The wide scale promotion of bird watching as an educative activity and frequent bird fairs are also making South Rajasthan an emerging bird watching destination. Several species of cranes, pelicans, geese, ducks, etc., are found here. August to November are the ideal visiting months to find resident breeding birds, and October to February for migrant birds.

In Udaipur, beside Pichhola, Fatehsagar and Badi lakes in the city area, wetlands in the outskirts like Madar, Menar, Badwai, KishanKareri, Bhatewar, Mangalwar, Ghasa water bodies attract large number of migratory birds during winters.

"The forest and tourism department has jointly taken the initiative to raise public awareness on the importance of birds. This is the third consecutive year we have successfully organized a fair to inform people about the avian fauna," said Rahul Bhatnagar, chief conservator of forests, wildlife, Udaipur.

"This time enthusiasts sighted varieties like whiskered tern, taiga flycatcher, gadwell, ruddy shelduck, greylag goose, Egyptian vulture, tufted pochard, northern shoveler, shikra and many more," said T Mohanraj, deputy conservator of forests.

In Dungarpur, Sagwara is emerging as a potential breeding colony for painted storks - broad-winged birds falling in the nearly threatened species of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) list. Sizeable colonies of these birds near wetlands and water bodies in and around the district, especially in Sagwara and Galiyakot, Ringwal area have given them their new identity as these birds were recognized as Dungarpur icons in October last year. More than 200 nests of these birds have been seen in Gameshwartalaab while sizeable colonies are reported in areas like Bicchiwada, Dhambola, Karoli, Bhiluda, Bodigama, etc.

"The number of visiting birds is increasing every year in the Wagad belt mainly due to the large number of water bodies in the region," said Kamlesh Sharma, public relation officer at Banswara.

"Abundant food in the aquatic sites and absence of poaching in the pollution-free tribal belt provides the birds safe habitation and large-scale breeding," he added.

Marsh harrier, red shank, bar-headed goose, greater cormorant, grey francolin, egrets, crow pheasants, sandpipers, lapwing, wagtails, pipits, black-tailed gotwit, Indian roller, black ibis, flamingos, black kites, little ringed plover, northern pintail, common cranes too are common varieties seen here in good numbers.

Jawai village in Pali is another haven for birds.

Anil Rodgers, involved in the study of migratory birds in the area, which is some 150km away from Udaipur, reported spotting of demoiselle cranes, common cranes, bar-headed goose, brahmini duck, dalmatian pelicans, gedwal, common pochards, wagtails, snake birds, etc.

"Bird watchers have also taken up a campaign to educate local people to prevent human interference in the wetlands. People are being informed about avian varieties so as to build an emotional connect between them. This could further generate income opportunities for them as large number of visitors coming in the area would seek guidance from these men during bird watching sessions," Rodgers said.