In an unusual twist at IIT Kharagpur, photographers are converging on the campus not to document students securing lucrative job offers during placement season, but to capture images of migratory birds. The campus has transformed into an unexpected birding hotspot, drawing enthusiasts from across West Bengal and beyond.
Rare Avian Visitors Take Center Stage
The primary attraction for birdwatchers is a substantial flock of Pale-capped pigeons, also known as Purple wood pigeons, which arrived on campus this January. These birds are classified as vulnerable and are rarely sighted in this region, making their appearance particularly significant for ornithologists and photography enthusiasts alike.
Unprecedented Numbers Draw Crowds
According to Gargi Biswas, a campus resident who first spotted five to six Pale-capped pigeons in January 2021, the population has grown remarkably. "The number increased to 15 the following year," Biswas recounted, "with four to five birds being sighted annually thereafter. This year, however, the count has surged dramatically to over 75 individuals." Biswas has been meticulously recording these avian visitors for six consecutive seasons, providing valuable data on their migration patterns.
Local birder Paresh Das, formerly employed in the Comptroller and Auditor General's office, noted that four pigeons near a water body adjacent to the Nalanda complex have become a particular draw. This specific location has attracted birders from both nearby areas and distant regions, creating a bustling scene of photographic activity on what is typically an academically-focused campus.
Educational Community Embraces Natural Wonder
Over the past week, numerous students and faculty members have made pilgrimages to the site to observe these migratory guests. The students have described discovering flocks of brown and chestnut-colored pigeons displaying a distinctive sheen of green or amethyst in their plumage, creating a visually stunning spectacle against the campus backdrop.
Documenting a Vulnerable Species
Kanad Baidya, a member of the Birdwatchers' Society, highlighted the conservation significance of these sightings. According to the State of India's Birds Report 2023, there is insufficient data on Pale-capped pigeons, making each observation particularly valuable. These birds are listed under high conservation priority as per the Wildlife Protection Act, emphasizing the importance of monitoring their populations and habitats.
The Pale-capped pigeon's typical range includes northeastern India, northern Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The first recorded sighting in this region occurred in 2016 with a solitary bird spotted in Uttarpara-Konnagar, making the current substantial flock at IIT Kharagpur an extraordinary development for regional biodiversity.
Experienced Birders Confirm Rarity
Avijit Das, an Indian Air Force veteran and passionate bird photographer, initially visited Bangriposi with friend Dibyendu Paul before discovering four of these rare pigeons at IIT Kharpur. His documentation adds to the growing body of evidence about these birds' presence in West Bengal.
Sudip Ghosh, who previously popularized Rabindra Sarobar as a birding destination, expressed enthusiasm about seeing a new birding spot emerge. "It's heartening to witness the development of additional locations where people can connect with nature and observe rare species," he remarked, acknowledging the campus's unexpected transformation into a wildlife observation point.
This phenomenon represents a fascinating intersection of academia and natural history, where one of India's premier educational institutions has inadvertently become a sanctuary for vulnerable avian species. The campus now hosts a unique convergence of technological education and ecological wonder, offering both students and visitors an unexpected opportunity to engage with conservation priorities right on their doorstep.
