A rare bird in Dharwad's Mugad

Miscellany

On the way to Mugad village in Dharwad taluk, I sighted a rare multi-coloured charming bird. Bird watcher Gangadhar Kallur confirmed that it was the Indian roller bird.
Noted environmentalist Mukund Maigur pointed out that the Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis), is locally called Blue Jay. The has been given the status of a state bird for the states of Karnataka, Bihar, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. However the conservation status has been denoted as ‘Least Concern’- LC. But, progressive farmer Kallappa Vaddatti explains, “We have not spotted this bird over the past two three years. Earlier they were sighted in hundreds and probably this month could be their breeding season. Something should be done to save the bird.”   
Recently in association with BNHS institute, the Mysore Amateur Naturalists (MAN) Institute, of Mysore along with 14 NGOs carried out a survey of birds in Karnataka. The survey reveals that 36 places in Karnataka state have been declared ‘Prominent Places for Birds Conservation.’
The volunteers, of 14 teams, visited 19 bird prominent places of Karnataka and conducted a detailed survey by making use of the data collected in past 20 years by a dedicated team of professionals, naturalists and ornithologists.
The places recognised as ‘Prominent Places for Birds’ in Karnataka are: Aadi Chunchanagiri, Anasi National Park, Bandipur, Bannerghatta, Bhadra Wild Life Sanctuary, Bheemagad forest, Biligiri Rangaswamy Hill, Brahamagiri, Kaveri Wild Life Sanctuary, Gudavi, Hampi, Jogimatti, Karanji Tank of Mysore, Kukkarahalli Tank, Kemmanagundi, Kempole Forest, Kokkarebellur, KRS backwater area, Kuduremukh, Magadi and Shettikere tanks, Melukote, Nagarahole, Nandi Hill, Narsambudi tank, Pushpagiri, The forest of Ramanagara range, Ranganatittu, Ranebennur, Sharavati valley, Someshwara Wild life Sanctuary, Soolekere tank, Talakaveri Wild life Sanctuary, Arabbi tittu and Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary.  
Considering that the roller bird has been sighted at the village, it is about time the village be included in the list. Are the authorities listening?

Harshavardhan V Sheelavant

A sugarcane press

It is a 125-year-old sugarcane press. V T Devagudi in Sirsi has collected this sugarcane press called alemane gana in Kannada. When there was no machinery, sugarcane farmers used such wooden instruments. The Malnad region was famous for alemane (jaggery processing units) from November to March. The wooden instrument is made out of a gooseberry tree’s wood and is  alwayskept in water. Otherwise it breaks in the scorching sun. Devagudi has the hobby of collecting natural roots and twigs and shaping them into various artistic pieces.

Sandhya Hegde Almane