Bird centres in the City

Bird centres in the City
S Lalitha
To help sustain the bird population in the City, the Forest cell of the BBMP will set up bird centres in selected parks in the City shortly. The move is also aimed at creating awareness on birds among the local population.

Speaking to Metrolife, Deputy Conservator of Forests, S Shekar said, “this is one among three major initiatives to be undertaken by the Forest department in line with the directions of BBMP Commissioner Dr S Subramanya. These centres will provide food and water to the birds.”

The Yesvantpur Soap Factory abounds in parakeets and pigeons in the evenings. Varieties of birds also crowd the Margosa road and Sampige road in Malleswaram, he said.

“The areas where the centres will be set up are being identified and one centre will be inaugurated on a token basis within a week. The exact term to refer to the centres (for example, bird habitat) is also being worked out,” Shekar added.

After the centres are launched in parks, they will be set up in other areas where birds are found in abundance, like the Hebbal lake and lakes in Yesvantpur.

Green police
Another step towards eco-preservation will be the setting up of Green Police comprising of volunteers from the public. The thrust of this group will be the protection of trees and its members will assist forest officers of BBMP in tree management. “Planting of trees, pruning, trimming and felling will be their responsibility, ” the Deputy Conservator said.

Tree census
School children and volunteers will be involved in an intitiative by the forest department to create a census of trees in the City. The census will be undertaken wardwise and the database will be maintained by the concerned zonal officers.

The census will gather details on the species, girth, height and the type of tree.
Details will be collected on whether the trees are matured or newly planted. Information on the total number of trees planted in a current year will also be obtained.