Birding is the
perfect indulgence while
social distancing

Here's why? 

Although one avian mammal is suspect for causing this mass hysteria and global pandemic, birding in the wild open spaces when done the right way could be the much-needed relief and suspension of panic.

How some issues just hijack the entire conversation and focus!

The world has not been through anything like COVID-19, the coronavirus outbreak, labelled as a global pandemic by WHO, in a long while. With each passing moment, the confirmed cases and mortality keeps rising. There is not a single human endeavour that has not been affected. Years of progress has been undone, wealth erased overnight, travel and tourism are at an inflexion point. Inboxes are filled with cancellations and withdrawals. The paranoia of yesterday has become the norm of today with even Prince Charles folding hands in greeting.

We at The Bagh, Kanha and Bharatpur are affected with visas being cancelled and borders being closed. Our vendors from the local markets and guides are facing dire straits if this situation keeps up. More than anything else, we are worried about the safety of family and loved ones. 

But as the Queen and the Crown said all those years ago, Keep Calm and Sight a Bird.

We understand this might not seem essential, but more than ever before, such times call for a break, a suspension if you will, from the extraordinary.
Hence our recommendation, if you can, escape into the simple joys of birding. 

On the facade, it might seem we are being non-conformist for gain. All we are saying is, as long as you can escape into the colourful world of birding, without putting yourself and others in harm’s way, you should. We will even go to the extent of claiming that birding as an activity is perfect for social distancing.

The Bagh, Bharatpur

The Bagh, Kanha

Let us list down the why and how of birding as a social distancer.

Birding is antithetical to crowding and by default is a way of social distancing, the go-to strategy recommended by the epidemiologists to curb the virus proliferation within the populace. So, if you can access birding sites without coming in close contact with crowds, go for it. 
Yes, this means no large groups. No families and friends heading out for a road trip, definite no to using public transport if you can help it. Sorry seniors, if you have the six-decade mark and above, you are better off staying indoors and close to good healthcare facilities. 
Of course, the greatest benefit being, you will for those few days tune out of the constant barrage of messages and forwards on WhatsApp and other social media, more virulent than the CoVid 19 itself. We can safely vouch it is great for your mental health.
 
You can’t travel you say? Well, just hop to a nearby uncrowded park or woods in your neighbourhood. These are out of bounds too? Just sit in your balcony or by the window and gaze at the canopies around, observe and document all the birds you can see. Live in a high rise apartment? You can always check our blogs and gallery to educate yourself for a day when you can eventually head to that coveted bird hide, equipped to your teeth with cameras and lens to capture these avian beauties.
“I think this is a great way to relieve stress and should present little or no threat of exposure, we should encourage these healthy coping mechanisms, and also it’s good for people to maintain their enjoyable pastimes to the extent possible,” says Robyn Gershon, an epidemiology professor at New York University’s School of Public Health.
Collective wisdom has always maintained that outdoor pursuits are great for mental health and is now corroborated by scientific evidence. Nature can boost mood and ease anxiety. With a mass hysteria ready to blow up in our faces, indulging in such activities can help keep it real with a calming influence and rational mind.
To reiterate, whether you have been flying high for ages or just now spreading your wings, this is a pretty great time to go birding with spring migration and setting in of summer, local birdlife comes into its full glory. You can start this instant by trying to look out of your window and recognizing the winged visitors on trees around, helped by our database of local birds. Trust us, it is a great break for those of you caught in the work from the home grind.
In closing, we are all hoping this blows over sooner, but the truth is we are all in the dark. For now, follow the advice of health professionals and your local governments, eat healthily, get whatever exercise you can, might we suggest yoga. Feel gratitude to the healthcare workers on the frontline. Don’t touch your face with your hands, that is what binoculars are for. Train them to the skies and fly away.

In closing, we are all hoping this blows over sooner, but the truth is we are all in the dark. For now, follow the advice of health professionals and your local governments, eat healthily, get whatever exercise you can, might we suggest yoga. Feel gratitude to the healthcare workers on the frontline. Don’t touch your face with your hands, that is what binoculars are for. Train them to the skies and fly away.

The EXOTIC Journal

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Vasant Kunj
New Delhi
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