We all are aware that the University of North Bengal forms a perfect ground for pursuing higher education but very few of us know that the campus area, spread across 300 acres, is an ideal birding destination.
Snuggled around 6.3 km from Siliguri at Raja Rammohanpur in the district of Darjeeling, it is a place bird watchers to head to. The destination can be accessed en route National Highway Number 10 and boasts of a variety of habitats ranging from floral and avian species, grasslands, tall trees and water bodies.
According to retired professor Ananda Mukhopadhyay, University of North Bengal, “The campus has a patch of original forest land that has been protected for a long time and has an ideal environment for perching and nesting of avian species. There are two rivulets –– Magurmari and Lachka –– flowing through the campus.
Nowadays, Siliguri has become a concrete jungle and greenery is rapidly vanishing in and around the town. The scenario doesn’t get any better in the university campus lying close to town. In order to conserve the dwindling avian habitat, we had taken an account of avian species visiting the university campus in 2014.”
Mukhopadhyay had recorded 106 avian species in the university ground. A pertinent question arises whether there are any endangered avian species or winged birds facing the danger of extinction in the campus. Mukhopadhyay said, “There are raptors that are carnivorous birds and vultures that have become vulnerable.”
Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature, only those avian species that are likely to become endangered unless there is improvement in the environment have been categorised as vulnerable. That is caused mainly due to loss of habitat and destruction of the home of the species. So what initiatives are to be taken to conserve the campus and protect the avian habitat?
Mukhopadhyay, a member of Bombay Natural History Society, said, “The maintenance of avian habitat with minimum interference from humans is highly desirable. Avian species constitute a significant link in the food chain and serve as biological control agents for plants. These species also save plants like timber, sal and jarool by taking up vermins and insects.”
He also pointed out that the university campus can emerge as a significant birding destination. In today’s world, rapid urbanisation and mushrooming of a large number of establishments are causing havoc with the avi-an eco-system. Mukhopadhyay said, “People who are highly aware about avian diversity including nature-lovers, environmentalists and birdwatchers need to visit the university campus. It should not be crowded with those who have no concern for the environment.”
Not far away from the University of North Bengal lies Phulbari barrage on river Teesta at a distance of five kms. Mukhopdhyay said, “The Phulbari barrage is a sound avian ground and along with the university campus can turn into an avian retreat for nature lovers.”