Bird-watchers’ meet: Karad to play host

PUNE, DEC 25: The nation's first birds' hospital is slated to come up at the market-town of Karad, in neighbouring Satara district, which...

PUNE, DEC 25: The nation’s first birds’ hospital is slated to come up at the market-town of Karad, in neighbouring Satara district, which is hosting the first two-day All India Birds-watchers’ Convention, commencing on Friday.

The first ever hospital exclusively for winged and feathered creatures would be the tangible outcome of the meet. The convention is stated to be the first national effort to bring together ornithologists and bird-watchers in and outside Maharashtra, to share their experiences. About 40 delegates from states other than Maharashtra are expected to attend the meet, besides about700 delegates from this State.

Karad city, decked up for the all India event, witnessed a vruksha dindi, in which a large number of school students participated, on the eve of the meet. The dindi, culminating at Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial, was followed by Karad Gymkhana president Anil Divekar hoisting the flag of the Maharashtra Pakshimitra Sanghatana, which is the co-organiser of the meet, at theMemorial. The dindi also marked the completion of a pre-convention school level plantation drive by the organisers.

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The meet, 18th State level and first ever National level, will be discussing various aspects of health, diagnosis and medication for birds. Experts, including Dr Satyasheel Naik, will be giving presentations on the topic.Noted ornithologist Dr Milind Watwe will also be present at the convention.

Need to re-discover the changing faces of nation’s floral and faunal map has been another major issue on the agenda of the convention.

Publication of a checklist of birds in Satara district will be another achievement for the meet. About 180 migratory bird species are recorded in different parts of Satara district, which boasts of having the enchanting forest of Koyna, besides a few bird-rich water-bodies like the backwaters of Veer dam and Mayni lake. Over 300 other bird species are also listed in the district.

The Maharashtra Pakshimitra Sanghatana executive will also meet to elect itsnew office-bearers, besides discussing major issues pertaining to the State bird life.

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Among the other sessions is a symposium on Pakshi Maitri-Dasha Va Disha — state of bird-watching and a few guidelines.

Students from 34 renowned art colleges across Maharashtra have contributed to an exhibition of schismatic paintings on ornithology and birds. The best three schismatic paintings will be awarded cash prizes. Photographs of different kinds of birds by Dr Satish Pande, will also be on display at the convention art gallery.

Students from about 300 schools across the Satara district, are participating in various competitions organised as the part of the meet.

For Kolkata, the IMD has forecast mostly cloudy skies with light to moderate rain or thundershowers on most days through Panchami.

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