Kurseong, Dec. 31: An exhibition featuring bird paintings is set to be held at Gorkha Library Auditorium here on January 6 and 7.

The initiative of Kathmandu-based ornithologist and painter Rajen Pradhan is a first-of-its-kind exhibition on Himalayan birds. The paintings promise to make everybody aware about the presence of the different types of avian species in the region.

“As far as my observation is concerned, very few people are aware of the different types of birds found in the region and the need to protect them. The forest department has not taken much interest but some individual efforts like that of Raja Banerjee’s (of Makaibari tea estate) must be lauded. Nari Shib Samiti, a local organisation, is helping me organise the exhibition,” Pradhan told The Telegraph today.

Paintings of the giant hornbill, sunbird, kingfisher and Sultan Tit are among the many that will be put up in the exhibition. “I do not capture birds with a camera. Instead, I click their image in my brain and later bring it back on canvas,” said Pradhan.

Around 150 paintings will be put up in the exhibition with the message “save the bird life and natural habitat”.