Kokkare Bellur is about 85 kms from Bengaluru city. This 300 year old village is situated in Maddur taluk of Mandya district. The uniqueness of Kokkare Bellur lies in the long-established bond between the migratory birds and the villagers.
This symbiotic co-existence between villagers and the birds goes back to the centuries.
Viewed as harbingers of good fortune, these birds are welcomed by villagers each season as they set up nests on the tree canopies of Ficus, Tamarind and Acacia.
Birds also live happily like family members of the villagers right at the center of civilization. They all perch atop trees within the village.
Villagers treat these feathered beauties are like “Daughters of the village”
who are residing in far flung parts of the world and visit their mother’s place for giving birth to young ones.
It is in their culture to care and protect these birds that nest in their backyards. Their children are sensitized to carry this tradition unabated.
It is said that an outbreak of plague forced the villagers to move away from their village to a new location. It is believed that the birds followed the villagers to the new settlement and the symbiotic relationship continues to date.
These birds normally start to arrive during later part of September and after the end of monsoon season.
First to arrive are the Spot-billed pelicans and start to build their nests.
October & November are egg laying period, thereafter fledge around for three months after laying of eggs till March and tirelessly feed their hatchlings through the summer season.
As summer peaks in May, they re-migrate back to their home country.
Painted Stork arrive during January & February and re-migrate back with their young ones by around June & July.
Both Pelican & Painted Stork sometimes make nest on common trees.
It is nice to see our Forest Department have make elaborate arrangements to take care of accidentally fallen chicks from trees. These young birds are taken good care and are feed with their favourite food which is fish. These birds are taken care until the time they are able to fly and join back their flock.
Also, there is good facility to take care of sick birds along with veterinary doctor.
Don’t miss to visit Nature Interpretation Center of Tourism Department at Kokkare Bellur. You can experience journey through time of Kokkare Bellur and little bit more about Symbiotic sustenance.
There are also other attractions in this village like,
• Children school built in the shape of Bus and train bogie,
• Shiva Temple,
• Pottery making and
• the beautiful Shimsha river flows between the village.
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In the next episode, I will be covering one more unbelievable desination near Bengaluru where you can not only enjoy beautiful nature but also get to see protected Black Buck.
Until then, take care and bye.
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Google Map Location:
Kokkare Bellur: goo.gl/maps/RmMcMxQA9ADUbA779
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Sound effects obtained from www.zapsplat.com
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