The Birds of Rajasthan

Rajasthan, by virtue of its geographical features and extreme climatic conditions, is home to a wide variety of birds. Compiling all the available information and creating a guide to the birds of Rajasthan is a massive undertaking. The author of THE BIRDS OF RAJASTHAN has enlisted the support of some of the best amateur bird photographers and field ornithologists from Rajasthan, and the rest of the country. The final product is a premium quality book that not only covers the common birds found in the state but also includes rare stragglers which have been reported in the last 50 years. The book will be helpful to ornithologists, amateur birdwatchers, bird photographers, students, and tourists equally. Ecotourism has acquired renewed interest as it helps with the protection of birds and their habitat. It also generates revenue for better management of protected areas and gives employment to the local people. The chapter on ecotourism contains information not only about known and popular places, but also introduces the reader to many lesser-known and unexplored areas of interest to a birdwatcher. Bird ringing is a well-accepted research tool all over the world to gather information on the movement and habitat utilisation by birds during their lifetime. All over the world, ringing is done by licensed ringers, most of whom are amateurs. The data thus generated is helpful to wildlife managers as well as researchers in devising conservation strategies and determining the conservation status of bird species in a given area. The chapter on bird ringing briefly introduces the reader to the basics of the subject. Beginners to birdwatching will find the chapter on field equipment extremely useful. Nature conservation and protection of wildlife are an integral part of Rajasthan's culture, which shows itself in the prevalent faith and traditions of its society. With descriptions of 473 species, illustrated with over 500 photographs, this book will be a useful addition to any library.

Rakesh Vyas is a postgraduate in Zoology and holds a postgraduate diploma in Ecology and Environment. He has been active in the field of avian research and conservation for over three decades and was a member of the State Wildlife Advisory Board, Rajasthan, and Honorary Wildlife Warden in Rajasthan. He has worked with national and international NGOs on environmental awareness, wildlife conservation, and man-animal conflict issues. He has travelled extensively and studied birds in Turkey, Australia, and Bahrain.