The recent visit of former Team India cricketer Anil Kumble, also an avid birdwatcher and a keen wildlife photographer, to Darjeeling hills has given the forest department the impetus to resume the annual bird festival at the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary.

“We are planning to host the bird festival in Mahananda by early next year. Plans are being drawn up after the recent visit of former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble. We are sending a proposal for revival of the proposed festival to the chief wildlife warden of the state forest department for the final approval,” Rajendra Jakhar, the chief conservator of forest (WL-North), said on Monday.

A week ago, Kumble visited Senchal and Mahananda and expressed his joy at his visit.

“I am fortunate to visit the place. While we admire beauty, it is also our duty to conserve the habitat here because these habitats are unique in this world...,” Kumble said, adding that there were some wonderful species of birds and animals only in these areas.

“One can also see migratory birds, especially in the winter. The forest officers have done a great job of maintaining the ecosystem here,” the former ace cricketer said.

The forest department last held a four-day bird festival at the Mahananda sanctuary in February 2021.

“The ideal time to host such an event is late in winter or before the start of summer in between mid-February and April. We are eying to host the event again next year at that time,” the forest official said.

A source in the forest department said that back in 1997, a survey was conducted in the sanctuary on the presence of bird species. During the survey, 292 existing species were found. Later, during the first bird festival in 2021, it was found that 90 more species had been found.

“These new species were sighted by bird watchers, ornithologists, local guides and foresters during the fest. Among those newly found avian populace were the Striated Yuhina, the White-bellied Drongo, the Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush and Blyth’s Leaf Warbler,” the source in the forest department said.

Kumble during his visit to the region had spotted the bee-eater, green pigeon and hill mynahs.

“He also saw golden jackals in the forest,” said Sanjok Dewan, the guide instructor of Mahananda Eco-tourism and Conservation Society (METACOS), who accompanied Kumble to the forests in the foothills.

Nature lovers have welcomed the bird festival plans.

“There are over 1,300 species of birds across the country. Out of these, Mahananda has a significant number of them. Keeping this in view, such an initiative from the forest department will not only help in conserving birds, but also promote birdwatching tourism in the region,” said Animesh Bose, the programme coordinator of the Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation (HNAAF).