Chhattisgarh Develops ‘Hornbill Restaurants’ | 24 Feb 2026

Why in News?

The Chhattisgarh Forest Department initiated a unique wildlife conservation project by creating six “hornbill restaurants” in the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, aimed at providing a food‑rich habitat for the rare Malabar Pied Hornbill and enhancing forest regeneration. 

Key Points:

• Conservation Initiative: The forest department started establishing six hornbill restaurants — not actual eateries but clusters of fruit‑bearing trees. 
• Objective: These plantations are designed to offer year‑round fruit resources for the hornbills, ensuring stable food availability and encouraging the birds to settle and breed in the region.
• Species Focus: The Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus) is a forest bird with striking black and white plumage and a large casque.
  • IUCN Status: It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, and its presence in central India’s forests is considered ecologically significant.
  • WPA Status: It is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act
• Ecological Importance: Hornbills are keystone seed dispersers — by eating fruit and spreading seeds across wide areas, they help regenerate forests, maintain plant biodiversity and support ecosystem health. 
  • In addition to improving habitat quality inside the tiger reserve, trees are also being planted near villages to enable residents and tourists to view hornbills safely, potentially boosting eco‑tourism.
• Significance: Chhattisgarh’s hornbill restaurant initiative reflects an innovative and ecosystem‑centric approach to wildlife conservation, focusing on restoring natural habitats, supporting threatened species, and promoting ecological harmony and eco‑tourism in and around tiger reserves.