Khichan
Khichan | |
---|---|
village | |
![]() ![]() Khichan Location in Rajasthan, India | |
Coordinates: 27°08′06″N 72°24′54″E / 27.135°N 72.415°ECoordinates: 27°08′06″N 72°24′54″E / 27.135°N 72.415°E | |
Country |
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State | Rajasthan |
District | Jodhpur |
Tehsil | Phalodi |
Government | |
• Khichan | the Demoiselle Crane village |
Elevation | 219 m (719 ft) |
Population (2001) | |
• Total | 6,384 |
Languages | |
• Official | Hindi |
Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
Khichan is a village in the Jodhpur district of the Indian state of Rajasthan that in recent years has established a tradition of feeding wild birds, including Demoiselle Cranes that winter here every year. Up to 3,000 kilograms (6,600 lb) of bird seed are consumed every day by the feeding birds.[1] Khichan village now hosts over 20,000 Demoiselle Cranes from as early as August each year to as late as March of the following year. The village, which has become popular among bird watchers, achieved international recognition when it was featured in Birding World magazine in an article titled, “Khichan - the Demoiselle Crane village."[2]
Access
Khichan the desert village in Phalodi tehsil is 150 km west of Jodhpur city. The nearest town is Phalodi, which is 3.4 km away.[3] Phalodi is a railway station on the Broad Gauge line and connects all important towns in Rajasthan. Phalodi Railway station lies on the Broad Gauge line of the Delhi- Jaisalmer and Bikaner - Jaisalmer train route. There are three trains from Jodhpur and three from Jaisalmer. A direct train also runs from Delhi. Jodhpur is the nearest airport and from there the village is well connected by road (139 km). Bikaner(156 km. towards north), Nagaur (145 km in east) and Jaisalmer (165 km in west) are also connected to the village. The Pakistan Border is about 100 km away. National Highway No.15 skirts towards Phalodi.
Pandit Ratna Param Pujya Shree Prakashchandji (Prakash muniji) Maharaj Saheb belonging to the Sthanakvasi sect of Jainism is born in this village. He is Gucchadhipati of Gyan Gutch, one of the sampradays of Sthanakvasi sect. Also, Charitra Chudamani Madhur Vyakhyani 1008 Param Pujya Shree Uttamchandji (Uttam muniji) Maharaj Saheb belonging to the Sthanakvasi sect of Jainism is born in this village. He is Gucchadhipati of Samrath Gutch, another sampraday of Sthanakvasi sect.
Flocks of the Demoiselle Cranes
Some years ago, a section of local people of Khichan (Mainly: Late Prithvirajji Malu, Late Kishan Lalji Malu, Late Ganeshmalji Malu and Late Ratan Lalji Malu) led by a bird lover belonging to the community of the Marwaris of the village started offering grains to birds every morning. This attracted a large number of Demoiselle Cranes (Anthropoides virgo), locally called ‘kurjas’, to the town.[1] These are found in 47 countries and are the smallest and the second most abundant of the world’s crane species. The breeding grounds of these birds are reported to be from the plains and steppes of Eurasia and Mongolia. During migration, which is long and arduous (many are reported to perish due to hunger, fatigue and attack by predators), the cranes fly with their head and neck straight and their feet and legs straight behind them and attain heights of 4,875-7,925 m (16,000-26,000 ft). They weigh about 2–3 kg with a height of 89 cm and wing width of 155 –180 cm. Essentially grassland birds, the cranes have plain bluish gray plumage and are omnivores. They mainly feed on plant materials, insects, peanuts, beans and other cereal grains, and small animals.[4] But the villagers in this Thar Desert town adore them for their apparent vegetarian eating habits and for the practice of monogamy.[1] What started initially as a few dozen visiting birds has now become a major migration with over 9000 cranes visiting the village year after year, during the period of August to March, and the number is reported to be increasing. This is attributed to the organised and natural feeding done by the village community, twice a day during the birds entire sojourn to the town in the months of August to March, with November to February being the peak season.[5]
Daily routine of Khichan cranes
The Cranes fly into specially created rectangular enclosures of 50x60m, at the edge of the village, called locally as chugga ghars, where they have a breakfast session which lasts for about 90 minutes. They are fed in groups, one after the other. Their flights, in the setting of the conventional mansions (some of them are heritage buildings being converted to tourist lodges) of the village, present brilliant photo-ops for the large number of tourists who flock to the village for bird watching. After feeding, the Cranes, in large congregations, are seen at some of the water bodies (ponds) and sand dunes to the north of Khichan. Peacocks are the other dominant birds seen around the Cranes.
The Cranes fly in different directions in small family flocks, in a disciplined order led by the female, followed closely by two young ones with the male forming the rear guard. Again, during mid day, they assemble for a drink, followed by an occasional bath, and a second feed. Acrobatic exhibition of mutual affection between couples is also seen. They roost in far away agriculture fields and return to the same water bodies next day, early in the morning.[6][7] As per the report of the International Crane Foundation:[4]
All cranes engage in dancing, which includes various behaviors such as bowing, jumping, running, stick or grass tossing, and wing flapping. Dancing can occur at any age and is commonly associated with courtship, however, it is generally believed to be a normal part of motor development for cranes and can serve to thwart aggression, relieve tension, and strengthen the pair bond.
Support community
Currently, Pakshi Chuggha Ghar, C/o A. B. Khichan Jain Shree Sangh, Khichan, is managing for the daily feed of these birds and are accepting monetary donations for it. Previously, monetary donations from local people and visitors were managed by Kuraj Samrakshan Vikas Sansthan, Pakshi Chuggha Ghar,Khichan a society established in Khichan for crane protection and care.[5] Marwar Crane Foundation (MCF) has also been set up recently, thus recognising and fully supporting the initial efforts of the villager of their community whose actions of feeding cranes has brought national and international recognition to this village for bird watching.[7] Government of Rajasthan has now recognised this place as tourist site.
International recognition
A director of the International Crane Foundation has visited Khichan.[5] This foundation is also supporting the efforts of Marwar Crane Foundation in feeding the cranes.[8]
See also
- Phalodi
- Demoiselle Crane
- International Crane Foundation
- Dhani and villages
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/19/stories/2008101960920100.htm Desert turns birds’ paradise
- ↑ http://www.eurobirding.com/birdingmagazines/artinfo.php?id=234 Birding Magazine Volume 14, no. 3, 2001
- ↑ http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/24/Khichan.html
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.savingcranes.org/demoisellacrane.htmlDemoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://www.orientalbirdclub.org/publications/bullfeats/demois.html The Demoiselle Cranes of Khichan
- ↑ http://www.lalniwas.com/cranes.html Demoiselle Cranes - The Royalty of Khichan
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 http://www.indianbirding.org/khichan-birding.htm Khichan
- ↑ http://www.flickr.com/photos/gurbirsinghbrar/2879773519/ Demoiselle Cranes