The inaugural edition of the Aalo Bird Walk, titled ‘Feathers and Footsteps,’ organized by the West Siang District Administration and the Siang team of Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE-Siang), in collaboration with the Forest and Tourism Department, concluded successfully today. The event featured a diverse range of engaging activities, including informative talks on bird identification, the importance of bird conservation, and an entertaining quiz. Twenty students from SFS College, Aalo, actively participated in the quiz and showcased impressive knowledge.
During the bird walk held on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, a total of 57 bird species were sighted and observed by approximately 45 participants. Ms. Mamu Hage, Deputy Commissioner of West Siang, expressed delight at the enthusiastic response to the 1st Aalo Bird Walk, particularly from local youths, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to continuing such initiatives in the future. Despite challenging weather conditions, including cold, cloudy, and misty weather, the bird walks were highly successful.
The highlight of the event was the sighting of approximately 1000 Common Cranes in flight, possibly en route to their breeding grounds, marking a significant record for West Siang and the Siang Valley. Dr. Rajkamal Goswami, leading the ATREE-Siang team, noted the importance of the Siang Valley as a vital riverine corridor for major migratory birds, citing the sighting of around 2000 bar-headed Geese within an hour—a noteworthy record for the region.
