Threatened Birds of Shola Sky Islands
National Geographic Explorer Niharika Rajput,in collaboration with Kodaikanal International School Center for Environment and Humanity embarked on an impactful art and education initiative centred around native birds and their vanishing habitats. This multifaceted project harnessed the synergies of art, education, engineering, and storytelling to raise environmental awareness in the Palani Hills region of South India, with a particular emphasis on 12 bird species predominantly found within the Shola Sky Island ecosystem. Nestled atop the high-altitude mountain peaks of the Western Ghats, the Shola Sky Islands harbour a distinct and biodiverse forest-grassland environment. Extensive research has revealed that these landscapes, encompassing the Western Ghats and Palani Hills, are rapidly undergoing transformations due to human encroachments, the proliferation of invasive species, and the ever-present spectre of climate change. With grasslands diminishing and woodlands on the rise, the natural habitats are in flux, putting endemic populations at risk and contributing to heightened disease prevalence among birds and other wildlife in human-affected areas.
Permanent motion sensor triggered exhibit on Shola birds
In response, this visionary project was conceived to bring ecological and environmental awareness to the forefront of public consciousness. It achieved this through an immersive exhibition created by Niharika featuring bird sculptures and songs, coupled with a captivating animation video titled “Endangered,” which eloquently narrates the evolving landscapes of the Palani Hills. Beyond these creative endeavours, the project extended its reach to include wildlife art workshops tailored for schoolchildren in Kodaikanal. By integrating themes of biodiversity and conservation into real-world scenarios, this initiative aimed to bridge gaps in mainstream education. Students were offered an enriching interdisciplinary workshop experience encompassing art, science, and hands-on conservation fieldwork. Ultimately, the project’s overarching mission was to employ art and experiential learning, with a special focus on avian life, as a catalyst to inspire both the younger generation and adults alike to take proactive measures in safeguarding and preserving our invaluable ecosystems.
This project comprised three distinct components: bird sculptures showcased in an exhibition, a motion interactive exhibit, and an animated movie. Notably, the exhibition featured a remarkable collection of 12 meticulously handcrafted bird sculptures, a creation of Niharika, which now stands as a permanent exhibit. These avian sculptures are replicas of endemic birds inhabiting the tropical montane forests and grasslands of the Western Ghats in India, who are becoming victims of anthropogenic activities and climate change and are on the brink of extinction. The project’s overarching objective was to foster awareness and appreciation of these exquisite birds within the local community while simultaneously advocating for the preservation of their natural habitats.
Carefully handcrafted paper sculptures of Shola birds.
The permanent exhibition has been installed at the KIS Center for Environment and Humanity, situated on Upper Shola Road in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, with the noble intention of contributing to the conservation efforts for these avian treasures. Below are the photos of 12 birds from the exhibit.
Phases of the Project
Phase 1: Planning
The team convened for a comprehensive meeting focused on the implementation of the display cabinet for the permanent exhibition. During the gathering, they engaged in various discussions aimed at ensuring the project’s success. Firstly, we consulted with avian experts from IISER Tirupati and Centre for Environment and Humanity to gather valuable insights. Niharika and her team got an opportunity to see some of the Shola birds up close as they were being banded by Researchers. An extensive repository of photos , videos & morphometrics was created before the building process commenced. Bird calls were borrowed from a team at IISER Tirupati who had recorded the calls through bioacoustics. Niharika’s team deliberated on the selection of an appropriate room for the exhibition, taking into consideration factors such as space and accessibility. Lastly, in their pursuit of excellence, the team reached out to a construction contractor to bring their envisioned display cabinet to life, providing them with the necessary design specifications. This multifaceted approach demonstrated the team’s commitment to ensuring a successful and captivating permanent exhibition.
Phase 2: Design
The meticulous planning and execution of the exhibition’s setup began with the measurement and mapping of the selected room. Once the room’s dimensions were accurately recorded, a digital layout of the plan was prepared to optimize the exhibition space.Simultaneously, the design process for the exhibition cabinet was carried out digitally, with Arnab Kumar Das taking the reins of this creative endeavour. Arnab’s designs were a crucial element in the project and served as the blueprint for the construction phase. These detailed designs were subsequently passed on to the capable hands of the construction contractor, who undertook the task of bringing the envisioned cabinet to life.
Phase 3: Prototyping
The exhibition showcases a stunning collection of 12 meticulously crafted paper birds, each a testament to the skilful artistry behind their creation. While these avian representations maintain a static appearance, Arnab introduced an ingenious touch to infuse vitality and interactivity into the display. He incorporated motion sensor-triggered sound systems that authentically replicate the natural calls of these birds, creating a truly immersive experience for visitors. These motion sensors come to life when a visitor stands in front of them, playing the corresponding bird calls, adding a dynamic layer to the exhibit. The interactivity is further enriched by the fact that the sound playback ceases when no motion or person is detected in front of each bird, ensuring that each visitor enjoys a unique and engaging auditory encounter with the diverse sounds of these 12 avian wonders.
Phase 4: Construction of birds
All the 12 birds were sculpted out of paper, wire and regular epoxy. The construction process began with some rough sketches of the bird’s body , wing and tail feathers , then the armatures were built using wire and paper. Facial features and legs were replicated using regular epoxy. All the body, wing and tail feathers were individually hand cut and glued to the birds body and consequently the birds were painted realistically using acrylic paints. Once all the birds sculptures were ready they were attached to their respective perches and installed inside the glass and wooden cabinet. After the installation of all the 12 birds we started working on creating the habitat of these birds. The Shola grasslands were replicated in the form of mounts which were made out of wire mesh, paper mache clay and static grass. We added lichen, reindeer moss and dried leaves to give it a more realistic backdrop.
Nilgiri Wood Pigeon coming to life.
Phase 5:Execution
Inauguration
The permanent motion sensor triggered exhibit was inaugurated by District Forest Officer Mr Meena in July 2023. The exhibit was very well received by the local community and has truly become an asset for them. The day commenced with visitors visiting the exhibit followed by a lighting talk by key note speaker , Niharika Rajput. Thereafter which students from two govt schools performed a skit on nature and wildlife. This exhibit created by Niharika will be used by CEH as a springboard into deeper exploration of the biodiversity of the Palani hills.
Here’s a short video that beautifully encapsulates our year long journey and throws light on all the key issues that we set out to address & goals we wanted to accomplish.