Urban Improvement Trust and Forest Department have come together with an initiative of installing signages near lakes, explaining more about the variety of birds that flock all water bodies in an around the city.

Udaipur’s lakes are a resort to many bird species, however a negligible number of residents or tourists who come to these lakes regularly, are aware of the species.  They enjoy their chirps in the early mornings or late evenings, but this is all they know about the birds.

In order to increase such awareness among residents and tourists as well as with the intention of seeking participation in protection and conservation of the birds, district administration has embarked to install signages along roadsides beside the lakes.  A joint venture between the UIT and Forest Department, where the UIT has provided a budget of Rs. 3 Lac, the Forest Department has taken the charge to make the sign boards carrying interesting details and pictures of the avian fauna.

“Hundreds of people daily throng around Fatehsagar lake but very few persons really know the names or identify any of the approximate 45 bird species that are found in and around the lake.  We often come across people curiously looking at these birds however there is no one to educate the onlookers, hence we came up with sign board idea that will help people identify these wonderful creatures”, Collector Rohit Gupta said.

He added, “motive behind this initiative to create awareness among citizens about natural bounty encountered every day in Udaipur; this will also promote a culture of bird watching, which may prove a stress buster for citizens”.

“With over 60 bird species seen around Udaipur city, each one of them with their own unique features charming onlookers, we have signages installed along Fatehsagar and Rani Road in the first phase, after getting a budget approved from the administration.  The first phase has covered 34 species and remaining will be seen on more sign boards that will be put up in various tourists centers including Lake Pichhola and Doodh Talai”, anounced T. Mohanraj, Deputy Conservator of Forest (Wild Life).

Looking at the large number of parakeets that rests and dwells around the Collectorate and District Judge’s residence in the center of the city, signages would be installed here in the coming days to inform the residents, the forest officer said.