UDHAGAMANDALAM: The forest department will kick off state-wide
bird census
on January 24.
The census, which will be conducted in three phases for the first time, will focus on exploring species diversity, species richness, relative and absolute attendance and migratory pattern, said Shekar Kumar Niraj, principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden.
"We have roped in the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (
Sacon
) that have expertise in ornithological science to participate in the massive and critical exercise," he told TOI.
Ahead of the exercise, a meeting was recently held by the department and represented by senior scientists from the BNHS, WII, and Sacon, along with 38 district and circle-level officers. In the second week of January, a pre-census
bird
survey of shorebirds was held for the first time as strategic estimation methodology by the joint teams of the BNHS and forest officials.
Nesting and breeding of migratory species will also be an important aspect to be explored during the three-phase exercise, Niraj said. "The first phase will be conducted for two days on coastal and shorebirds, while the second phase will commence a week later on important inland wetlands. The third phase will focus on census of the terrestrial birds in inland conservation areas such as the five tiger reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and important identified bird areas."
The results will be analyzed by scientists of the partner institutions and forest officials, and sent to the state chief wildlife warden. "The data will also be used as inputs for the National Birds Action Plan, which is currently being prepared by WII," the official added.
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