Guwahati, Jan 2: Meghalaya, rich with flora and fauna is home to several unique bird species and has the potential to become the avian hub of north-east, with the development of infrastructure and trails for bird-watchers and avian enthusiasts.
During the past three days, three avid birders—Gaurav Kataria, Arpit Deomurari, and Steve—explored Meghalaya, discovering nearly 120 bird species, including two unique ones endemic to the East Khasi Hills, over a two-day period.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, they emphasized the immense potential for avi-tourism in Meghalaya and urged the state government to strategically develop the necessary infrastructure.
Kataria expressed that promoting bird tourism could be a lucrative venture, serving as motivation for niche tourism. He highlighted that bird-watching trips, although costly, attract enthusiasts willing to pay, ensuring the state could earn as much from a ten-membered bird-watching trip as it does from a hundred ordinary tourists.