The 2nd Annual Great Himalayan Bird Count, 2009 in Garhwal Himalayas.
Once again bringing you the good news of our avian conservation initiative happening again in Garhwal Himalayas so that this time you are able to contribute in this conservation cause by way of your participation. please go through the details and respond ASAP.
Greetings from the Land of Gods !
(Friends I am Extremely Sorry, if this turns-out to be a cross-posting as we are doing this in completely good faith and conservation sprits. We are also hopeful that even if you are not a bird watcher, then also in the interest of species conservation and considering our sincere efforts for this novel cause, you'll spare some time from your busy schedule in forwarding this mail to all those who could matter; they could be possible funding & grant supporters / event sponsors / bird watchers / bird photographers / universities department heads / conservation organizations / electronic and print media people)
Good News once again, after the great grand success of our "Great Himalayan Bird Count, Winter of 2008 in November" last year, where more than 70 birdwatchers, students & conservationists participated from across the country including one overseas participant, we now gladly announce the dates for our 2nd national level conservation initiative focusing our feathered friends:
"The Great Himalayan Bird Count, Winter of 2009" which is planned on 36 most popular trekking trails situated in the river-valleys of Tons; Yamuna; Bhagirithi; Bhilingna; Ganga; Mandakini and Alaknanda in Garhwal Himalayas including Asan & Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserves in Dehradun & Haridwar districts respectively.
The proposed dates for the Bird Count are: 7th to 10th of November, 2009
The bird count will start and finish at Dehradun
We propose 16 Groups undertaking 36 different treks of +/- 10 kms each between 7th and 10h November 2009 (Each Group size will be a maximum of five birders plus 2-3 urban school students) plus lot of local village youths, forest-line staff and govt. school students from nearby villages will join the trails at the respective count destination itself.
We are involving & encouraging young school children participation; because we at ARCH strongly feel that young minds should start thinking of Conservation involvement as an academic and career pursuit instead of just another creative past-time.
This event will be organized with the support of Forest Department, Govt. of Uttarakhand.
We are gratefully thankful to "Dr Bharat Bhusan", who has very generously accepted the position of "Count Director" for this avian conservation initiative.
There will be an Orientation and Debriefing Workshop at Dehradun on the 7th and 10th of
November 2009 respectively.
The 7th and 10th are also the dates for to-&-fro journey to the count destinations.
Most of the groups will be undertaking two trails during the Count but one or two groups will be undertaking 3-4 trails in the Count.
It is an encounter-rate baseline data generation and conservation awareness activity involving urban and rural youth.
Participants will also enjoy an amazing Bird Photo and Bird Books Exhibition on the 7th November 2009 at the Orientation Workshop Venue at Dehradun.
Each group will accommodate some local youths and some school children from the count area and will provide required orientation & motivation to take-up bird watching as a revenue generation skill by becoming future birding guides in their village area.
Each group is encouraged to conduct a small half-hour workshop type interaction with the local village elders to generate list of vernacular names of the bird species found in different river valleys. They are also expected to document any references occurring in oral folk.
This is not a commercial activity, so we expect the participants to share the cost of lodging, Boarding & travel expenses at actuals during the count. The Participation contribution for Four days of modest travel, boarding and lodging would come to around Rs 3,000/- only. (Pl. Note: Some trails like Dayara Bugyal, Reeh (Ghuttu) and Nauri would cost a little more for purely logistic reasons).
Kindly Note: Participants who fail to register before the 15th of October 2009 will have to pay an additional Late Fee of Rs 1,500/- for ensuring their participation in the bird count.
Each participant will get a participation kit consisting of an event T-Shirt, Cap, Car Stickers, sling pen and a participation certificate plus a hard copy of the published report and a 12"x15" size group photograph taken during the orientation workshop.
During the count modest but comfortable lodging & boarding will be arranged at the FRH, PWD Inspection Bungalows and Village accommodation at some of the trails during the count.
Friends, as most of the trails require some endurance and trekking skills but we also have some very comfortable participation destinations for the elderly birdwatchers.
Friends now you know the dates, so plan your schedules accordingly and kindly let us know of your intention (with your trekking & birding experience of Himalayan bird species) to participate in this wonderful himalayan birding opportunity at the earliest.
Kindly take an early booking initiative to avoid any disappointments later by sending in your Registration Application along with a Demand Draft for Rs 3000/- per person now or
A Non-Refundable Registration Booking can also be made directly by depositing Rs 1500/- cash or by cheque on any branch of Indian Bank in your town / city favoring "ACTION & RESEARCH FOR CONSERVATION IN HIMALAYAS, DEHRADUN" in our Current A/c No. 794568161 for Dehradun Branch, Uttarakhand.
Pl. Note: Participation is only subject to final written confirmation from ARCH office.
Each Group size is restricted to 7-9 birders only, so please hurry...
On hearing from you we'll furnish you the Count Trails and Registration Details at the outset.
Garhwal is a divine place to visit for a truly amazing himalayan birding (it would be mostly Lifers for many of you) & a memorable mountain trekking experience.
"Happy Birding and May you have many rare sightings and new records"
Regards
Prateek Panwar
Founder Trustee
Action & Research for Conservation in Himalayas
MDDA Duplex Villa # 3, Sahastradhara Road,
Opp. Petrol Pump, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 INDIA
Tel# 9412054216
(0135)2114649
Email: arch.himalayas@ yahoo.co. in
arch.birdcount@ yahoo.in
