LUNGLA, 13 Apr: The sighting of 105 different bird species in only three days in Lungla, erstwhile Lumla, subdivision of Tawang has created much buzz in the birders’ world and exposed the rich biodiversity of the region.
The subdivision already has the distinction of habitating Red Panda and Snow Leopard, a common sight among the herders.
The birders-comprising Koj Mama, Punyo Chada, Hibu Talu, Bamin Baro, Bamin Chada, Millo Tako and Dr. Joram Khopey spotted 105 birds from Zemithang, Old Lumla, Namstering besides, sighting many mammals
including the Capped Langur, Barking Dear, Yellow-Throated Marten and Malayan Giant Squirrel.
Among the 105 birds, the twitchers were delighted to spot the Ultramarine Fly Catcher, Redheaded Bullfinch, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Blyth’s Swift, Bhutan Laughingtrush, Khalij Peasant, Rufous- Breasted Accentor, Crested Bunting, Darjeeling Woodpecker among others, that too, near human habitation.
During the three-day bird watching, the birders also sighted a snake believed to be rare and a member of the vine snake family. The snake’s photo and video have been sent to the expert outside for confirmation while the birders anxiously await the report.
Meanwhile, the Women Welfare Association, Lungla in association with Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club (APBC) and Ngunu Ziro organized a homestay, photography and birding workshop at the Gakyid Zomkhall Hall on Wednesday where advisor to minister for planning & investment and RWD Jambey Tashi attended as the chief guest.
Tashi, who is also the local MLA, stated that his constituency is blessed with rich biodiversity and has a vast tourism potential that is yet to be tapped. He urged the youths especially, the unemployed, to tap the resources and be self-reliant instead of relying heavily on the scarce government jobs.
Elaborating on the workshop’s significance, he told the participants to implement what they learned and spread the message to others who could not make it to the programme.
The lawmaker also appealed to the Gaon Burahs to take a proactive role in preserving the rich flora and fauna of the region. Perturbed by the repeated forest fires in the area, he told the GBs to convince the villagers to stop it at the earliest for a greener environment and prevent the water table depletion caused by deforestation.
Lungla additional deputy commissioner Tashi Dhondup said Lungla has 18 registered home stay accommodations. The successful interface between birding, homestay, and photography will go a long way in harnessing the area’s tourism potential, thereby elevating one’s livelihood.
Earlier, in a powerpoint presentation, APBC president Koj Mama showed the photographs of the birds spotted during the three-day birdwatching and explained in detail the vast tourism potential the Lungla area can provide and the ways to tap it. He credited the Airgun Surrender Abhiyan, an initiative of the government of Arunachal Pradesh to protect the fauna, for the unprecedented sightings of birds in the last one year.
Lungla zilla parishad member Thupten Gambo also spoke on the significance of the workshop. Punyo Chada and Hibu Tatu of Ngunu Ziro conducted the technical sessions on homestay while Dr. Joram Khope deliberated on the basics of photography.
