Students of various schools had a field day at Atapaka Bird Sanctuary located on the borders of Krishna and West Godavari districts on Monday.
Managements of many institutions arranged the visit to the sanctuary as part of their education tour. They visited the Environment Education Centre set up at Kolleru bund in the village.
Children who enjoyed the boat ride in Kolleru Lake had a glimpse of Pelicans, Painted Storks and other birds which arrived from different places. The teachers explained the students about the winged visitors.
A couple of foreigners, who came to the site, interacted with the children. Students from Gudivada, Mudinepalli, Bhimavaram, Akiveedu and other towns visited the birds’ sanctuary.
“This is the first time I am visiting Atapaka Bird Sanctuary. It is a great experience and I enjoyed the tour,” said a student from Gudivada.
“Pelicans are very big in size. We saw the birds from a close range while boating. Some birds are brooding nests while some have chicks,” said another student K. Srilekha.
A parent, B. Chakradhar Rao said the Environment Education Centre was very informative.
Such tours were essential for children. Teachers should explain the students about the need to protect water bodies and bird habitats which were part of ecology, he said. Kaikalur Forest Range Officer A. Sunil Kumar said there has been a heavy rush to Atapaka Bird Sanctuary for the last few days due to festival vacation.
Tourists from foreign countries, neighbouring States and bird lovers were visiting the place.
“We arranged sufficient number of boats for the convenience of tourists. Drinking water, toilets and a park for children are arranged at the sanctuary,” said the officer.
