Barbara reserve forest home to rare bird species

BHUBANESWAR: Over 108 species of birds, including some rare ones, were sighted in Barbara reserve forest during a recent survey by the forest department.

"Barbara forest range ( spreads over 350 sq km in Khurda and Nayagarh districts) is rich in bio-diversity. We plan to create a database of fauna found in the forest," said divisional forest officer (Khurda) A K Patnaik.

Patnaik said such surveys will also be conducted in the monsoon and winter so that by the end of the year we will have season-wise database of fauna in the reserve forest.

Members of voluntary organizations participated in the survey. Three teams of 12 members covered Barbara, Betuli, Dhuyannali and Patia.

"Species like Jerdon's Baza (Aviceda jerdoni) was a rare sighting. The bird is unlikely in evergreen forests like Barbara. Besides, there were several species which may attract bird lovers from across the world to the forest," said Shakti Nanda of Odisha Wildlife Lounge.

"The fauna survey is a unique idea. Other forests in the state should also go for it," said honorary wildlife warden of Khurda district Subhendu Mallik.