Andhra Pradesh The Sunshine State lags in birding

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced 'Mission Harita Andhra Pradesh' as part of which chief Minister set a targ...

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced 'Mission Harita Andhra Pradesh' as part of which chief Minister set a target of doubling the green cover in about a decade. Mr.Naidu declared in the last June that it would be increased from 23% to 50% by 2029. CM emphasized the importance of eco-tourism and conservation of biodiversity wherever possible. The state is well known for its rich variety in the avian population. Birds are known to be big eco-tourism attractions. The state has several waterfowl repositories and is an important station in the Central Waterfowl Flyway. 

About 250 breed have been listed by birdwatchers of Andhra, which is in the 12th position in association. But it is still behind the Harayana (7th), Gujarat (8th) and Delhi (9th) where only 175 varietys have been recorded. Andhra Pradesh has been ranked above Telangana (30th) in association, as per the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). The Sponsors of GBBC have always been complaining that participation from A.P. is relatively less. Lack of active birdwatchers societies is being citied as the major reason. The state Kerala is the first place with 212 attenders notifying nearly 3,000 bird lists, and followed by Tamil Nadu (2nd) and Karnataka (3rd).