NATURE CAMP OKHLA

A Visit to Nature Camp at Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Noida was organized by Department of Applied Science DGI, Greater Noida on 4th March 2016. Ms. Priyanka Upadhyay and Mr. Prassan Sharma both Asst. Prof., Department of Applied Science along with 45 First Year students visited the Sanctuary.

The visit was aimed at making the students aware with the diversity of wildlife.

Okhla Bird Sanctuary is situated at the entrance of Noida in Gautam Budh Nagar and spread over 4 square Kilometers. There are more than 188 species of plants and 320 species of birds recorded. Out of these, there are 20 common resident water species of birds, 44 common resident woodland species and 43 migratory water birds. This predominately wetland reserve (established in 1990) is an Important Bird Area (IBA), managed by the Forest Department. The sanctuary is popular with joggers and photographers.

Mr. T.K Roy, Ecologist, was the trip guide. Mr. Roy said that the sanctuary basically consists of a large lake formed due to the barrage on the Yamuna River constructed in the early 1960s. There is one main (drivable) track that follows the eastern border of the park, which is approximately 3km long and links two checkpoints.

Mr. Roy also gave some important tips to the students to make the visit a learning experience. He guided the students to carry a camera, a binocular and a field guide book to identify the birds and to wear dull colored clothes during the visit, as bright colored clothing make human presence noticeable by birds and tend to scare them away.

The students also enjoyed watching the migratory birds very closely with the help of binocular. They spent about 3 hours in the Bird Sanctuary. It was a learning experience for the students as it has provided them a deeper insight for nature and wild life. They also explored a diversity of habitats for birds and other wildlife.