BENGALURU: Almost 20 years ago, Manoj Kumar, a forest official, narrated a tale of a family of hornbills at a nature camp. Two decades on, the story continues to reverberate in Dandeli region and has helped in creating awareness to protect the habitat of hornbills.
Today, the forests of Dandeli region are considered the last stronghold for this big and elusive bird species that are seen breeding in large numbers here.
Naturalists and state forest officials say with good protection measures, sightings of these birds have increased and they are even seen outside the reserve carved out for them. Forests officials and naturalists like Manoj Kumar, C R Naik, H S Shashidhar and locals have played a big role in protecting these birds.
Apart from the forests in the North East, Dandeli and surrounding areas of Joida and Supa are considered the last refuge for hornbills in the country.
H S Shashidhar, a naturalist at Kali Adventure Camp, JLR Dandeli, has been studying hornbills for the past 17 years. He said, “Roosting is more near River Kali, Dandeli, and Ganeshgudi, Supa dam. Earlier, due to poaching for its meat, their numbers were fewer but concerted efforts by the forest department and awareness campaigns, Dandeli region has become a hub for hornbills.”
A walk down the woods
The four-and-half-kilometre-long Dandeli Timber Trail, including the 77 hectares carved out under the Horn Bill Conservation Reserve, sees the maximum number of birds. This has attracted bird watchers and wildlife photographers from across the country.
As one walks along the trail, a Malabar Grey or an Indian Grey can be sighted perched on dead trees or taking a leisurely flight. Looping in and out of the timber yard near the forest office, the trail has logged timber lying around in mounds. Four species of hornbills are seen here perched on dead trees or nesting on tall trees as high as 30-40 feet.
The Great Hornbill species
Of the four species found in this region, the Great Hornbill which was earlier difficult to spot is seen more often now. Shashidhar adds, “Previously, we thought there were only 3-4 birds but now 60 birds have been counted.”
Dr Ramesh, DCF, Haliyal division, added that the Great Hornbill has in fact been sighted in large numbers in Dandeli. “All species have been protected well. Some of the areas where these are largely spotted include Dandeli town, timber depot, Kali and Syke’s Point. It is not possible to estimate the numbers but with more sightings, the hornbill population has definitely increased in these regions.”
Protecting dead trees
Among the measures adopted to protect these bird species is to preserve dead trees. Shashidhar adds, “Dead trees are very important for their survival and they are marked by the birds. So tree species like Matti (Terminalia), Honne (Indian Kino tree), etc inside the timber yard have to be left as it is for their perching activity. More fruit trees like figs, jamun have to be planted. Littering is another problem in the reserve and this needs to be controlled as it leads to forest fires.”
Ramesh adds, “There are strict instructions not to remove dead trees where birds have been sighted. With birds breeding, we have in fact left out even those trees that were enumerated. As far as fruit trees are concerned, we are raising cuttings, distributing them and planting them wherever possible. We want locals, NGOs and schools to take part in plantation programmes. Protection of hornbills is only possible through reciprocation and support from people.”