TN villages mark 20th cracker-free Diwali for birds

Residents of over 10 villages near Vellode Bird Sanctuary in Erode, Tamil Nadu, are celebrating their 20th consecutive cracker-free Deepavali to protect thousands of nesting birds. Species like Painted Stork, Grey Heron, and migratory birds from Siberia and Australia visit the 240-acre sanctuary between October and March. Villagers forgo firecrackers to prevent noise from disrupting the breeding season.