The sighting of 105 distinct bird species in just three days in Lungla, formerly Lumla, Tawang, has sparked a lot of interest among birders and highlighted the region’s great biodiversity.
Moreover, the area already has the distinction of being home to Red Panda and Snow Leopard, both of which are familiar sights among herders.
Many Birders were present to see the distinct bird species
Meanwhile, the birders, which included Koj Mama, Punyo Chada, Hibu Talu, Bamin Baro, Bamin Chada, Millo Tako, and Dr Joram Khopey, saw 105 bird species from Zemithang, Old Lumla, and Namstering, as well as various animals such as the Capped Langur, Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, and Malayan Giant Squirrel.
The Ultramarine FlyCatcher, Redheaded Bullfinch, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Blyth’s Swift, Bhutan Laughingtrush, Khalij Pheasant, Rufous-Breasted Accentor, Crested Bunting, and Darjeeling Woodpecker were among the 105 bird species seen by the twitchers, all of which were found near human habitation.
Further, during the three-day birding trip, the birders also came upon a snake that is said to be rare and belongs to the vine snake family. The images and video of the snake have been forwarded to a specialist outside for confirmation, and the birders are eagerly awaiting the results.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Women Welfare Association of Lungla, in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club (APBC) and Ngunu Ziro, hosted a homestay, photography, and birding workshop at the Gakyid Zomkhall Hall, with Jambey Tashi, advisor to the minister for planning and investment and RWD, as the chief guest.
Furthermore, Tashi, who is also the local MLA, claims that his district is rich in biodiversity and has a huge tourism potential that has yet to be realised. He pushed young people, particularly the unemployed, to take advantage of available resources and become self-sufficient rather than relying excessively on a few government positions.
He went on to explain the importance of the workshop, telling the attendees to put what they had learned into practice and to share the message with others who were unable to attend.
The lawmaker also urged the Gaon Burahs to play a more active part in maintaining the region’s rich flora and fauna. He urged the GBs to persuade the villagers to put out the forest fires as soon as possible for a better environment and to avoid the decrease in the water table caused by deforestation.
Tashi Dhondup, Lungla’s extra deputy commissioner, said the town had 18 registered homestay establishments. The successful integration of birdwatching, homestays, and photography will go a long way toward maximising the area’s tourism potential and, as a result, improving one’s life.
Earlier, APBC president Koj Mama displayed images of the bird species found during the three-day birding trip and outlined in detail the tremendous tourism potential the Lungla area can bring and how to harness it in a PowerPoint presentation.
He attributed the extraordinary bird species sightings in the recent year to the Airgun Surrender Abhiyan, a government of Arunachal Pradesh’s attempt to conserve biodiversity.
Thupten Gambo, a member of the Lungla Zilla Parishad, also spoke about the importance of the session. The technical lessons on homestay were led by Punyo Chada and Hibu Tatu of Ngunu Ziro, while Dr Joram Khope spoke the fundamentals of photography.
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