By BW Hotelier

IN ORDER to promote the state as a leading destination for Ornithologists and bird lovers from all over the world, Goa Tourism aims to undertake massive promotion drive in the State. As a given the fact, that the tiny state has an amazing bird diversity boasting of almost 423 bird species which are available in the State. This is expected to give a big boost for eco and hinterland tourism.
Goa Tourism has tied up with the Bird Society of Goa based in Panjim, which is an autonomous society to promote ornithological interest in the State. As a part of this initiative, Goa Tourism will be supporting the Bird Society with a special grant of Rs 10.00 lakhs for publishing a photographic field guide on ’Birds of Goa’ authored by Bikram Grewal and Savio Fonseca. The Bird Society will also help Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in developing bird trails in the State, and provide information to bird lovers on the GTDC website.
Avi-Tourism is expected to attract high-end tourists and bird lovers from all over the world to it’s bird hotspots scattered across the State. Goa is also expected to be prominently featured as a Bird Watchers Paradise on the global map. Records have it that Goa has 4 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) identified by the Global Program of the Bombay Natural History Society along with Bird Life International ’ UK namely Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and Carambolim lake, in addition to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
The move is to include three more IBAs namely Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary and Navelim wetlands in Bicholim.

Dilip Parulekar, Minister for Tourism, Govt. of Goa, said, ’Goa Tourism has several tourism facets which are big attractions for tourists from far and wide. Avi-Tourism is one of the many highlights that bring Ornithologists and bird lovers to Goa in large numbers. We are very proud to have one more feather in the cap that is taking Goa Tourism’s name to greater heights. ’Birds of Goa’ is a big achievement in this regard and I appreciate the efforts taken by the Bird Society of Goa for scripting and publishing this Bird Guide. The strength of this book lies in its photographs and content. I am confident that Bird Watching Expeditions will get more exciting and enlightening.’

’Avi-Tourism has attracted attention in recent years as an environmentally-friendly activity,’said Nilesh Cabral, Chairman, GTDC.

’Goa also has great potential for avi-tourism tourism than is currently being realized,’ he said pointing out to success stories of other countries where bird watching is a potentially lucrative and growing market.

Goa offers the perfect setting for ornithologists and bird watchers which would include fanatics for the highly specialized ones and those who are into it as a hobby. October to February offers a wide spectra of birds with migratory birds invading Goa’s wetland hotspots for the season.

Photo: A Vigors Sunbird photographed in St Inez Creek Goa.-