Wildlife conservationists, ornithologists and government officials gathered in Siliguri last week to take part in a three-day workshop on the protection of hornbills, an avian species found in north Bengal, Sikkim and the Northeast.
The workshop was conducted by the Nature Conservation Foundation, Nature Mates-Nature Club, Zoo Outreach Organisation, the IUCN Conservation Planning Specialist Group and the Hornbill Specialist Group.
“The workshop was held to make recommendations and draw up an action plan for the conservation of hornbills in this region. At the workshop, the participants were apprised of the need to conserve the birds and told how they should work in their respective areas,” said Arjan Basu Roy, the secretary of Nature Mates- Nature Club.
He said five hornbill species — great, oriental pied, rufous-necked, wreathed and Indian grey — were found in north Bengal.
“Among the five, three species, (great, rufous-necked and wreathed hornbills) are globally threatened and have been marked as a vulnerable species on the red data list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). So, it is important that a comprehensive conservation plan is drawn up to protect these species,” Basu Roy added.
Altogether, 38 participants, including representatives of Bhutan, and the neighbouring states of Assam and Sikkim joined in the workshop held from February 21 to 23.
“We had officials of the Bengal forest department, scientists, researchers from 12 different NGOs, community members, nature guides and civil society members at the event. They underscored different aspects of hornbill conservation,” said a participant.
At the end of the workshop, a conservation plan for the hornbills was drafted.
“The outcome of the three-day discussion and exchange of ideas was the draft plan. It was mentioned that a survey of the hornbill population should be done, the key forest habitats of these birds should be protected and restored, and there should be adequate trees which provide food to the birds and also involve communities to generate awareness of the bird,” said a source.
An officer of the Sikkim forest department said: “The workshop played a major role in bringing together researchers and all other stakeholders on a single platform for a better future for the majestic hornbill.”