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Ladakh Hosts Its First Bird Festival For Preservation Of Fragile Ecosystem

The bird festival was organised by the department of wildlife protection in Ladakh in collaboration with the Secure Himalaya project

Ladakh Hosts Its First Bird Festival For Preservation Of Fragile Ecosystem
Ladakh houses nearly 350 species of birds identified by various experts from time-to-time
Highlights
  • We must work collectively in preserving the fragile ecosystem: Councillor
  • The diverse biodiversity of Ladakh must be promoted: Councillor
  • We have a responsibility to be the custodian of the land: Forest Official

Leh: The Union Territory of Ladakh has hosted its first-ever bird festival for ensuring preservation of the fragile ecosystem and promoting the diverse biodiversity of the region, officials said on Friday (October 29). Ladakh houses nearly 350 species of birds identified by various experts from time-to-time. The festival was organised on Thursday as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations by the department of wildlife protection in Ladakh in collaboration with the Secure Himalaya project, they said.

While addressing a gathering here, Chief Executive Councillor Tashi Gyalson, who was also the chief guest, extended his gratitude to the department of wildlife protection for conducting the festival. He stressed the need for encouraging avifauna as part of the Indian culture. Highlighting the importance of the festival, Councillor Gyalson stated that it should be a reminder for all of us to work collectively in preserving the fragile ecosystem and educate ourselves and promote the diverse biodiversity of Ladakh.

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Speaking on the occasion, principal secretary, forest, ecology and environment, Pawan Kotwal, in his inaugural address, said this event is a first-of-its-kind in Ladakh. He said Ladakh has a huge biodiversity, which falls on the pathway of migratory birds, and is a paradise for both birds and bird lovers. Mr Kotwal said just as humans have highways, birds have flyways.

We have a huge responsibility to be the custodian of the land, he added.’Live and let live’ should not only be applicable for humans but it should also include all animals and birds as well, he said. Further, Mr Kotwal said that according to some experts more than 350 species of birds have now been identified in Ladakh. He observed that one of the biggest strengths of Ladakh is that its people do not hunt.

Therefore, it has become a huge refuge for birds and animals alike. Kotwal also requested chief wildlife warden, department of wildlife protection, Ladakh, Preet Pal Singh, to document all the activities planned for the next three days for the festival. Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal congratulated and thanked the dignitaries, officials, and experts on behalf of the people of Ladakh for organising the bird festival.

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He said it was the moral responsibility of all Ladakhis to protect the birds in the region, and assured that he would contribute to this field as much as possible. As part of the festival, a photo exhibition was held on birds found in Ladakh. The animated storybook ‘Tashi the Explorer’ was also launched on the occasion. The inaugural session was followed by a panel discussion on emerging threats to avifauna in Ladakh, and the role of citizen science in bird monitoring and another discussion on birds in the culture and history of Ladakh was also held, the officials said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ populationindigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (WaterSanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity,  that is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollutionwaste managementplastic banmanual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.

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