The Bermuda Triangle for Birds – Jatinga Valley, where Birds commit mass ‘Suicide’, Assam, India! – Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve ~ Tour Packages & Safari Bookings Official

Not far away from Guwahati (330 KM South) lies the hill district of Dimasa Hasao located in the north of Barak Valley. Home to one of the oldest inhabitants of the North East India, the Dimasa tribe, this wonderland is a land of undulating blue hills and green valleys with gently flowing rivers and rivulets, gurgling streams and milky waterfalls, where the very breeze that wafts across the paddy fields and the bamboo forests is redolent with the fragrance of the land in which man and animal live in perfect harmony with Mother nature.

The Jatinga valley is a quaint village in the district of Dimasa Hasao. It is here that we get to observe one of the most curious subject that has been a mystery to ornithologists from across the world – the phenomenon of birds committing mass ‘suicide’. At the end of the monsoons during the months of September and October, during moonless and foggy dark nights between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m, drawn by some mysterious alchemy of the earth and sky, flying birds come crashing to the ground with no prior warning whatsoever. This phenomenon is not confined to a single species, with Tiger Bittern, Black Bittern, Little Egret, Pond Heron, Indian Pitta and Kingfishers all being affected.

Jatinga Valley, Jatinga Bird suicide, Jatinga visit, Haflong, Kaziranga — **Welcome at the Jatinga Watch tower near Haflong in Assam**

Theories explaining this phenomenon state that a combination of high altitude, high winds, and fog leads to the disorientation of the birds and they get attracted to the light of the village (bright light itself has been known to disorient birds) as a source of flight stabilization. While another says certain conditions make modifications of magnetic qualities of subterranean water in this sector. These changes disturb the physiological rhythm of the local birds and they start behaving abnormally towards the sources of light.

But it is known for sure that birds don’t actually commit suicide at Jatinga. No doubt, the birds get disoriented and are attracted to light sources in one part the village mostly villagers’ torches and these birds are killed upon landing. The villagers in the area take advantage of these birds and kill them for food. They consider the coming of the birds a gift of the Gods. However, with the attempts of the Wildlife and bird societies in India to educate the villagers about the phenomenon in an attempt to stop the mass killings of the birds, have reduced this practice and since then bird deaths have decreased by forty percent.

Although, many theories by famous ornithologists have tried to explain this rare phenomenon but the real reason is not yet known. This phenomenon can indeed be described as the ‘The Bermuda Triangle for Birds’

In addition to our previous post on The Bermuda Triangle of India – the lake of no return this post brings forth to you an exciting and mysterious adventure that awaits at North East India.

Jungleideas welcomes you to India’s North East to witness the Bermuda Triangle for Birds – Jatinga Valley, where Birds commit mass ‘Suicide’, the State of Assam, Incredible India!

To visit Jatinga contact us at: www.jungleideas.com