Orissa Review * April - 2005

Blue Jay : The State of Orissa

Dr. Prafulla Kumar Mohanty

Wildlife and Forest of Orissa Protected Areas for Wildlife in Orissa Forest is the lung or respiratory center Realizing the gradual depletion of of environment and cockpit of wildlife. Forest wildlife, the government has set up certain plays a pivotal role in maintaining ecological protected areas, sanctuaries, national parks, stability. It provides protection and reduces zoological gardens and safety environment for impact of natural calamities like drought, flood their better survival and growth. The important and cyclone. However, one of the significant protected areas are as follows. Similipal contributions of the forest is the nucleus of the National Park, which is one of the Project Tiger natural faunal diversity. Orissa with its areas, has been notified as a Biosphere Reserve diversified topography and climate, has been by the Government of India. It covers an area the abode of varieties of wildlife species. But of 2,750 sq km with a core area of 845.7 sq due to inadequate protection measures and km. The Bhitarakanika Wildlife Sanctuary and dwindling forest cover with various the Bhitarakanika National Park are spread anthropogenic activities, there has been a rapid over an area of 672 sq km and 145 sq km decline in the wildlife population in Orissa. In respectively. The Gahirmatha Marine order to protect and preserve these natural bio- Sanctuary is covering an area of 15.58 sq km. diversity; sanctuaries, parks and bio-sphere It is an ideal ground for migratory and reserve have been created (Table-I). In fact, also for the endangered Irrawady dolphins. Orissa is proud of having Royal Bengal tiger, elephant, salt water crocodile , migratory and Chandaka-Dampara Sanctuary with resident birds, olive ridley turtle, dolphin, 175.79 sq km of area was set up in 1982 to black buck, mugger, gharial and others. Orissa protect and conserve elephants and their is unique for its Gahiramatha Marine Sanctuary habitation. The Nandankanan Zoological Park, which is the largest nesting ground for olive one of the premier zoological parks of the ridley turtles in the world. Another unique country was established in 1960. The park feature of this state is the Similipal Biosphere spreads over an erea of 14.1689 sq km and Reserve which is very famous for the habitat has the distinction of being the first zoo in the of Royal Bengal tigers. Orissa, in fact, enjoys world for captive breeding of white tigers out various faunal diversity in the country including of normal coloured parents as well as for first white tigers. ever, captive breeding of gharial crocodile

86 Orissa Review * April - 2005 since 1980. A white tiger safari and a lion shining bands in flight. Blue jay prefers open safari are the added attraction of this zoo. cultivated green country and avoids dense State Flora and Fauna : The Pride of Orissa forests. It is normally seen perched on an exposed tree-stump or telegraph wire. From India is proud of having the National such posts, it swoops down on the ground now Flag, (the Tricolour), the National (Royal Bengal Tiger), the National Bird and then, and again to pick up its food in life (Peacock) and the National Flower (Lotus). form. It prefers to take insects like crickets, Similarly, State like Orisa has given beetles, grasshoppers and various pests. It also importance and weightage to certain plants and prefers to eat large vertebrates such as frogs, (Flora and Fauna) by realizing their mice, lizards and rats. importance. The State tree is the majestic Blue jay is very unique in its flight style. "Aswattha" (Ficus religiosa, Linn.) which has It has a variety of loud raucous calls and is a special place in the religious tradition of particularly noisy and demonstrative during its India. The State flower is "Asoka"[Saraca aerial courtship display. During courtship the asoca (Roxb.) Dewilde]. The State animal is male exhibits a series of attractive aerobatics the large deer found in the State, the "Sambar" (Cervus unicolor, Kerr.). The interesting part like circus. Blue jays or rollers get their name is the "State Bird" which is "Blue Jay" from the magnificent tumbling and rolling ( benghalensis, Linn.) commonly flight. They rocket into the air, somersaulting, called "Bhadabhadalia" in Oriya, which is rolling from side to side to the accompaniment supposed to be an auspicious bird. Because of of horsh grating screams and nose-diving with their spectacular contribution, State has his brilliant plumage flashing in the sun. The recognized, identified and placed them in a rollers' acrobatic skill is also shown when they proper position. chase other birds that come near their nests. Blue Jay : The State Bird Blue jay builds its nest in hallow trunk The blue jay is commonly known as tree. It collect sticks, straws, feathers and Roller under the family Coraciidae. India is rubbish and put in tree hollows for building famous for a single type of blue jay which is the nest. The female lay eggs which may be popularly called " Bird". In Hindi four to five in number. Eggs are white, roundish its popular name is "Nilkanth" or "Sabzak". oval and glossy to handle. After hatching of This is an attractive Oxford-and-Cambridge eggs youngs come out, spend few days inside blue bird about the size of a pigeon. They are the nest, finally come out and lead independent believed to be near relatives of bee-eaters and life. They are usually solitary in nature. It is . They are strongly-built and jay- called Nilkanth because of the brilliant blue like. They are characterized by a big head, colour of its body. It is taken to be an auspicious heavy bill, rufous brown breast, pale blue bird by the people of Orissa. During abdomen and blunt tail. "Dusshera" [Durgapuja] bird catchers catch The tail is square. The dark and pale blue these birds and show them to the people in colours in the wings show up as brilliant various parts of the state.

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Blue Jay and its Significance 2. Bhitarkanika Sanctuary 672 Python, King cobra Blue jay is considered as the "State Bird" of Orissa because of its brilliant colour, 3. Bhitarkanika National Park 145 Bird, Crocodile attractive rolling behaviour and strong 4. Chilika Nalaban Sanctuary Migratory birds auspicious belief of Orissan people, but [1987] 15.58 Dolphin unfortunately many students and people are 5. Chandaka - Dampara Elephant, Sambar ignorant about this. It may be kept in Regional Sanctuary [1982] 175.79 and Deer Science Center, Bhubaneswar and other 6. Nandankanan Zoological White tiger, Science Centers like Dhenkanal to which Park [1960] 14.1689 and Crocodiles students and others visit. Display with 7. Gahiramatha Marine Olive Ridley description of this bird would educate people. Sanctuary 1435 Turtle No doubt, an eco-tourism scheme has been introduced in Orissa since 1995-96 to provide References : transport and accommodation facilities for 1. Ali, S. and Futehally, L. [1992] Common Birds, tourists in sanctuaries and national parks. Of National Book Trust , India, New Delhi, pp. 81-82. course, in the first phase Similipal, Chilika, 2. Anonymous [1984] Souvenir of 5th All India Bhitarkanika and Nandankanan have been Congress of Cytology and Genetics. Departments selected to maintain and keep some Blue Jays of Zoology and Botany, Utkal University, and Sambars to apprise people about the "State Bhubaneswar, 7-10 October, 1984 (Inner cover page). Bird" and "State Animal". 3. Anonymous (2003) Ecnomic Survey. Directorate Since the Environment wing of the of Economics and Statistics, Planning and Forest and Environment Department, Coordination Department, Government of Orissa. Government of Orissa has an objective to 4. Burton , M and Burton, R. [1990] The Marshall promote research, education and training on Cavendish Intemational, Vol. 18. Marshall environmental conservation and protection, the Cavendish Corporation, New York, pp. 2112. government may take an initiative to propagate 5. Goetz, P.W. [1991] [Editor-in-Chief] The New the message about the state flora and fauna. Encyclopedia Britannica. 15th Edition, Vol.10 This would generate consciousness on our state [Micropaedia Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., bird and state animal. However, blue jay as Chicago, pp.146. the "State Bird" is justified and we all should 6. Goetz, P.W.. (1991) (Editor-in-Chief) The New try to observe this bird in nature to know its Encyclopaedia Britannica. 15th Edition, behaviour and feature. Thanks to our biologists Vol.15(Macropaedia).Eneyclopaedia Britannica and scientists to consider such a bird as the Inc., Chicago, pp.85. State Bird of Orissa. 7. Mohanty, P.K. (2001) (Bell Catharine E.- Editor) Encyclopaedia of the World's Zoos, Vol.I, A-F . Table 1 : Important Protected areas of Fitzrory Dearborn Publishers, Chicago, London, animals in Orissa . pp. 452-455. Sl. Name of the area Area speciality for No. (Sq Km) specific faunal distribution Dr. Prafulla Kumar Mohanty is the Faculty of P.G. 1. Similipal Biosphere Department of Zoology, Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Reserve 2,750 Tiger Bhubaneswar-751004

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