In ‘VIP Colony’, Avian visitors are also special!

By PRABEER SIKDAR

DEHRADUN, 14 May 2009: Although ‘VIP Colony’ residents (21 EC Road) have long been agitating for construction of a 100 metre approach road, this has not in the least affected the arrival of the winged visitors to this colony.

As one enters the Colony, one unmistakably gets to see food and water bowls for visiting birds on the boundary walls of half-a-dozen houses here. And this is not just a one-off instance as some people (this colony is home to many retired government employees) have been religiously doing it for many years.

The remnants of the original Litchi garden are still visible in some of the homes, here, as one can see at least one litchi tree in most of them. Being spacious, most homes also maintain their gardens, where fruit bearing trees like guava, plum, mango, etc., easily attract various kinds of birds round the year.

“I feel elated feeding the birds,” says Promila Shukla, a retired lecturer of IDPL Inter College, Rishikesh, whose home is in VIP Colony.

Interestingly, the Shuklas, whose children are based in Delhi, have been feeding the avian visitors for 20 years! “This is a family tradition for us, which was started by my father-in-law, the late RD Shukla,” she adds, pointing out that at specific times of the day, their household is visited by winged friends. “While sparrows throng our area in the early morn, parrots prefer to visit anytime between 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.,” she says.

Among the birds giving their roll call here are common house sparrows, domestic as well as wild pigeons, parrots and other more exotic small birds.

RL Shukla, 63, husband of Promila, after his retirement from IDPL, has become a keen bird watcher. “After being hit with paralysis in 2000, I could hardly move the right side of my body, but my wife has nurtured me back,” he discloses.

Shukla, now not only helps his wife in doing household chores, but also, sometimes, is entrusted with the task of keeping the bird feed in food bowls. “We feed Bajra to the birds, as it is easy to carry,” admits Shukla, pointing out that a kilo of bajra (costs only Rs 10-12) lasts for 15-20 days.

Apart from bird feed, the avian members also get to enjoy seasonal fruits like mango, litchi, papaya, guava, plum (soon to ripen in 15 days) etc., growing in most gardens here. “The abundance of flowers is also a source of attraction,” she acknowledges.

Bird watching Benefits

According to Shukla, seeing the same birds come to their place everyday and eating to their hearts fill, provides them a unique, indescribable joy. “With nothing to do after retirement, looking after our garden and birds, has become our favourite daily pastime,” reveals Promila, who is originally from Sirmaur District (near Shimla).

“Unlike humans, birds are truly free,” she says on a philosophical note.

SMS campaign

Meanwhile, Eco Friends, a group of youngsters working to create awareness about green issues, has started an SMS campaign for birds. The SMS reads: Many birds die in summer without water. Save them. Plz put out water pots for thirsty birds on balcony/window, etc. Fwd this msg to at least 5 people. God will help u.

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