nainital uttarakhand has always been among the favourite destinations of bird enthusiasts as it houses 693 of about 1303 bird species found in india just last month a group of 20 birdwatchers who took part in the great backyard bird count 2022 spotted 201 species of himalayan birds including the very rare red crossbill in the hill statehowever over the last past decade amateur bird watchers and ornithologists have been finding it difficult to spot several species of birds in uttarakhand due to a range of factors including booming real estate in pristine areas deforestation and drying of rivers among others harish lama a naturalist and birdwatcher from sattal nainital told toi with concrete structures coming up on green patches the population density of birds has reduced significantly in the hill state gradual drying of water sources like streams ponds and basins is also affecting birds adversely the primary reasons behind loss of crucial water resources are climate change encroachment and urbanisationneer bankoti a young bird enthusiast from bageshwar blames cutting or pruning of shrubs for a reduction in the population density of birds shrubs provide ideal conditions for nesting and hatching but expanding real estate has led to a loss of habitats for birds said bankotibirders also point out that guest houses made in the hills to encourage avian tourism are actually a cause behind a drop in bird sightings shubham kumar a bird watcher from bharatpur rajasthan said it is an irony that structures built for tourists to enjoy bird watching end up clearing their natural habitats at least reserve forests must not be disturbed to conserve the states rich biodiversitywhen asked about the steps that can be taken to preserve bird species experts say that uttarakhand must protect its grasslands and cultivated lands to remain a preferred destination for avians in fact state residents can also contribute to the cause by planting trees replacing ornamental trees with fruit trees putting up nestling bird boxes in our gardens and other open areas and keeping earthen bowls of water on the terrace for birds meanwhile prakash chandra joshi range officer nainital told toi that the state forest department is digging water holes planting hedges and fruit trees to preserve the natural habitat of birds and other animals he added that several measures are also being taken to prevent forest fires that damage bird nests by jagriti gusain