Bhutan is an ornithologistís paradise with over 640 bird species of which 16 species have been identified as being globally threatened, according to Bird Life International, the eastern and the central part of the kingdom like Zhemgang are reputed to be among the best birding spots in Asia.
An impressive variety of these birds have been captured by photographer Yeshey Dorji who released a pictorial book called “Bhutan Birds” in Thimphu on April 19. The book, published by a local company, You-2 Publishers and printed in India by a company called Pragati Offset, comprises 130 full-page colour photographs of birds found in Bhutan.
“Photography always interested me,” said Yeshey Dorji. “I traveled to almost all the places in Bhutan and it took me long five years to compile these pictures. This book is a tribute to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.”
He said that taking pictures of the White Bellied Heron and its chicks in the nest was his best amongst his photographs. Its global population is estimated at anywhere from 50 to 250 and records indiacate that Bhutan alone has 24 of these rare birds.
The publishers told Kuensel that they published about 3,000 books at a cost of about Nu 5.00 million. It sells for Nu. 2,500 a copy.
Their Majesties Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck launched the book at a ceremony attended by dignitaries from the government and civil sector.
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