The Uttarakhand government, with the help of the research wing of the forest department, has opened Uttarakhand’s first bird gallery at the Dehradun Nature Education Centre. This centre is situated in Kothari Colony in Jolly Grant, Dehradun. The bird gallery exhibits high definition images of various bird species that many of you are unfamiliar with. In addition to Bird Gallery, this Nature Education Centre also features a biodiversity gallery, cactus garden, plant nursery and others.
As informed, Uttarakhand is home to around 710 species of birds, which is about 50% of the total number of birds in India. Among these, around 110 HD images of some rare and popular birds are featured in this gallery. Visitors can find detailed information about each bird on its display. Before you step into the gallery, a list of birds with their scientific name is displayed on the gallery wall. The birds displayed in the gallery are categorized in 10 different groups like predators, foraging birds, arboreal, vultures, kingfishers, woodpeckers etc. to help users to identify birds easily.
As you enter the bird gallery, the chirping sound of birds will give you goosebumps. The high quality sound system installed in the gallery gives a realistic feel that birds are chirping right next to you. This immersive sound gives users a different and unique experience that is often found in other galleries. Apart from the birds, visitors will also find 11 different types of birds nests and feathers in the gallery. These nests and feathers are kept in a special glass display frame. These nests have been collected and partially restored by the forest research team.
The main objective of the bird gallery is to attract bird enthusiasts and students, offering them some valuable information and knowledge about these species. Most of these birds are rare and on the verge of extinction and hard to spot these days. Visitors can access this centre throughout the week except Sunday, from 10 AM to 5 PM. Visitors need to buy a ticket from the counter to enter the centre. Schools and colleges can also organize an education tour for their students, where they gain some insightful information about these species under one roof.
Along with the bird gallery, visitors can also explore a biodiversity gallery, interpretation centre, and insectivorous garden. The interpretation centre features varieties of soil taken from various regions of Uttarakhand. It also depicts the lifestyle of villages from a hundred years ago. It also features India's costliest mushroom, Gucchi, mainly found in Kumaun region of Uttarakhand. Additionally, the Himalayan Viagra also popular as Keeda Jadi showcases here. It is probably the most expensive fungus in the world. Due to its medicinal properties China and Tibetan used this for the treatment.
On the other hand, high quality images of various flowers, vegetables and fruits are also showcased here. In its triphala vatika, panch vati vatika, and dashmool vatika visitors can find different species of flowers and fruits. The gallery is located just 31 km away from Dehradun and two km from Jolly Grant airport and is easily connected with the motorable road. Visitors won't face any difficulties while visiting the centre in any season. For more information visitors can also check this video.
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