Making a collective effort residents of a village in Gujarat, Dethali have shown how change can be effected. Two decades before, a prominent lake in the village had been reduced to filth and garbage and the area was barren, devoid of any flora and fauna.

Then the 1,300 residents of the village resolved to undertake a massive makeover and today they are proud of the fact that multiple species of birds come to the lake. According to a report in Times of India, there are 150 avian species attracted to the place, including the cotton pygmy, Rudy shell duck, Northern Shoveler, Black-rumped Flameback, Pied Cuckoo, and Spotted Owlet.

With the transformation of the filth filled lake sprawling across 30 acres, into a water body which now has nine crore litre of water, the farmers in the vicinity too have benefited.

Making this happen were the residents of Dethali along with some of the natives who live abroad. Together they not only cleaned the water but also transformed the barren Dethali, into a full-fledged bird sanctuary.

Hailing from Dethali and now residing in Japan, Mayur Shah, speaking to TOI said; “The village was in the migratory route, but no bird flapped their wings here, not even in the vicinity. But now, with everybody's efforts, it is a hotspot for migratory birds.”

Somchand Shah, Mayur’s father, was the one who egged and encouraged the villagers to desilt the lake. Following this Mayur with the help of his father and forest department officials created three islands in the lake as places for the migratory birds to rest after flying for thousands of miles.

Further, encroachments were removed and embankments made to harvest the lake water efficiently.

Now the greening of the area and avian population has inspired the villagers to turn the place into a tourist attraction to garner more funds for further development of the region.