ATREE-Siang and West Siang District Administration organised the first Aalo Bird Walk titled “Feathers and Footsteps”

Aalo the 3^rd March 2024: The inaugural edition of the Aalo Bird Walk titled “Feathers and Footsteps,” was organised by the West Siang District Administration and the Siang team of Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE-Siang), in collaboration with the Forest and Tourism Department on 2^nd and 3^rd March 2024.

The event packed an array of engaging activities, including educational talks on bird identification, the significance of bird conservation, and a fun quiz, in which 20 students from Aalo SFS College participated and performed very well.

During the walk which took place on the evening of 2^nd and morning of 3^rd March during which a total of 57 species were seen and observed by around 45 people who participated during the walk and the orientation session.

“It was very exciting to have such an enthusiastic response to the 1^st Aalo bird walk, particularly from the local youths” said Ms. Mamu Hage, the District Commissioner of West Siang herself being an avid birder. “We want to continue this effort in the future too” she added.

“The bird walks, despite cold, cloudy and misty weather, was a huge success and the biggest highlight was the sighting of at least 1000 Common Cranes in flight, probably on their way back to the breeding grounds” noted Dr. Rajkamal Goswami, who leads the ATREE-Siang team based at Pasighat. “This is the first record of this species from West Siang and probably the second record from the entire Siang Valley; and confirms the importance of Siang Valley being an important riverine corridor for major migratory birds & since we also saw about 2000 bar-headed geese only in about one hour of bird walk, which is also a very significant record for Siang Valley” he emphasized.

About District Administration West Siang District:

West Siang District Administration is committed to promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation in the region. Through various initiatives and partnerships, the administration works tirelessly to improve the quality of life for residents while preserving the natural heritage of West Siang District.

DIPRO