JOIN USBird lovers can soon have an opportunity to have a closer view of some of the most exotic birds at Pilikula Nisargadhama in Vamanjoor.
An initiative, titled ‘Walk Through Bird Aviary,’ is set to be developed at the Dr Shivaram Karanth Biological Park in the Nisargadhama.
Under the concept, the aviary, which is set to become one of the biggest in Karnataka, will be set up on an area of 25,000-square feet.
The aviary, which will be 200-ft-long, 50-ft-high and 150-ft-wide, will be built and covered with a dome-shaped chain-link mesh. It will have two large ponds, a waterfall and a running stream surrounded by fruit plants.
Birds will be able to freely move around in the aviary and a separate pathway will be built to enable visitors to take a closer look at the birds.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Park’s Director H Jayprakash Bhandary said that the Park, funded by the State government, will be developed at a cost of Rs 40 lakh. “Around 50 per cent of the funds have already been released and the aviary may be ready by April next year,” he said.
Species
The aviary will contain non-predator bird species, primarily from the Western Ghats.
Aquatic birds such as cormorant, egret, pelican, heron, ibis, whistling teals, ducks will be a part of the aviary.
Other birds such as quails, pheasants, crakes, lapwings, doves, pigeons, parakeets, cuckoos, swifts, kingfishers, bee eaters, hornbills, woodpeckers, barbets, orioles, drongo, mynah, magpie, lora, bulbuls, babblers, flycatchers, sunbirds and sparrows will also be introduced.
Plans have also been made to instal separate enclosures for predator species and bats in the future.
“A male and two female ostriches will be brought to the Park within a month,” he said.
The ostriches will be puchased from the Chennai Veterinary College farm. They will cost around Rs five lakh. “These birds will also need a separate enclosure,” he said.
Hippos expected
A hippopotamus enclosure has been built and is ready. A hippopotamus may arrive from Nagpur in a month’s time, according to sources.
A sum of Rs 10 lakh has been spent on the construction of an artificial pond and a grazing ground for the hippo.
There are also plans to introduce zebras, giraffes and rhinoceros. Additional funds are required as these animals will have to be imported from South Africa.
“The snake enclosure will be also expanded,” he said. The park currently contains 26 species of snakes. More species will be brought into the park in the future.