Kinnaur’s Hidden magic– Public Walks
Early nature walks with school unfolded as shared journeys rather than formal lessons. They provided space to observe, explore, and experience how a deeper connection with nature could grow in Kinnaur, with students actively engaging and discovering alongside.
During one walk along the Baspa River , students used binoculars for the first time. Their excitement, curiosity, laughter, and eagerness to follow fast-moving birds revealed how birding could become a practice that unites children, youth, elders, and visitors offering everyone a fresh perspective on Kinnaur’s landscapes.
This early curiosity gradually evolved into Aum Kinnaur, an initiative that fosters nature education, culture, and conservation.
First Public Bird Walk for Kinnaur
The idea for a community-led bird walk took shape in Brelingi village, a landscape rich in biodiversity and accessible trails.
Under Aum Kinnaur, the first public bird walk was organised in collaboration with:
- Zed.Tells
- Saryan Vigyan Foundation
- Brelingi Youth Club
A simple social media post with a registration form was enough; people didn’t just show interest; they showed up. Students from nearby schools, local youth, and visitors from Kolkata, Kanpur, and Israel participated.
Hosting the walk on Global Big Day, May 2024, aligned Kinnaur with a worldwide citizen-science movement.
Sightings included the Himalayan Bulbul, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Streaked Laughingthrush, and several others. It wasn’t just “bird watching in Kinnaur” it became a way for youth to uncover layers of their own landscape.
Challenges That Turned Into Lessons
Introducing binoculars was challenging because many participants were using them for the first time. Equipment was limited, so everyone shared and waited their turn.
Yet, the effort participants put into adjusting lenses, trying again, and spotting their first bird made the walk feel alive.
The session began with a brief introduction at the village ground: basics of birding, how to walk respectfully, and an orientation to Brelingi’s biodiversity. From there, the walk unfolded naturally.
One consistent reflection from participants was the joy of seeing birds up close, something many had never experienced before. That joy clearly showed the need for more such experiences in Kinnaur.
A Small Effort That Reached Beyond the Village
The walk gained attention beyond expectations:
- Featured in local print media
- Appreciated by the community
- Reached wider audiences through social media
A surprising highlight followed: eBird featured a video and a note from the walk in their Global Big Day article. For a small village-level initiative , this recognition demonstrated that community-led conservation in remote areas can have global significance.
Where the Personal Connection Comes From
Birds have always been part of everyday life taught by parents, elders, and cultural memory. In Kinnaur, birds are seasonal messengers, storytellers, and quiet indicators of changing weather, shifting winds, and turning seasons.
These memories resurfaced during the walks, shaping a deeper understanding that eventually led toward something larger.
Toward the Next Step: The Bird Book Project
The bird walks under Aum Kinnaur did not begin as long-term projects. They emerged from curiosity, collaboration, and the excitement participants felt during their first sightings.
Through these walks and follow-up conversations, a shared desire to create something meaningful emerged naturally:
Kinnaur should have its own Bird Book. Not a heavy scientific document, but a community-rooted, culturally informed record of the birds that live alongside us.
This vision laid the foundation for Kinnaur’s first Bird Book Project, a book that speaks for the land and the wisdom of its community, preserving the rich knowledge it holds. More about this project will be shared in the next blog.
Collaborator Links (Check out their amazing work)
- Zed.Tells: https://www.zedtells.com
- Saryan Vigyan Foundation: https://www.saryanvigyan.org
- Aum Kinnaur: https://www.instagram.com/aum_kinnaur?igsh=MXJwb25lbXd5bDVnbg==
(For media )
About the Author
Mahesh Ronseru is a mountain photographer from Kinnaur who loves light and storytelling.