Surprise delight: In a first, colourful feathers decorate Vellore’s Amirthi forest

“For the first time in its history, various bird species have arrived at the Amirthi forest in the Jawadhu hills,” said forest range officer J Raja.

Although the mini-zoo maintained by the forest department is a major attraction in Amirthi, the arrival of birds has boosted the visitor count. Some of the species that have been sighted by avid observers include the lesser golden-backed woodpecker, jungle owlet, spotted owlet, Tickell’s blue flycatcher, sun bird, common kingfishers, green bee-eater and southern coucal.

The dense forest aided by a continuous cool breeze and lack of human interference are the main reasons for the birds to visit Amirthi, which is sandwiched between Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts.

The forest department has banned fire crackers and beating of drums in a bid to ensure that the winged visitors are not disturbed. It has also sensitized 12 villages in and around Amirthi.

Raja said they were alerted when bird watchers started arriving at the park. “Obviously one of them who first noticed the new birds informed those with similar interests resulting in many bird watchers – both Indian and foreign – turning up at the park,” he said.

Forest department officials said the birds have built nests and have started breeding which is an indicator of the healthy environment, something which they intend to preserve.

Asked whether students would be invited to watch the birds, officials said that was not possible as in addition to the birds being in dense forest areas, arrival of many visitors might drive them away. “However, we are preparing a plan for an eco-tourist circuit, which would allow limited visitors in specific areas,” Raja added.