Every State in India has a designated State bird. So does every Union Territory. However, there is no “Union Territory Bird” at Daman & Diu and at same time there is no Owl which has been designated as a State bird or Union Territory (UT) bird in any of the States or UTs in India!

Given the vast diversity of owls in India (having more than 15% of the world’s owl species); it’s rich history in our mythology (in Mahabharat etc) and in our religion as the “vaahan” or vehicle of both Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth & Good Fortune and Goddess Chamunda, The Goddess of War / Epidemics / Other Disasters (both of these Goddesses are very relevant in the times we face today) – it is sad that we do not respect owls enough. There are some countries where the owl is the national bird also, and most countries consider owl as the wise one. In India, we have always looked down upon owls somehow leading to massive destruction of habitats as well as killing of thousands of owls (due to superstition, trade, quack medicine etc). We need to bring that change. 

There is no better opportunity than by taking this step of making Forest Owlet as the UT bird for Daman & Diu.
 
Forest Owlet is a rare owl species found only in India, and its numbers are in few hundreds only. It was first discovered in 1880 and then almost thought to be extinct for a century before being re-discovered in 1997. Daman & Diu is one of the few places in India where this owl is found. By giving it the “status” of a UT bird for Daman & Diu, we shall not only be recognising and respecting this extremely important bird species overall, but also ensure more awareness and protection for the Forest Owlet in specific.

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