The fun to do birding in Khangchendzonga National Park is immense. In the month of February during my reconciliation tour to the park, I was accompanied by three kids, namely, Ten Hang Limboo, Sujal Limboo and Abinash Limboo for six days. Since these kids have intense interest in birding; they followed me all the way long, morning to evening for all those days.
Ten Hang is a guy from class viii, who gets support from his father for birding and is well equipped with a small point-&-shoot camera and a binocular for spotting. During birding days, he was mostly into noting down bird name rather than taking images. He gets major support to do birding from his father Buddha Singh Limboo.
Sujal, the smallest of all is a student from class vi is a very good spotter at the age of 12 with eyes full of queries. He owns two small bird houses; where Green-backed Tits and Eurasian Treesparrows are frequent visitors. The guy is so talented that without taking a break he can pronounce 80+ bird names. Such a talent at the age of 12.
Abinash, a student of class vii; is not that talented as that of Sujal or Tenhang. His interest on birding was majorly influenced by the accompaniment of Tan Hang and Sujal. On 18th February 2016, he also found to set up a bird house; where Grey Treepie visits sometime.
The above paragraphs were for the introduction of three small kids and their interest into birding; who in turn will become the protector of forests of Sikkim after few years. As seniors, it is our job to to influence them more and more so that protecting wildlife within their vicinity becomes a part of their life.
How they are acting as a protector at this age?
Before my visit to KBR (Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve), they did little bit of birding either by themselves or accompanied by Dhan Singh Limboo. Since then, they came to know good-bad-and-ugly parts of human vs bird relation.
On my visit to Yuksam and KBR, first thing we did was birding. What was the second most important thing we did together as a group? We broke bird traps.
The noose or ligature that the bird poachers make are of two types - some of those are of shape '9' and some are of shape '8'. Have a look at the image below, showing reference size of the trap.
Yes readers, you read it rightly. Mostly during non-birding hours from 11 Am to 2 PM we engaged ourselves into that heavenly deed. All together in those six days, we broke eight bird traps and a deer trap. I appointed Avinash to be in-charge of that; when Avinash is engaged in his text books and exams; Ten Hang or Sujal will take part of it.
Their Motto:
Their motto is to make trap free / poaching free KBR in next two years!
They are doing really well on their part to seize bird traps and spreading the words about good, ethical birding amongst their friends so that nobody is engaged into making bird traps. Even some catapult users have joined with the group - now the group size is not limited to Sujal, Ten Hang and Avinash - It is growing day by day. Some other small birding friends who are into learning stage of birding are Yuna Hang, Surit Hang, Aditya and Rakesh. Hopefully more kids will come and join will become a part of good deeds as they mature.
It is very tough to conclude the topic at this junction. However, regular updates I do get from these small kids about the bird traps that they are capturing regularly.
The write-up would be incomplete, if I forget to mention the major supporting figures behind this good deed - Dhan Singh Limboo.
DS Limboo - A proprietor of home stay in Yuksom as Limboo Homestay. This great guy has tagged me with these kids. His enigma of learning this from nature and wildlife has put forward the positive correlation between human and birds at Yuksum. Though it is a very early stage to conclude on that, and we have way to go. His supervision on the eligibility of kids as a teacher will definitely be affirmative on saving birds and wildlife of KBR, Yuksam and adjacent areas.
P.S. Right now, the group 'Trap Breakers' are of 17 in strength. In coming days as the group grows, they will spread the word not to kill birds among their friend circle; eventually the perennial dream would be fulfilled.
Avian fauna list was very healthy as usual.
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| Taken on 20th February Some beautiful birding moments with Sujal, Ten Hang and Avinash |
Sujal, the smallest of all is a student from class vi is a very good spotter at the age of 12 with eyes full of queries. He owns two small bird houses; where Green-backed Tits and Eurasian Treesparrows are frequent visitors. The guy is so talented that without taking a break he can pronounce 80+ bird names. Such a talent at the age of 12.
Abinash, a student of class vii; is not that talented as that of Sujal or Tenhang. His interest on birding was majorly influenced by the accompaniment of Tan Hang and Sujal. On 18th February 2016, he also found to set up a bird house; where Grey Treepie visits sometime.
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| On 17th February - Our visit to Khangchendzonga National Park. From right to left - Ten Hang, Sijal, Avinash |
How they are acting as a protector at this age?
Before my visit to KBR (Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve), they did little bit of birding either by themselves or accompanied by Dhan Singh Limboo. Since then, they came to know good-bad-and-ugly parts of human vs bird relation.
On my visit to Yuksam and KBR, first thing we did was birding. What was the second most important thing we did together as a group? We broke bird traps.
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| The bird poachers are mostly kids; who kill birds just to have fun. The passage way or bird trails are blocked using small sticks and in the opening a round shaped wire is put; during the early morning or in the afternoon when ground dwelling birds like Hill partridge or Satyr Tragopan or kalij Pheasants cross the trail; they would be caught in to the trap. |
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| One end of the noose would be tied to the stick and the other loose end is where the bird would be caught. |
Yes readers, you read it rightly. Mostly during non-birding hours from 11 Am to 2 PM we engaged ourselves into that heavenly deed. All together in those six days, we broke eight bird traps and a deer trap. I appointed Avinash to be in-charge of that; when Avinash is engaged in his text books and exams; Ten Hang or Sujal will take part of it.
Their Motto:
Their motto is to make trap free / poaching free KBR in next two years!
They are doing really well on their part to seize bird traps and spreading the words about good, ethical birding amongst their friends so that nobody is engaged into making bird traps. Even some catapult users have joined with the group - now the group size is not limited to Sujal, Ten Hang and Avinash - It is growing day by day. Some other small birding friends who are into learning stage of birding are Yuna Hang, Surit Hang, Aditya and Rakesh. Hopefully more kids will come and join will become a part of good deeds as they mature.
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The write-up would be incomplete, if I forget to mention the major supporting figures behind this good deed - Dhan Singh Limboo.
DS Limboo - A proprietor of home stay in Yuksom as Limboo Homestay. This great guy has tagged me with these kids. His enigma of learning this from nature and wildlife has put forward the positive correlation between human and birds at Yuksum. Though it is a very early stage to conclude on that, and we have way to go. His supervision on the eligibility of kids as a teacher will definitely be affirmative on saving birds and wildlife of KBR, Yuksam and adjacent areas.
P.S. Right now, the group 'Trap Breakers' are of 17 in strength. In coming days as the group grows, they will spread the word not to kill birds among their friend circle; eventually the perennial dream would be fulfilled.
