Migratory birds throng the Ganges river bank in north Indian holy city

Migratory birds throng the Ganges river bank in north Indian holy city
                                            By Girish Kumar Dubey 

Winter by the banks of the Ganges River in north India's temple town of Varanasi is witness to new sights and sounds apart from its fabled Hindu rituals.

Migratory birds throng the city from the months of November and December, their sounds a distinct presence on the holy river.

These birds thrive in the temperate summers of central Asia's Pamir Mountains and fly down to India to escape the bitter cold winters of the region.

In Varanasi, one of the birds' many wintering spots, locals and tourists alike enjoy the annual migration.

"These birds arrive at the onset of the winter season, and are very attractive. They leave after the winter months. They come and go every year and increase the beauty of the ancient river banks of Varanasi," said Jeet Kumar, a local resident and avid bird watcher.

The birds also bring better earnings for boatmen at the 'ghats' (river banks).

"Tourists come and take boats to the river. They like what they see. Bird feed is sold on the boats, they buy it and feed the birds," said Shambhu, another local resident.

India boasts of a diverse presence of birds with the total number of recorded species exceeding 1300.

80 species are migratory and throng many sites across the country during a winter that is very temperate compared to the harsh cold of their native regions

Intro

Migratory birds swarm the holy city of Varanasi in north India's Uttar Pradesh state, adding to the majestic winter beauty of the Ganges River.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (DECEMBER 13, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. BOATS ON THE BANK OF THE GANGES RIVER

2. GULLS LANDING IN RIVER TO FEED

3. MAN FEEDING GULLS

4. GULLS FEEDING IN RIVER

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) LOCAL RESIDENT, JEET KUMAR, SAYING:

"These birds arrive at the onset of winter and are very attractive. They leave after the winter months. They come and go every year and add more beauty to the ancient river banks of Varanasi."

6. GULLS FLYING AMONG BOATS NEAR RIVER BANK

7. A BOAT MAN ROWING

8. GULLS FLYING OVER THE RIVER

9. GULLS LANDING ON THE WATER

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) LOCAL RESIDENT, SHAMBHU, SAYING:

"Tourists come and take boats to the river. They like what they see. Bird feed is sold on the boats, they buy it and feed the birds."

11. GULLS FROLICKING ON THE RIVER

Original Script Date

Dec 14 08:38 (7 days ago)

Modified Script Date

Dec 14 08:38 (7 days ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Migratory birds throng the Ganges river bank in north Indian holy city.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

DECEMBER 13, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:38