts of a large multitude of birds have aroused emotions and passions in human hearts and influenced human folklore and literature.
It is true that by bird watching we cannot earn our livelihood but if we cultivate the hobby of bird watching it would certainly prolong our life; for it would stimulate our heart and mind to step-in into all pervading serene wilderness, where we can breathe fresh air; seek peace and tranquillity; break the dull and drab monotony of the present day city life; where we can relax our nerves in the natural setting, free from tension and pollution; and soothe our depressed feelings in an environment, that throbs with the fragrance of wild flowers; with the melodious songs of a great variety of birds; with the playful acts of a large number of animals; with the exhilarating dances of lofty trees; with the glimmer of trickling water springs; and the enchanting tunes played by the orchestra of numerous waterfalls descending down the forested hills.
Furthermore, birds play a significant role in the conservation of nature. Nature-where tranquillity reigns; where mind illuminates; where soul enlightens; where heart throbs; where splendour glows; and where scenic grandeur animates transcendental bliss. Nature-which is all soothing and sublime.
People, nowadays, are becoming more and more conscious that they cannot live a healthy life, independent of their natural environment. Birds, in this context, perform an invaluable function. They warn us, by their health and well-being, of the dangers that threatens us in the environment. Several species of birds have become extinct or miserably dwindled in numbers, as a result of pesticide residues in the environment. This warns us that we too are absorbing all kinds of chemicals into our own bodies, which have unpredictable side effects, fraught with dire consequences to our healthy growth. This warns us that this is high time that we must take effective and concrete action to stop all toxic substances getting into the environment. If we are able to put a halt to this terrible decline, we will have the satisfaction that we are helping ourselves as well as these magnificent winged creatures.
India has abundant share of the natural splendour or the earth; and more that its share of bird wealth, both in terms of diversity and population. Hills covered with lush green vegetation; vast expanses of grasslands, dotted with clusters of trees and shrubby bushes; and wide open glades with luxuriant growth of green foliage provide eternal home to multitudes of birds. The wide spectrum of bio-geographic diversity of this region is fully reflected in its spectacularly rich birdlife.
Most species are resident, and stay here round the year, subject to, of course, seasonal movement; while few species, which winter in South India, migrate to Himalayas to spend their summer months. On the other hand, some strong flying birds, such as Wood cock, Indian Blue Chat, and Pied Ground Thrush which are resident of the Himalayas, take long journeys to find analogous habitats in the Nilgiri Hills in South India to spend their winter months in warmer regions, and return to their original areas in the Himalayas in Summer, where they breed and raise their young.
Unrivalled in scenic grandeur and natural splendour, India has drawn worldwide attention for being the heavenly abode of most of the beautiful and colourful birds, such as, Barbets, Minivets, Tits, Finches, Parakeets, Woodpeckers etc.
Most of the water reservoirs, rivers and lakes, spread over the entire Indian Union, provide shelter to many species of birds, which migrate from distant places in Central Asia Europe and China, to the Indian Sub-continent in winter.
Since India has a tremendous altitudinal variation, the climate of this country greatly varies from tropical heat to arctic cold of the snowy mountains. Because of this drastic change in climatic conditions, there is a different type of plant life in different parts of this country. The birdlife primarily depends on the type of vegetation that exists in different climatic zones, which can be broadly divided into (1) Tropical and Sub Tropical (2) Temperate, and (3) Alpine.
Whenever the sun shines warmly, the old male birds tune their pipe and enliven the neighbourhood with their songs. The young also begin to sing. With the advent of the spring, the blossoms peep forth in every part of the budding woods and hundreds of plants banis the dismal appearance of winter. The nature clothed in spring provides happiness and abundance to all creatures. Then the songbirds perched on the tops of detached trees, give vent to their passion. Their songs never fail to enchant the listeners.
During the love-season, some songbirds pour out their feelings with heightened passion. Like proud musicians, they swell their throat, spread their tail, droop their wings and lean alternately to the right and left. The fluting tunes of some songbirds are among the most exhilarating sounds of nature. Many small birds, like Warblers, sing in gentle, continuous trilling manner. It appears as if they speak in verse or give expression to their passions in song.
Conservation of birds is a matter of great concern. Each one of us owns the responsibility to conserve and protect the miracles of birdlife that thrives on our planet. We can do this by knowing as much about these winged creatures as we can.
All of us need to associate ourselves with the future of birdlife, and the unspoilt beauty of the magnificent land of our county. We need to appreciate the beauty and the variety of birds, and cooperate honestly in the endeavour to protect these wonderful winged creatures of our land. Concerted efforts are needed to arouse the interest of the people at large in the subject of birds and bird watching.
Bird Photography:
Bird photography is a challenging task. Even if one is whole time devoted with the most ardent will and determinations, it is not possible in one’s live time to take clear and sharp pictures of all the species of birds that are found the year round even in small area of about 300 Sq Km. Some of the reasons are:
(i) Birds are extremely shy of human being. The moment one attempts to approach them, how so much cautious, quite and careful one may be in his movement; the birds instantly take to wings. The birds have been blessed with keen eye-sight and with an acute sense of hearing.
(ii) Many of the birds are quite small in size, and generally remain hidden in bushes and leafy trees. Even when sighted, they remain partly screened amongst leaves twigs and branches.
(iii) Birds, in general, do not remain still at a place. For want of food and for fear of danger, they move swiftly from twig to twig, from branch to branch, and from tree to tree, up and down. Thus, they hardly provide any time to the photographer to click his camera.
(iv) Bird-photography primarily depends on day light conditions, particularly when one attempts to photograph birds in their natural habitats. Apart from the weather conditions that remain uncertain for most part of the year, the drifting shadows, with the movement of the sun in the sky, seriously disturb the light conditions, reducing considerably the chances of clear and sharp pictures.
(v) In jungle with dense undergrowth, particularly in hilly areas, the movement of the photographer is not only grossly restricted, but is also fraught with dire consequences for his life. I, myself is a witness to an incident in which a photographer from England, who was a keen bird watcher with years of experience at his credit, lost his life at the hands of a tiger in the Corbett National Park, while he was attempting to photograph a horned forest owl perched on a giant leafy tree. The unfortunate victim had glued his eyes on to the owl, unmindful of the stripped beast lurking for him in the nearby bushes.
(vi) Most of the birds migrate to distant lands for breeding, nesting and in search of food. Their power of flight enables them to overcome barriers that restrict the barrier that restrict the movement of the photographer. Even among the resident birds, considerable altitudinal movement takes place to escape the rigors of the seasons, particularly the winter. Migration is periodically alternative swing between two areas that promote optimum living conditions such as food, water etc. At respective seasons. Some of the birds, who are endowed with strong and sustained flights, migrate to long distances to escape extreme climatic conditions. It is not easy to locate them for months together, particularly in inhospitable hilly terrains.
(vii) Lack of minimum civic facilities such as accommodation, food, water and security etc. In remote and inaccessible areas in Indian Jungles, particularly in the interior regions of the Himalayas severely hamper the work of bird-photographers. Even if one gathers enough courage and summons boldness to face hazards he would not be at all certain about the final outcome.
To conclude, I must put on record that birds are the most beautiful and colourful ornaments of our forests. They adorn our homes, beautify our gardens, and entertain us with their sweet melodies and gorgeous flights. They deserve our love, affection and kindness.
Thanks.

Photo: Bhagat ji in Katerniaghat, Winters 2009.