The environment and forests department, in a first-of-its-kind move, is coming up with a book on birds of Bihar.

The government has also requested birdwatchers and ornithologists to contribute photographs of the birds for the book. B.A. Khan, the additional principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden, told The Telegraph on Sunday that the department had received photographs from around 30 ornithologists. “The motive behind this book is to increase awareness and document the species of birds found in Bihar. According to our estimate, there are around 200 bird species found in the state. Following a review of the photographs received, we will put those in the book that is expected to be published within one-and-a-half month,” said Khan.

A few of the prominent resident bird species of Bihar include Lesser Whistling Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Open Bill Stork, Painted Stork and Greater Adjutant among others.

Navin Kumar, a member of the Indian Bird Conservation Network, claimed that Greater Adjutant is found only at a few places in the world — Cambodia, Assam and Bihar.

Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Coot, Northern Shoveler, Red Crested Pochard and Eurasian Wigeon are few of the prominent migratory species that come near the waterbodies, normally during winter.

“The climate of Bihar with a large number of water bodies, including wetlands, provide favourable habitat for birds. Though the condition of wetlands in the state is deteriorating but few of them, which are still favoured by migratory as well as resident birds are Giddhi lake, Pawapuri lake and Pansokha lake — all in Nalanda district,” said Navin, who had come up with a booklet, Birds of Bihar, in 2011. “I have documented around 130 bird species in the state and I am glad that the state government is also taking some steps in this regard,” said Navin.

However, a few others have serious reservations against the project also. “It is surprising to me that the forest department has come up with this book. According to my knowledge, the department had been floating tenders for conducting the study for documenting bird species but for reason not known to me they could never succeed. Now, they are seeking help from outsiders (the ornithologists or bird watchers) to do the same. The department never consulted any ornithologist regarding the format of the book or how it would come up and now they are offering Rs 1,000 per selected photograph, as if we would starve without their money,” said a noted local birdwatcher, requesting anonymity.