In a bid to promote bird conservation, a group of 30 bird lovers under the banner of ‘Dhanbad Birders’ have been working relentlessly over the past three months to raise awareness among the masses.

The group, in order to achieve its goal, has been doing a range of activities, including installing 25 thought provoking exhibits, submitting reports to the concerned authorities about the presence of a wide range of birds and demanding bird conservation steps by declaring the sites as prohibited areas.

Founded by a retired banker A.K. Sahay on September 14, the club through an extensive survey across the town has identified six spots that are hotspots of bird-watching and has presence of at least 20 species.

The group, headed by a renowned radiologist of Dhanbad Dr. Amit Vishwakarma as its president, has also identified seven bird sites on the outskirts of the town.

The aim of the Dhanbad Birders is to raise awareness among the common people about the significance of wildlife and environmental conservation.

It has engaged in sustained information campaigns and has installed 25 exhibits containing messages from renowned experts like Carol Inskipp and Dr. Asad Rahmani at several places across the town.

Talking about the species of birds on Saturday, Sahay, a renowned author on Ornithology and a wildlife columnist, said, “For identifying the birds spot within the town and on its outskirts, we made thousands of field trips since September 14, the results of which were amazing as we were astonished sighting so many varieties.”

A.K Sahay stands in front of an exhibit that carries messages on bird conservation, in Dhanbad, on Saturday. Picture by Gautam Dey

The six bird spots identified within the town comprise -- Jagjivan Nagar, DS Colony (near Pampu Talab), Bartand (in the vicinity of CIMFR), Bekar Bandh, Bhelatand (near DPS Hirak Branch), and Bhelatand Village.

A click by A.K. Sahay Picture by A.K. Sahay

The seven sites in the outskirts include -- Dhokra near Domerpur (17 kms from Dhanbad), Govindpur (12 km from Dhanbad), Chhai Gadda near Kargali Ghat in Baliapur (20 kms from Dhanbad), Domgarh Boating Point (23 km from Dhanbad), Maheshpur in Katras (23 km from Dhanbad), Aamtal (6.2 km from Dhanbad), Foothills of Dhangi Pahar in PradhanKhanta (14 km from Dhanbad).

Dr. Vishwakarma detailed the major species that have been identified in these areas. Out of the 30 species identified at Jagjivan Nagar the major ones included Orioles, Green Bee-eater and Flameback. Among the 25 species in DS Colony, the prominent ones were Bronze winged Jacana and Sparrow. The major species identified among 24 species of Bartand included Red Naped Ibis and wood sandpiper while among the 23 species identified at Bekar Bandh the major species are Parakeet, Doves and Mynas.

A rare bird spotted in Dhanbad. Picture by A.K. Sahay

In Bhetaland, the prominent species were identified as Laughing Dove, Asian Openbill, Sun Bird and Prinia.

Among the six spots Bartand has special features as flocks of more than 200 mynas can be sighted here. Similarly the speciality of Bhelatand village and Jagjivan Nagar is the presence of Indian Silver Bill and Verditer species respectively.