Gujarat is reaping the benefit of playing host to several migratory as well as indigenous birds. The number of bird watchers coming to the state is on the rise, a fact that resort owners close to the bird-watching sites and even bird-watchers and ornithologists vouch for.
They cite various reasons for the trend. Better infrastructure, variety of birds found in state and increasing awareness are some factors that project bird-watching as a tourism potential.
“I have seen a rise in number of bird watchers coming to Kutch alone in last two to three years. 60% of those who come are foreigners while the rest are Indians. Gujarat is home to some rare species of birds. This is also the reason why bird watchers get lured here. Moreover, this gives a boost to the local economy,” said Jugal Tiwari, ecologist at Centre For Desert and Ocean that promotes wildlife and bird-based tourism.
He said Gujarat in general, and Kutch in particular, is a haven for birdwatchers. “Of the 1,250 bird-watching spots in the country, Kutch figures at the top. Of the 485 species of birds found in Gujarat, 350 are found in Kutch alone. So, it should come as no surprise that the number of bird-watchers coming to the state is on the rise,” said Tiwari.
“We have seen a rise in number of tourists just to watch the birds. In fact 89% of the visitors are bird watchers, of which 60% are foreigners. There are several reasons for rise in number of birdwatchers visiting Little Rann of Kutch. The state is being promoted as a tourist destination. Better connectivity also encourages tourists. But only those resorts that concentrate on the wildlife can actually take advantage of such tourists,” said Muzahid Malik, owner of Rann Riders in Little Rann of Kutch.
“We provide in-house naturalists who help the birdwatchers identify the habitat and the place where the birds can be found,” he said.
Ravidutt Kamboj, CCF Marine National Park, said, “Visitors to Khijadiya and Marine National Park have increased substantially. The Global Bird Watchers’ Conference too helped in popularising the wetlands of Gujarat,” said Kamboj. Dr Hiren Soni, assistant professor of environment and an ornithologist for last 15 years, believes that the bird watchers have indeed given a boost to tourism.
“Gujarat wetlands have registered a rise in people coming to watch migratory birds. This has not only given a boost to tourism but helped the local economy as well, including farmers and fishermen besides resorts,” said Soni. Girish Savjani, reservation manager at Hotel Aram, 12 km from Khijadiya bird sanctuary, said every month they get at least 60 bird watchers. “The global bird watchers’ conference has further helped spread awareness about the treasure house that Gujarat is as far as birds are concerned,” he said. However, Tiwari added, "While promoting bird watching as a tourism potential, one should ensure that the ecology and sensitive natural zones are not harmed in the process."
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