Bird Tourism Talks & Seminars in Meghalaya
During the Monolith Festival, we organized various activities related to birds, including bird walks, an awareness program for secondary school students, a workshop for tour guides and operators, and an exhibition stall displaying pictures of birds found in Meghalaya. The events were well-attended, and we were able to observe 27 different bird species during the walks. The exhibition stall received an unexpected reaction from people, and we were thrilled to meet so many individuals interested wildlife and documenting life in our hills.
The bird walks organised for both experienced and new birders was at the Umiam Reservoir at Mawphlang, where we observed 27 different species over the 3 mornings of birding. Rusty birders who came, were enthusiastic to meet like-minded individuals, and resume their birding activities! Additional birding by our team came up with more species including unique ones such as the endemic Tawny-breasted Wren Babbler!
We held an awareness programme with the students of the secondary schools of Mawphlang, regarding the importance of nature, and birds from a human perspective on the 8th of March, 2024. The programme was held at Seng Khasi School, Mawphlang, and had an attendance of about 60 students and teachers, followed by a drawing competition on the theme of the “Importance of Birds”, where 22 students participated. The winners were Ibadondor Kharshiing, 1st; Daphisha Lyngdoh, 2nd; Streamlet K. Shing, 3rd. Each participant had a wonderful interpretation and wonderful skill! I do hope they all keep continuing in their creative expressions.
An Important event that we conducted was a workshop with tour guides, and tour operators of Meghalaya. However, students from colleges also showed up for it! The workshop was to provide an overview of birds, birders, birdwatching, and bird-tourism and it was led by Dr. Arpit Deomurari, Gaurav Kataria, and Ezra Rynjah. The president of TGAM (Tour Guides Association of Meghalaya), Ialamphang Lyngdoh, vice-president Gilbert Khongsit and General Secretary of TGAM and Tour Operators Association of Meghalaya, Gerald Samuel Duia were also in attendance. We had about 40 people present at the workshop, coming from different corners of Meghalaya. There, we had the opportunity to learn from each other about what the needs and expectations were from bird-tourism. The session allowed for future plans of skill development in the direction of this form of conservation-based tourism.
We also had an exhibition stall behind the amphitheatre of the Heritage Village at Mawphlang where we displayed a collection of 40 pictures of birds found and photographed within Meghalaya. The pictures were judged as a part of a competition, and the results were as follows: 1st – Mr. Antony Grossy for his picture of a White-tailed Robin; 2nd – Mr. B. L. Buam for his picture of a Red-headed Trogon; and 3rd – Mr. Andy Pariat for his picture of Green-tailed sunbird.
After the aforementioned drawing competition with the secondary school students of Meghalaya, we also displayed their wonderful creations! The exhibition stall had a completely unexpected reaction from people, many wondering that such colourful and birds were also found within our region! Additionally, I didn’t know the local names for many of the birds on display, but there were many inputs from different people, who actually recognised the birds, and contributed names for them from their respective region. The richness and diversity of names was truly astounding and I was thrilled to meet so many people who are working and are interested in wildlife and documenting life in our hills.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to have met so many people interested in bird-watching, bird life, and wildlife at the different activities related to birds I helped organise during the Monolith Festival! Thank you Alan West Kharkongor, the KHADC, Hima Mawphlang, TGAM, TOAM, the teachers from the different schools at Mawphlang, the students of the same schools, Kenneth Blah who hosted the team, James Chettri who helped me out at the stall, Gaurav Kataria, Arpit Deomurari, and all the people who came to take part in the bird walks, and who visited the public exhibition to share their knowledge of local names, and local wildlife, for making these events so fruitful!
