GBWC 2010 (Global Bird Watchers Conference) ends - Jamnagar

GBWC 2010 (Global Bird Watchers Conference) end

Three day long Global Bird Watchers Conference ended on Friday with Narara hiking and Pirotan excursion, foreigners were excited to see diversified flora and fauna of the Gujarat state and especially of Jamnagar. Bird watchers from far west and Europe were thrilled to see that excellent marine biology exists just beside a well maintained aquatic bird reserve Khijadia.

Khijadia was main attraction of the conference, around 400 visitors spotted more then 180 species of birds in Khijadia, many writers and bloggers commented appreciation for this wonderful place.

Conference also displayed many research papers and documents from many bird experts.

CM Narendra Modi, Tourism Minister Jai Narayan Vyas and Jam Sahib Shri ShatruShalyaji promised to declare early winter period a Bird Watching season from next year onwards to boost eco tourism.

Global Bird Watcher's Conference 2010 - Started Jamnagar

Global Bird Watcher's Conference - Started

Tourism Minister Jay Narayan Vyas inaugurated the Global Bird Watcher's Conference here in Jamnagar yesterday.

Global Bird Wacther's Conference - 2010 was inaugurated at Town hall and many district dignities were present during the inauguration. This includes Jam Sahib Jam Shatru Shalya Sinh ji who is an avid nature lover and a major figure in protecting and nourishing Khijadia as a National Bird Sanctury.

This conference will be held each year; this conference is already a roaring success with around 100 delegates participating outside India. Jamnagar is host to some 400 delegates worldwide for the bird watching conference; major foreign participation is from places like China, Russia, Philippines, UK and Western Russia. The list also includes big names in bird watching like Ben King who owns a bird watching tour company.

Bird watchers meet at Jamnagar's Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary Read more: Global bird watchers meet at Jamnagar's Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary

Ornithologists, bird watchers and travel writers from over 25 countries are likely to take part in the three-day Global Bird Watchers' Conference, 2010, being organised by Gujarat government at Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary in Jamnagar district from November 25.

"Khijadiya is the biggest bird sanctuary in Gujarat. At least 257 types of migratory birds visit the 600 acre bird sanctuary in Jamnagar," Jamnagar Marine National Park.

Bird Watchers Conference-2010

Bird Watchers Conference-2010 to be held at Khijadiya Dist: Jamnagar including venue designing at Khijadiya & Jamnagar

Bird watchers' global meet - Khijadia

The three-day 'Global Bird Watcher's Conference' will be held in Khijadia from November 25. About 100 participants from abroad and different parts of the state are expected to attend the conference.

Officials in the tourism department said that the conference was being planned in order to put Khijadia on the global map to make it a tourist attraction. Also, the conference will be held during that time of the year when migratory birds are found in large numbers.

Khijadia is the only place where fresh water and sea water is found. It also witnesses about 250 different species of bird flocking here every year.

While tourism department officials said Khijadia falls on way to Dwarka and is just 15 km away from Jamnagar and so this route which is in bad shape will be repaired soon.

Khijadia Bird Sanctury Jamnagar

You need not be an University Graduate to save the planet, every little thinking helps the planet to survive.
Banking on Eco Tourism villagers around Khijadiya Bird Sanctury vowed to protect the environment and the area nearby, and Forest department is helping them to do so.

Khijadiya is known for its best wetland reservoir and heaven for migratory birds coming from Arabian sea, in Winter and early summer thousands of birds flock to this place, this is the fist resting place / wetland for birds coming from Arabian sea / Africa. This wetland with a marine national park nearby makes it best sight seeing place in Gujarat for Eco tourists.

Villagers near the Khijadia used to cut wild babool for their daily fuel needs, now solar cooker provided from the Gujarat State Forest Department is giving new life to Khijadia villagers and also to birds,

A World Bank-funded Eco-development project helps 10 villages in Jamnagar to provide solar cookers, bio gas and other vocational courses on automobiles, sewing etc. each village will receive sum of 8 lakh. village selected in first phase of the implementation are Khijadia, Jodia, Okunala, Balachai, Sachana, Khara Biraja, Parodia, Simani, Samna and Poshitra. Phase 2 will implement similiar project in Navlakhi (Kutch) and Okha (Jamnagar), after phase 2 total 97 villages will be covered under the scheme.

jamnagar kite flying prohibited during early morning, sunset danger to birds

JAMNAGAR The city is known to be birds paradise, especially in the winter. However, in winter also comes the festival of Uttarayan, which brings along with it, the danger of razor-sharp manjas which pose a danger to these birds.

Jamnagar has become the first city to implement it. There are more than 327 species of birds found in and around Jamnagar, which includes both domestic and migratory birds. There are endangered species also which regularly visit Jamnagar. Furthermore, the city lake, situated in the middle of the city, becomes home to around 98 species of winged visitors during winter. The entire area turns into a bird watcher's paradise.

A bird lover who never misses to take a round of the lake. Another lover and expert on birds Jaypalsingh Jadeja said, "There are 98 species of birds one can spot at Lakhota lake. Wigeons, Mallard, Pin Tail, Gargani, Common Teal, Tefted Pochard, Common Pochard, Gadwa and many other migratory ducks, shovellers which fly in from Europe."

Tartear which is common for us but a rare bird to watch, Black-Necked Stark which is endangered species list and the bird like Great Crested Greebe, which is found round the year are also seen in Khijadiya bird sanctuary on the outskirts of the city. Sometimes they can be spotted on outer areas as well, where even Flamingos and White Pelicans can be spotted.

Jamnagar, bird watchers Khijadia Bird Sanctuary

Khijadia Bird Sanctuary

This protected area packs in an incredible diversity of ecosystems into the relatively small area of 6 square km. The sanctuary, created over the 1920s and '30s, is formed from two man-made dykes that separate fresh water from sea water, creating the opportunity to simultaneously observe species that belong to each ecosystem, and some that share both. Along with the marine and fresh water habitats, there are also marshy lands, mangroves, Prosopis areas, mudflats, salt pans, creeks, forest scrub, sandy beaches, and even farmlands bordering the area. This provides a haven for more than 220 species of resident and migratory birds, including globally threatened species such as Dalmatian pelican, Asian open bill stork, Black-necked stork, Darter, Black-headed ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, and Indian skimmer, and provides birdwatchers with a delightful chance to sight rare birds in large numbers.

There are no overnight lodges, but facilities include watchtowers, trails, and paddleboats, to help visitors engage with this diverse community. As a visitor, keep in mind that conservation in any area is a difficult process, and that in Khijadia there have been complications with how water is used by local cultivators which affect the ecosystem within the tiny protected area, so if you’re interested, you can ask around about the issues, and find out what impact even your own visit has on the process.

There are no ST buses to the site, but rickshaws are available, and private vehicles can be hired. For permission, more information, or to ask for a guide, contact Conservator of Forests Office, Tel: 0288 2679357, Nagnath Gate, Van Sankul, Ganjiwada, Jamnagar.

Jamnagar, bird watchers Khijadia Bird Sanctuary
An official survey shows that the most number of birds in India are in Gujarat state and in the Gujarat state, the most number of birds are found in Jamnagar
Several migratory birds make Jamnagar their home during the winter months. Bird watchers flock to different places like the bird Sanctury, the Marine Sanctury, the Salt pans, the rivers & water resovoirs of Jamnagar. If you are arriving in Jamnagar by train, especially in winter, you are sure to see wonderful birds just before entering the Jamnagar Station. Jamnagar is one of the few places where one can get very close to birds without disturbing them..