Fair showcasing exotic bird species gets tremendous response

A fair to showcase foreign birds of different species has been the centre of attraction of north Kolkata for the past three days with record footfall.

The fair at Kashi Bose Lane in north Kolkata was inaugurated by Sashi Panja, the state child, women development and social welfare minister, on January 6. Sunday was the last day of the fair and the initiative was taken by Mohan Gupta, Councillor of ward number 17.

After coming to power for the second time, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that there is a need to organise such fairs everywhere to create awareness on environment and love for birds among children and young adults.

In the fair that is being held at Kashi Bose Lane, around 80 different species of birds from countries including Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, Australia, Austria, Malaysia and New Zealand were showcased.

There were 12 different species of macaw including Buffen Macaw, Green Wing Macaw, Blue Gold Macaw and Scarlet Macaw. The 8 different species of Cockatoo including Lid Bitters, Umbrella Cockatoo, King Cockatoo and Tital Cockatoo were also not far behind the Macaws to attract attention of visitors.

But, the most attractive bird in the fair was the rare Black Palm Cockatoo. Despite being covered completely with black feathers and a distinctive red patch on the cheek that changes colour when the Cockatoo receives any sort of alarm or gets excited, it has attracted people of all ages with its powerful beak breaking hard nuts. Another bird that grabbed everyone’s notice was Orange Wing Amazonia which is a bird from the Amazon region.

The Kashi Bose Lane area bore a look like Durga Puja when thousands of people poured into the place to get a glimpse of the Durga idol in a mandap on the same ground where the birds’ fair was organsied.

It may be mentioned that Mala Roy, chairperson of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, organised such bird shows and fair in the city for the first time five years ago at Pratap Aditya Road Park. This year bird shows and fair was organised at different places including Kasba, Bhowanipore and Ghusuri in Howrah.

Unlike other fairs, there were no food stalls in the bird fairs. Thus, thousands of people came to the fairs just to watch the foreign birds. Moreover, according to a bird lover, there are many people in the city, who are staying all alone as their children stay far for the sake of job, taking interest in rearing foreign birds in their houses.