South Kolkata's Rabindra Sarobar lake—termed as one of the two lungs and kidneys of the city— is hosting the first ever open-air photo exhibition of birds at their habitat till January 25. This first-of-its-kind exhibition features photos of some of the rarest bird species spotted around this 192-acre lake, in the heart of a bustling city. The exhibition is seen as a significant step to identify the country's first urban bio-diversity zones.
The Rabindra Sarovar lake, earlier known as the Dhakuria lake, would have remained hitherto unknown, if not for wildlife enthusiasts and the city's amateur birders. A near 3,000 strong gang of birders, who go on social media as 'Biodiversity of Rabindra Sarobar Group', has documented 110 species of rare and migratory birds in the lake area in the last two years.
The birder's group, comprising of the young and old, retired and professionals, has got the support of the Lions Club, the state forest authority and the Kolkata Municipal and Development Authority, to host this photo exhibition of 50 of their rarest clicks.
Siberian Blue Robin, spotted first time in India at Rabindra Sarovar | D.J. Chakraborty
The exhibition at the Lions Safari Park enclosure at the lake is drawing headlines as well as numerous visitors from the city and surroundings. "The state government lifted the ban in 2012 after a pulmonologist, Dr Sumit Sengupta, captured a rare bird, the Eyebrowed Thrush, on camera. Next year Sandip Das, a reputed birder, got the Asian stubtail, which no one had photographed in India before that," said Sourav De, one of the birders from the Biodiversity of Rabindra Sarovar Group, who is working with a market research firm.
Since then many reputed birders have been frequenting the Rabindra Sarobar lake from across India and even from countries like Bangladesh, UK, and Nepal.
"We thank these birders without whom we would not have known about the beautiful birds that visit here. We are seeking permission from the KMDA, who are the custodians of this lake area, to have signages depicting clear 'Do's and Don'ts' for visitors and amateur birders soon," said Subhash Morarka, the chairman of Lions Safari Park, who was approached by the photographer's group to host this open-air photo exhibition.
The artificial lake was created by Britishers in 1920s. Since then the area spanning 30 hectares had remained largely undisturbed with the city developing around it. Over the next 50 years, a natural forest, comprising more than 7,000 trees, came up around this lake.
The place became notorious as a hideout for criminals and Naxals in the 70s. But today, it is the winter home to at least 106 species of rare birds visiting from distant foreign lands. There are about 850 bird species spotted in West Bengal through the year.
Ferruginous Flycatcher | Sourav De
"Enthusiasts have raised a lot of awareness about birdwatching and wildlife conservation in Kolkata. They also raise conservation issues frequently with us. People here try their best to make it possible for wildlife and concrete development to thrive side by side," said Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chief Conservator of Forest, West Bengal.
The Indian Forest Service official said he was surprised when he found bankers or IT professionals in the city specifying correct botanical names of bird species, or their migratory routes, to the chief conservator with ease—often facts for which he would need to thumb through books, he said.
The Lion Club organisers have been asked to make this open-air photo exhibition of birds an annual affair with the support of the state forest and wildlife department. "This would be a big draw for people, especially the youth, bringing a sense of permanency to this bio-diversity hub," Yadav said.
So far, India has no specific rules to declare urban bio-diversity zones. But according to the senior wildlife conservation official, this is a unique example in Kolkata.
"You can do conservation of wildlife through strictures, but that restricts visitors. But then there is another way. At the Rabindra Sarovar lake, visitors and nearby residents have taken it on themselves to do the wildlife conservation work. Our department wants to support them in their activities and help them make this the first urban bio-diversity zone in the country," Yadav told THE WEEK.
Other state government arms—the fisheries department and the irrigation department—are joining hands with the forest department to help conserve the unique bio-diversity of Rabindra Sarovar lake. They would also be working together to conserve some more upcoming bio-diversity hotspots around the city, like the East Kolkata wetlands, New Town and some others, very soon.
