Rare bird watching, star gazing ‘Astro week” at Abbot Mount
Rare bird watching, star gazing ‘Astro week” at Abbot Mount
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, May 19
To explore the world of rare Himalayan birds, over 60 wildlife photographers from all over India, gathered at Abbot Mount peak of Champawat district, under ‘Astro week’ programe, at the behest of district administration. The wildlife photographers exchanged their experiences of rare birds photos taken during the three days event, that concluded today.
Abbott Mount is a picturesque hamlet situated at an elevation of 1981 meters in Lohaghat sub-division of Champawat district. Besides, the rich world of rare Himalayan birds, Himalayan peaks are clearly visible from the ridge.
“The programme, aimed at giving the Abbot Mount peak a new identity in bird watching and Astro watch to give a boost to tourism activities in the area organised under the guidance of Champawat District Magistrate Narendra Singh Bhandari,” said Arvind Gaur, District Tourism Development Officer of Champawat.
“We could photograph, rare Himalayan birds like Hill partridges and Himalayan shrike babbler besides 40 other rare Himalayan birds found in this ridge of Abbott Mount,” said Mohamed Asif, one of the bird watcher who took part in the event.
The 60 nature lovers and bird watchers from all over India, gathered for the event, also identified over 450 species of birds found in the elevation.”Other Himalayan rare birds, like White Throated Lumping bird and Striated Laughing Thrush, were also sighted by the photographers,” said Arvind Gaur, District Tourism Development officer of Champawat.
During the programme three telescopes for star gazing were also installed for astro lovers as the night sky in the countains is a perfect place for star gazing.
According to Champawat District Magistrate Narendra Singh Bhandari, the ‘Astro Week’ programme will again be organised before winter month this year as the view of Himalayan peaks visible from Abbott Mount remains clears those days.”if we could continue to organise such programme in the months of October and November every year, the region will be identified as bird tourism destination and other tourism activities like angling, rafting and boating could be promoted in the region,” the DM added.
