Jatinga
Jatinga (river)
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
River of Assam, which rises near Haflang in the North Cachar hills, and flowing west and south falls into the Barak. The hill section of the Assam-Bengal Railway has been taken up the valley of the Jatinga, the line running along the right bank of the river. In the plains. the Jatinga passes near numerous tea gardens, and during the rainy season a small steamer goes up to Balachara near the foot of the hills. The river is nowhere bridged, but is crossed by five ferries, and is largely used as a trade route. Barkhala Bazar, Bala- chara, arid Damchara railway station are the most important places on its banks. Its total length is 36 miles.
Mass Bird Suicide – Jatinga village
The idyllic village of Jatinga is snugly nestled amongst the Borail Hills of Assam. Every monsoon, this scenic village witnesses an uncanny phenomenon. Between September and October, especially during dark and foggy nights, hundreds of migratory birds fly full speed towards trees and buildings, crashing to death. This 'mass bird suicide' was first brought to global attention by famous naturalist E.P. Gee in the 1960s. Ever since, it has remained one of the world's unsolved mysteries.
