‘Pahadi Myna’, the state bird of Chhattisgarh
‘Myna Mitra’, a team of local communities’ youth to observe Pahadi Myna’s activities
Myna Conservation Project gets a boost
Children who once had slingshots in their hands are now watching birds with binoculars
Raipur, 29 April 2023
Every effort made by the team of ‘Myna Mitra’ of Kanger Valley National Park (KVNP) and the frontline staff of the Forest Department has resulted in an increased number of Pahadi Myna. Now their joyful chirping sound can be heard in the surrounding villages of KVNP. It is the natural habitat of Chhattisgarh’s state bird, ‘Pahadi Myna’. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr.Baghel and the guidance of Forest Minister Mr. Mohammad Akbar, the Forest Department has initiated a program to train the local community’s youth as ‘Myna Mitra’ for observing the activities of Pahadi Myna. They are playing an important role in the conservation of Pahadi Myna and their natural habitat and now their hard work is paying off.
The Director of Kanger Valley National Park Mr. Dhammasheel Ganveer stated that the ‘Myna Conservation Project’ operated under the CAMPA has proved to be ‘effective’ for the conservation of the Bastar Pahadi Myna. Under the project, a team of Myna Mitra has organized an awareness program in 30 schools adjacent to the KVNP. School children are being taken for bird sightings and other activities every Saturday and Sunday, which has shown some ‘positive changes’ in their behavior. The children who once had slingshots in their hands are now watching birds with binoculars.
It is noteworthy that Pahadi Myna normally chooses a dry or drying sal tree to nest in, where woodpeckers make nests. Bastar Forest Division has banned the cutting of dry Sal trees outside the Kanger Valley National Park for providing them a safe habitat. It has also been added to the list of bird sighting for tourist who stays in homestays located at Manjhipal, and Dhudmaras villages adjacent to the Kanger Valley National Park. Mr. Mansingh Baghel, director of Dhurwa Dera located at Dhudmaras, stated that he is very happy to see Pahadi Myna in his surroundings and they are protecting them through homestay tourism.
In the current nesting season, many Pahadi Mynas have been seen with new nests, in which they are feeding their nestlings with fruits and insects. All these activities are being monitored by the team of ‘Myna Mitra’ and field staff. Earlier, the number of birds seen in this area was low but now birds flock can be seen here. The contribution of the local communities and the consistent efforts of the park management have made this possible.
