- By Imran Zafar
- Wed, 08 Nov 2023 05:41 PM (IST)
- Source:ANI
Kollukudipatti, a small village in Tamil Nadu’s Tirupathur district has been celebrating Diwali without firecrackers for decades, to protect the migratory birds that visit the nearby Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary located on the Karaikudi-Madurai highway. The bird sanctuary is a natural habitat for winter migratory birds that fly from as far as Switzerland, Russia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. It attracts 15,000 birds every year, belonging to over 200 species.
The villagers have been following this unique tradition ever since they noticed the arrival of birds in their region and have been watching them with admiration and care. They have also been urging the tourists who visit the sanctuary to respect the birds and not disturb them with noise or pollution.
“Birds came to my village when I was ten years old. After that, we watched the birds safely. We do not burst crackers during Diwali. Our kids love to burst crackers, but they don’t burst crackers, keeping the birds in mind,” Ramchandra, a local resident said as quoted by news agency ANI.
Maheswari, another resident, said, “It has been 25 years since I came to this town. We do not celebrate Diwali for these birds. The arrival of birds has decreased due to less rainfall this year. Due to this, the tourists who come here return disappointed, not being able to see the birds.”
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She also said that the forest department should provide basic facilities for the tourists and prevent the monkeys from breaking the birds’ eggs, which has also affected the bird population, reported ANI.
The villagers’ gesture of kindness and compassion towards the wildlife has set a remarkable example for others to follow. The act of kindness by the villagers highlights how we can celebrate our festivals eco-friendly and care for nature.
(With ANI Inputs)
