Once a vibrant emblem of the Himalayan wilderness, hornbills—famed for their vivid beaks and radiant feathers—are fast disappearing from the forests of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong. A sharp 70 percent drop in population over recent years has triggered alarm among environmentalists and forest officials, leading to urgent conservation action.
Species like the Indian Grey Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Pied Hornbill, Heart-headed Hornbill, and Oriental Pied Hornbill, once commonly spotted in Mahaldiram, Latpancher, Rangtong, Shivkhola and the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, have now become increasingly rare. Today, only the Great Indian Hornbill is spotted with some regularity.
Deforestation, rampant environmental degradation, and climate change have eroded the hornbills’ natural habitats. Fruit-bearing trees essential to their survival have been lost, while nesting spaces have become scarce. These challenges have pushed many species to the brink of local extinction.
Massive reforestation drive underway
In response, the Forest Department—spearheaded by Kurseong Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Debesh Pandey—has launched a large-scale habitat restoration initiative. Partnering with the Eastern Dooars Tourism Development Association, they aim to revive the natural food sources and nesting grounds crucial for hornbill survival.
A major plantation effort has already begun near the Mahaldiram Tea Garden, where 200 fruit trees, including jamun and the rare Himalayan kafal, alongside 100 flowering trees have been planted. The target is to plant 50,000 trees across key areas of the region.
“These birds rely heavily on certain fruit-bearing trees,” said DFO Pandey. “By restoring their food sources and installing nest boxes, we hope to give them safe spaces to breed and thrive again.”
The initiative has received strong local backing, particularly from the Sitong-2 Gram Panchayat. Additionally, awareness campaigns are being held in villages across the hills to educate residents about the ecological significance of hornbills and the need for pollution control and sustainable practices.
Talks are ongoing with various gram panchayats to implement stricter environmental protection in vulnerable zones.
Hope on the horizon: Hornbill park in the works
Biswajit Saha, General Secretary of the Eastern Dooars Tourism Development Association, emphasised the urgency of the mission. “In the last decade, hornbill sightings in places like Mahaldiram and Latpancher have almost vanished. By restoring their habitat, we aim to bring them back.”
Looking ahead, plans are being developed to create a dedicated Hornbill Sanctuary or Park—an initiative designed to ensure long-term conservation and promote eco-tourism in the region.
As the skies over Darjeeling and Kurseong grow increasingly silent, forest officials and conservationists remain hopeful. With sustained efforts, they believe the haunting calls of the hornbill will once again echo across the Himalayan foothills, inviting nature lovers from all over the world to witness their graceful return.
