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A railway station turns safe haven for winged guests

At home: Open bill storks atop a tree at the Dhandmal railway station.

BHUBANESWAR: Dhanmandal, a sleepy railway station about 40 km from Cuttack, hardly catches attention of passing by train passengers. But when one goes closer to the station premises, he is greeted by high-pitched hubbubs, which makes it distinct from other train halting points.

The station premises is ‘unlikely’ breeding place for hundreds of migratory birds. Thanks to employees of the railways whose protection initiatives has turned the seven banyan trees as safe haven for Asian open bill storks, locally called as Gendalia.

"Although the birds litter the place with their droppings, railway staff have never shown irritation. Rather we have imposed prohibitory orders that nobody should attack our winged guests," Ramesh Ojha, stationmaster of Dhanmandal Railway Station, said.

The railway department has made special arrangements to clean the droppings of birds regularly. Though the noise generated by birds irritates them, they have learnt to live with this. These birds start flocking from June.

"Earlier, poaching of these birds for meat was rampant in the area, but due to their initiative now it has been completely stopped. If a person is found targeting Gendalias, we impose a fine of Rs 1,000 on him. Nobody can cause harm to the birds," K. K Lakra, personnel of the Government Railway Police said.

Due to the conservation initiative the number of birds flocking the area has increased in the recent years. Earlier the birds used to nest in only two banyan trees in the area but now the birds are found nesting in the adjacent seven banyan trees.

Local people too have started participating in the conservation of birds.

"The visit of these birds is an indicator of onset of monsoon. Local people greet these birds with great happiness and joy as the presence of these birds in their area brings good monsoon," Sweta Mishra, a researcher with city-based conservation group, Vasundhara, said.

Each bird lays around 6-8 eggs and nurtures their young ones before the vigilant eyes of the local people and railway staff. Once the young ones are capable of flying, they leave the place around the month of December, Ms Mishra said.

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