JUL 01 -
Birds have fascinated human beings with their beauty for ages and have served as inspiration to many a writer. They also feature in religious scriptures and mythology from across the globe. While birds are a regular staple in fairytales, some are referred to as symbols of love, peace and freedom.
Currently, out of the 871 species of birds that inhabit Nepal, 149 are on the verge of extinction. Majority of us are unaware of this fact, and have not seen them feature much in our literature. Literature could be an effective way of spreading awareness and raising sensitivity in the masses and, consequently, in conserving many that are endangered. Keeping this in mind, Himalayan Nature, the publication house for the Himalayan Conservation and Research Institute, has released a children’s story collection, Chara ka Katha, at a programme held at Nepal Tourism Board, Exhibition Road on June 28. The anthology—comprising ten stories composed by children’s literature authors—was released by Shanta Das Manandar and Ram Babu Subedi, senior children’s writers themselves.
Himalayan Nature invited 10 children’s authors in January to be part of a three day trip to Jagdishpur Lake in Kapilbastu which is visited by birds from Siberia, China, Mongolia and mid-Asia. During the tour Dr Hem Sagar Baral, bird specialist and director of Bird Conservation Nepal, had briefed them on various kinds of birds, their eating habits, habitat and behaviour—knowledge acquired only after several years of rigorous observations and research.
“Dr Baral gave us plenty of information on birds found in the area,” shared Krishna Shah Yatri, one of the contributors. “I have written many children’s books, but this time, I was able to weave fact into fiction.”
Chara ka Katha, illustrated by five fine art students, makes a lot of information about birds available through fascinating stories accompanied by attractive illustrations.
The book, edited by Shreeom Shrestha Rodan, is priced at Rs 150
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/07/01/entertainment/birds-of-many-feathers/356436/
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