The Hindu : Front Page : A bird-watcher’s tips for conservation goals

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Sunday, Feb 10, 2008
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A bird-watcher’s tips for conservation goals

Sunny Sebastian

Not very optimistic about return of Siberian cranes to Keoladeo park

JAIPUR: Ornithologist Peter Kaestner has suggested reaching out to the “aam aadmi” (common man) through “charismatic mega fauna” such as the tiger and the elephant for long-term conservation goals in India. Conservation should be presented to the public in such a manner that they would understand it and relate it to their lives and ethos, he said.

“India has a very interesting tradition of living in harmony with nature. There are certain great challenges ahead for the country but I am very optimistic,” said Mr. Kaestner, who also happens to be the Consul-General at the US Embassy in New Delhi.

“The tiger is a great example. There are lots of people who would take all the trouble to see a tiger in the wild. It is a lot harder to get excited about smaller fauna,” he said.

Mr. Kaestner, ranked the third best bird-watcher in the world, was here in the Pink City to attend the 11th Birding Fair at the Man Sagar Lake, organised jointly by the Tourism and Wildlife Society of India, World Pheasant Association, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and Jal Tarang. This year’s fair is dedicated to India’s national bird, Peafowl.

“One can start with bigger forms of wildlife and then move on to the lesser ones. As such conservation is not easy in even in the developed nations,” Mr. Kaestner observed in his interaction with media persons. “What all people can relate to themselves should be picked up as the entry point. It is a lot easier in India because of its great traditions of conservation,” he said.

Migratory birds

“Conservation is more difficult when it comes to migratory birds,” said the diplomat, who had his schooling in India and after whom a bird—Cundinamarca Antpitta, Grallaria kaestneri—discovered by him back in 1989 as a new species in Colombia, is named. “The song birds which visit the US from May to August had escaped our attention because of their limited stay there. Then we realised that partnership with the countries where they go rest of the year is the best way to conserve them,” he said.

Though not very optimistic about the return of the Siberian cranes to the marshes of Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, Mr. Kaestner is confident of the 29 sq km park regaining its glory once the water is made available. “Keoladeo would regain its glory, nothing to worry about it, but as for the flock of Siberian cranes reaching Bharatpur I fear that is extinct,” he said confirming what George Archibald, the founder of the International Crane Foundation, said a few months ago while in Jaipur.

“As such it is very difficult prove that any particular species does not exist. Normally if they are not spotted for 50 years they are officially considered extinct,” he said. Obviously Mr. Kaestner enjoys discovering new species, not proving any one of it dead as a Dodo!

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