Regal Blues
<p><em>When most of us think of Indian forests, tigers come to mind. The tiger’s draw is so magnetic that seeing one trumps all other objectives! Protected Areas have consequently become hotspots for visitors who consider their trips successful only if they actually see the striped cat. This is a great pity, because the magic of a forest is the diversity of species, with all lifeforms dependent on one another.</em></p>
<p><strong>Regal Blues</strong></p>
<p>A Himalayan Monal <em>Lophophorus impejanus</em> strikes a regal pose as it surveys its mountain home in the verdant Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand. A handsome pheasant, the bird is found in shrublands above 2,100 m. and is a sight to behold, especially in winters when its striking colours stand out in contrast against a white blanket of snow. With 10 different biogeographic regions, and over 1,300 species of birds, India ranks third in the global eBird list of the greatest number of bird checklists — 1,864,904 recorded. And this number grows as more Indians explore birding as a hobby. So, grab your binoculars and head out on a birdwatching trip right away!</p>
<p><strong>Photo: Ajit Hota/Sanctuary Photolibrary</strong></p>
