A group of 20 youths, led by ornithologist AK Sahay, went on a walk at Jagjivan Nagar locality of Dhanbad on Tuesday morning, with an aim to study the habitat, behavior and food habits of a wide variety of birds.

Organised by coal town-based outfit Dhanbad Birders, the walk that began at 8 am from Bartand, was aimed at generating curiosity and sensitivity among the common masses about birds, as well as the environment and ecosystem in general.

“The event was planned in a bid to generate social sensitivity about issues like the environment, wildlife, ecosystem and food chain, which are of paramount importance, especially for the youth and children who are major stakeholders of the next generation,” President of Dhanbad Birders Amit Vishwakarma said.

Similar events would be organised regularly, he added.

Ornithologist AK Sahay, who organised the bird walk on Tuesday in Dhanbad. Picture by Gautam Dey

The participants also took photos of around 60 types of birds found in the Children’s park of Jagjivan Nagar, while answering various queries of passers by.

Talking about the event, Hemant Kumar Prasad (18) said, “The experience was really great. We spotted many birds including spotted dove, Alexandrine parakeet, rose-ringed parakeet, prinia and oriole.”

Prasad, who joined the community in September last year, added that the site at Jagjivan Nagar is home to 50 different species of birds and is among the top five bird hotspots in Dhanbad.

Jodeep Gorai, a class XII student said, “Although I am a late joinee, I can identify 50 species of birds now.” Gorai joined the group last November.