Chhattisgarh Forests Become Hornbill Havens

In Chhattisgarh, the Forest Department is actively establishing six 'hornbill restaurants' within the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve. These areas are designed to provide a permanent food source for the Malabar Pied Hornbill, a species increasingly sighted in the reserve since 2017. The initiative involves developing natural clusters of fruit-bearing trees, such as peepal and banyan species, to ensure year-round food availability.

The 'hornbill restaurants' are not artificial structures but rather enhanced natural habitats focusing on the bird's primary diet. This conservation strategy is crucial for supporting the Malabar Pied Hornbill population, which is listed as 'Near Threatened' by the IUCN in 2024. The project also aims to facilitate natural forest expansion and create nesting sites for the birds.

Beyond feeding grounds, trees will be planted near villages to provide viewing opportunities for visitors and boost eco-tourism. This initiative follows a successful pilot in the Sornammal area, where similar trees were planted. Forest authorities are also intensifying anti-poaching efforts, having arrested over 500 individuals in the past three years, and are using drones for monitoring.