In a first, Green Munia to attract visitors to Mount Abu Sanctuary

The Rajasthan Forest department has come up with a unique way to not only intensify its conservation efforts of vulnerable species but also to increase awareness among people about the wildlife of the region. In a first, the department has announced mascot of a lesser known wildlife sanctuary of the state – Mount Abu Sanctuary. 

And the mascot – a green and yellow bird not even five inches long named the Green Avadavat or the Green Munia. This is the first time when a mascot has been announced of a lesser known wilderness area of Rajasthan and the department hopes the move will increase the interest of people in the bird.

Termed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the green Munia locally called Haria – denoting the bird’s green color in Hindi - is rare in the sub-continent, however, can be seen easily in the jungles of Mount Abu.

“The population of this species has seen a steady decline over many years as they have been popular as cage birds and have been in the trade for several decades. Their numbers have decreased primarily due to trappings and it is not known as to if the birds can take the stress of being caged and parceled to far off places. It is usually referred to as green waxbill in the illegal trade and can be trapped using decoys and trap birds,” officials said.

Within the Abu hills, however, there still lies a healthy population of these birds and can be seen easily. “There are panthers, bears and a host of other fauna and flora but the munia was chosen as it is more attractive than other birds. The myriad colors are a feast for the eyes. Also, they are the indicator of the health of the ecosystem and thus the munia was chosen over other animals,” officials said.

Spotted Easily

Within the Abu hills, however, there still lies a healthy population of these birds and can be seen easily. “There are panthers, bears and a host of other fauna and flora but the munia was chosen as it is more attractive than other birds. The myriad colors are a feast for the eyes,” officials said.