Buxa Tiger Reserve to install breeding houses for hornbills

Jalpaiguri: Bengal is all set to install artificial breeding grounds for hornbills at Buxa Tiger Reserve. As a pilot project, the forest department will install two hollow wooden houses atop two simul or moyna trees and attract hornbills to use these as breeding centres.
State forest department has taken a cue from Arunachal Pradesh for the project.
“The breeding season for hornbills has already begun. We will install two such houses as a pilot project. If this attracts the birds, we will install more such artificial houses on top of trees in BTR before next year’s breeding season. This has been a mega success in Arunachal Pradesh,” said chief wildlife warden Debal Ray.
Five hornbill species are found in north Bengal. Three of these — great hornbill, wreathed hornbill and rufous-necked hornbill — are listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. The other two species — oriental pied hornbill and Indian grey hornbill — are said to have a healthy population.
The breeding houses for the hornbills will be made of plywood and hexagonal in shape. The house was created by Anirban Ghosh of Nature Mates, a Kolkata-based NGO that works with hornbills. It was showcased at the recently held Buxa Bird Festival.
“If this becomes a success, it will be a great achievement. Placing such houses at Latpanchar is also in the pipeline,” said Animesh Basu, meber of the state wildlife advisory board.