Nearly a dozen species of migratory birds have been visiting Gopa Village in Orissas Kendrapada District for a decade now.
By Sarada Lahangir
Gopa (Kendrapada) Orissa, Aug.30 : Nearly a dozen species of migratory birds have been visiting Gopa Village in Orissa's Kendrapada District for a decade now.
It appears that these winged visitors have taken a liking to the hospitality offered to them by locals here. Today, Gopa Village, located along National Highway 5-A, is a haven to thousands of birds migrating from different lands.
About 5,000 birds of 11 different species are putting up in the village these days for nesting from July to October.
Egrets, herons, storks, cormor, darters, spoonbills and ibises are some of the visiting alien birds.
These birds have always been treated as privileged guests in Gopa Village for the last decade. Residents, on their part, make all efforts to ensure their safety.
The villagers in Gopa have made it a collective responsibility to guard these birds.
Dhurba Charan Ojha, a resident of Gopa village, said: "Often strong wind blows when the tiny chics fall down from the nest and die. If anyone is found alive, we put it back in its nest on the tree. As the trees where these birds are nesting are close to the road, many outsiders come here to catch them. We keep a watch and chase away such miscreants and at times impose fine on them."
Villagers say that the businessmen in Sitaram Banika Sangha act as birds' guardians and ensure the safety and security of these innocent creatures.
Though the birds have been visiting the Gopa Village for over a decade, the villagers remained unaware of their significance.
Pradipta Kumar Pati, another villager, said: "The ornithologists surveying Chilka do not know from where these birds come from--either from Philippines or France. Neither any one is certain about the direction they actually arrive from."
Having observed birds for so many years here, many residents enjoy keeping a close eye on their guests' lifestyle.
She said: "These birds arrive here by mid-monsoon. They make their nests on the trees and lay eggs and stay at the nests till hatching. The parent birds then fly away in search of the food. Once the newborns develop feathers big enough to fly, they go out for their food. By that time the winter arrives and the birds fly back."
Inspired by the voluntary efforts of Gopa's residents, the local administration has also shown signs of protecting these birds.
The big danger, however, to these winged guests are the snakes and jackals which attack them soon after the birds lay the eggs.
ANI