hornbill species in India are found in Pakke!
The adoption programme monitors hornbill
nests with help from local people. Anyone
can become a hornbill parent by adopting
a nest for Rs. 6,000 per year. In return, NCF
shares two reports every breeding season
with details of the hornbills’ nesting status
and the nest trees, which are monitored
and protected.A BRIGHT IDEA!
I finally knew what I could do to help. All
I needed was a plan to raise money for
the nests. My goal was to adopt at least
three nests. As I thought and thought,
a brilliant idea struck me. Eureka! My
birthday was just around the corner,
and I thought that instead of accepting
presents, I would request my friends to
help me raise money towards the Hornbill
Nest Programme. I changed the theme of
my birthday to hornbills and even made a
special invite with the purpose of raising
funds. This year, it was not only about me- it was also about the hornbills.
PROUD MAMA
I celebrated my birthday a couple of
months ago, and I am glad to report that
the plan worked well. I was able to raise
enough money to adopt six nests! I am
hopeful that my friends too will be inspired
and motivated towards nature conservation
and perhaps do something similar for their
favourite animals on their birthdays. My
dream is to visit the Pakke Tiger Reserve
and see these lovely hornbills.Hornbills
SANCTUARY ASIA, 2018 MAY 29Unfortunately, I found out that these
avian wonders are struggling to survive
due to poaching and habitat loss. I
worried about the future of these birds
and I wanted to help. But what could I
do? Then, one day my dad came home
and told me about an organisation
called the Nature Conservation
Foundation (NCF) and their Hornbill
Nest Adoption Programme.
THE HORNBILL NEST
ADOPTION PROGRAMME
This programme was aimed at saving
species such as Rufous-necked Hornbills,
classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
There are only about 7,000 to 10,000
wild Rufous-necked Hornbills left in
the world. In India, mainly found in the
northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh,
these birds were poached for their meat
and beaks, leading to a sharp decline in
their numbers.
Concerned at the state of these birds,
NCF started the Hornbill Nest Adoption
Programme in the Pakke Tiger Reserve.
A haven for hornbills, four of the nine
Hornbills fascinate me. Their
distinct way of nesting and
their unique physical features
leave me wonderstruck. “Such
enchanting birds... who would
ever want to harm them?” I
wondered. BY SAHITI BULUSU
A
PARTY
FOR^Sahiti Bulusu (fourth from left) is a fi fth
grader at The International School of
Bangalore. She is a wildlife enthusiast
with a love for birds.RUPAK GHOSH DASTIDAR /ENTRY-SANCTUARY WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2017PRAKASH BULUSUPRAKASH BULUSUPRAKASH BULUSUPRAKASH BULUSUThe birthday cake.The return gifts.The table decor.