Villagers shun hunting of exotic birds, now are their savioursThe exotic guests at Wadhwana reservoir were like just another bataks and chaklis, whose soft meat catered to mouth watering feasts for the villagers a few years ago. But now, the scenic beauty of Wadhwana, home to lakhs of migratory birds, weaves a different story altogether. Now, even a Class IX pass-out can spew out names of exotic birds such as Ruddy Shelducks, Northern Shovellers, Greylag Goose and Black Necked Grebe in a mere fleeting glance, much like an ornithologist. 'Please don't make noise, these Ruddy Shelducks, Northern Shovellers, Greylag Goose and Black Necked Grebe are too sensitive and if they fly away you will miss a golden chance,' one might take this as an instruction from an ornithologist leading a group of birdwatchers, but these are the words of Ramesh Tadvi, a Class IX pass-out.Tadvi is one of the youths from the three villages of Dabhoi taluka of Vadodara district who not only act as ornithologists for the tourists who throng this wetland, but actually work as the protectors of the migratory birds. The villagers of Simaliya, Kali Talavadi, Gopalpura, Amarpur, Manjrol and Wadhwana, the hamlets, which surround the reservoir, knew little about the importance of migratory birds. For them they were just different types of batak (ducks) and chakli (sparrow), and killing them was as normal as killing a domestic fowl for a feast."But now we have realised that they are our feathered friends from foreign countries who come here for love, affection and protection. A couple of years ago, forest officials explained to us the origin and importance of these birds and that is when we decided to protect them. With the help of the forest officials we can now identify the different species of birds which come to Wadhwana," said Ramesh Tadvi, a 'guide' at the wetland. Wadhwana forester C T Baria has now asked these self-trained ornithologists about the species of birds which visit the wetland.“I would not say that it is the success of the Forest Department, but the simple willingness of the villagers, which has reversed the scenario at Wadhwana,” said S K Jain, assistant conservator of forests, Vadodara who is working in close coordination with the three villages. “Today, at the wetland, which is not even declared a protected place by the Forest Department, there are countless entry and exit points. But I am not at all worried about poaching. In fact, the villagers have become experts and they are encouraging the birdwatchers and tourists who throng here during winters,” he added.While wetlands across Gujarat become home to thousands of migratory birds during winters, it also pushes the panic button among the forest officials to keep a check on the poaching activities. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Pradeep Khanna told Newsline: “There are more than 2,000 wetlands in the state and every winter, migratory birds become our major concern especially when it comes to poaching incidents. It is practically impossible for us to place guards at every wetland. Under such circumstances, if we get a helping hand from the local people, there is nothing like that. In fact we have been trying to promote this concept at other wetlands as well." Being open, it is very easy for the poachers to target the reservoir, but the security ring by the villagers has virtually put an end to this. “There are three watch towers around the reservoir and we religiously undertake night patrolling. Even if we doze off, the birds alert us of some movement around the reservoir with their typical tweeting. By now, we are able to differentiate the various calls,” says Raman Vasava who undertakes the patrol at Simaliya Tower.Abode of guestsWadhwana is an irrigation reservoir developed by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda state way back in 1909. It is now home to more than one lakh migratory birds during the winters. Interestingly, apart from the cash help of Rs 2,100 given by the Forest Department to these guides, it is the bakshish from the tourists, which has kept their interest level constant.Bird WatchersAccording to forest officials, between October 2007 and March 2008, as many as 53,020 tourists visited the site. Every year, more than one lakh migratory birds, including Garganey, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveller, Gadhwal, Ferrunginous Pochard, Tuffted Duck, Bar-headed goose, Eurasian Marsh Herrier arrive between November and mid-April at this water body, spread across a 10-km area.
