Chhattisgarh to Set Up Six ‘Hornbill Restaurants’ in Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve

The Chhattisgarh Forest Department has initiated the process of establishing six “hornbill restaurants” in the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) located in Gariaband district. The move aims to provide a permanent habitat for the rare Malabar Pied Hornbill and support natural forest expansion in the region.

The concept of “hornbill restaurants” refers to designated forest patches enriched with fruit-bearing trees to ensure an abundant supply of the bird’s primary diet—fruits. By improving food availability, forest officials hope to encourage sustained habitation and breeding of the species in the reserve.

The Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus), traditionally associated with the moist forests of the Western Ghats, was first documented in USTR in 2017. Since then, its presence has steadily increased. By 2023, sightings were recorded once or twice a month, and currently, one or two individuals are being spotted almost every week.

The bird, which stands about 2 to 2.5 feet tall, is known for its large curved beak and striking plumage. Though primarily found in the Western Ghats, its growing presence in USTR signals a possible expansion of its habitat range.

According to the latest assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Malabar Pied Hornbill was listed under the ‘Near Threatened’ category in the 2024 Red List of Threatened Species. The IUCN estimates that there are between 3,000 and 32,000 mature individuals of the species globally. The species is endemic to the Indian subcontinent.

Source: IE