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THE rich ecology of the Hadoti region in Rajasthan with the grassland, riverine, dry deciduous forests and wetland is a haven for birds and other wild animals. Numerous colorful birds throng the wetlands of Bundi, Kota, Baran and Jhalawar and Sawai Madhopur especially in the winter season.
The zone is quite rich in natural and manmade wetlands due to the presence of the many river systems like Chambal, Parbati, Kali Sindh, Ghora Pachaar etc and their tributaries. Mahudia, Harish Chandra Sagar, Khandia, Pondala, Guradia, Gomati Sagar, Hathaikheda, Batwada, Gurjani, Kali Talai etc (Jhalawar); Sorson, Manpura, Bilas, Ramgarh, Narsinghpura, Ram Talai, Jirodh, Sahrodh, Taka Talai (Baran); Bardha dam, Rattan Sagar-Talwas, Ram Sagar-Hindoli, Paibalapura, Neenwa, Jaitsagar, Rooneja, Gotda, Abhaypura etc in Bundi; Alnia dam, Lakhawa, Ranpur, Ummedganj, Abheda, Godlyahedi, Rajpura, Aanwa, Laturi, Right Main Canal and Marshes of river Chambal etc in Kota are the prominent places where these birds camp. Umaid Bagh on the remote end of Jait Sagar lake is also visited by many colourful birds and is a special attraction for the visiting tourists. "The Indian saras crane (grus antigone antigone) breeds twice in a year in Hadoti compared to once in other places. This year the arrivals have been quite good." said ornithologist and wildlife enthusiast Abdul Hanif. According to wildlife enthusiast Vitthal Sanadhya from Bundi, "There is good news for bird-watchers of the Hadoti region this year. The chirping and music of the flying visitors is in full bloom." "The migratory and resident birds can be seen near the water belts at many places here," says avid bird watcher and forest officer Pratap Singh Chundawat. Similarly hotelier Rajendra Singh Dugari, who has a bird watching tower at "Umaid Bagh" in Bundi on the edge of the Jait Sagar, sighted the presence of many birds like the coot (which comes from China, Tibet and Ladakh) which had come in a flock attracting the attention of visiting tourists in the season. The painted stork, grey-headed canary fly-catcher, painted stork have also visited the lake. Wildlife scholar Gobind Sagar feels, "With less rainfall, this year the shift has been towards big reservoirs like Bardha, Guda dam etc". Many small ponds like Kanak Sagar, Gothra, Roneja, Dugari have shown a low presence of birds. Currently Bardha in Bundi has become a real haven for birds". Wildlife experts from Kota, however, feel that "by this time birds like shoveller, bar-headed geese, gadwell, Chinese coot, pimtail, waders, tufted poacherds, red-crested poachers have already reached Hadoti. Illegal trade in
wildlife and uncontrolled fishing and inaction on part of the
departments is still a matter of concern. Every year, delightful
visitors come to these wetlands to make Hadoti their second home. Many
of them return to their native destinations later in March with their
flock and feathers.
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The
colorful songsters make their presence felt with their chorus,
sporting actions and attract people.