Unlike its previous editions, the Udaipur Bird Festival scheduled in December this year, will be a grander affair with novel activities. For the first time, organizers have introduced a 'Bird Race' in the festival, which would be a data gathering game about birds.
A couple of days ago, the forest department officials and bird lovers met in Udaipur to chalk out a plan and execute preparations for the four-day bird festival, slated to begin December 22.
The meeting gave in-principle approval to hold the 'bird race' competition on the first day of the festival. According to sources, the various teams with their leaders will navigate a 40-km radius of the Van Bhawan in search for birds. The teams will scan, compile a list of every bird they spot and later submit a report on it. The team with maximum information will be declared winner. Notably, over 125 migratory birds land in the lake city, and this initiative could also help in cataloging them.
The administration, along with forest department officials, are also planning to make the bird festival a bigger event that its previous renditions. With the dates being finalised this early, organisers hope they will also attract international bird lovers this time around. In the same meeting, plans were also approved to increase the participation of women in photo workshops.
"A brochure detailing the entire plan is now being created. The organising team will contact noted participants in various bird festivals across the country and confirm their participation. Schools will be contacted to ensure participation of students during the bird festival," one of the organisers said.
The pollution-free atmosphere in the Mewar-Wagad belt is an annual attraction for birds from across the seven seas, and the previous three editions of the festival have helped bridge the gap between migratory birds and bird lovers.
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-now-bird-race-at-udaipur-festival-2553940