Bird counting week 2021

The Pasture Development Committee Dindoli and Foundation for Ecological Security institution, under the joint aegis of the chairmanship of local representative Nandram Bhil, and Dindoli Sanstha trainers, together counted birds on the pond. According to the locals, the program was organized in Garat, Jal Kagali, under Bird Counting Week 2021. The organization's district coordinator Sanwarlal Jat told that about 620 birds of 16 species and their species were found in the program like parrot, pigeon, Harshada, Hans, Kali Chidiya, Sohan Chidiya, tithari, duck, heron, deck, hawk, etc. In the program, grassland utilities, location and importance was emphasized by development committee chairman Shahrukh Mohammad, co-chairman Ashish Joshi. Bhairulal Raika, Narayan Bhil, villagers were present in the program.

Rajendra Singh Chundawat, Ratan Lal Mali, Pooja Sharma, Devendra Tripathi from Kapasan, Manju Sharma, Krishna Sharma, Devishankar Sukhwal from Rashmi, Kailash Pareek, Dinesh Pareek, Sunita Weaver, Sunita Kunwar Rajput from Gangrar, Omprakash Meghwal from Chittorgarh and Gordhan Jat were also present. 

Ashish Joshi, Shahrukh Mohammad also spoke on this occasion. He talked about developing this pond in the coming time so that the foreign birds coming here can get a comfortable environment and stay here for a long time.

Bird counting: An ingenius method of protecting the environment

Did you know that individuals with even a meager interest in birds can participate in activities like bird counting? 

If not, then this post is for you! If this is the first time you are hearing about bird counting, then this post is also for you! 

Bird counting is the activity of observing, identifying and listing birds in a habitat¹; can vary from urban buildings to a pond in a sanctuary because, as we all know, birds are everywhere. I am not just talking about those pigeons waiting outside your window panes to build a nest inside your house, instead I am trying to motivate you to look beyond those who show up at your window pane. For exampls, watch the small, brown feathered Bulbul, or the Indian Scops Owl near The Ridge in North Campus, Delhi University² or, if you find yourself fortunate, near a park in your neighborhood. 

Around the world, in order to ignite the passion of bird watching among citizens, a number of events/activities have been formed to ensure the same, of which the Great Backyard Bird Count is the most famous. This event is organised each February for a period of four days where the individuals, using digital tools, observe, identify and list birds either to relax or to compete as a challenge. Last year, according to The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC 2020) summary report, India recorded the second highest spot for bird counting checklist, with the highest number coming from the state of Tamil Nadu³. 

Similarly, FES (Foundation for Ecological Security), an NGO based in Anand, by collaborating in local committees in different states has been participating in Bird Counting for a long time.  For Bird Counting Week 2021, FES collaborated with Rashmi Devishankar Sukhwal Pasture Development Committee Dindoli, and a program was organized under the chairmanship of former Sarpanch and present Zilla Parishad member representative Nandram Bhil at Dindoli pond⁴. 

Information regarding the species of birds in nature and their utility, place and importance and their connection and development with Shamlat resources was disseminated during the program inauguration by Sanwarlal Jat, the district coordinator of the organization. The villagers and FES block instructors of the organization including Rajendra Singh Chundawat from Bhupalsagar, Ratan Lal Mali, Puja Sharma, Devendra Tripathi from Kapasan etc participated and counted the birds. 

After an enthralling week, according to the local language, the villagers in Dindoli village, Rajasthan found about 620 birds of 16 species such as Garat, Water Kagli, Hans, Black bird, Sohan bird, Tithari, Duck, Heron, Dek, Hawk, Parrot, Pigeon, Bird, Harsada! 

Such bird counting events are not just useful for villagers to understand and adapt to their village surroundings, but also a unique way to protect the bird species and the environment. Perhaps, the positive consequences of such an event will build a positive environment for birds, bird watchers in not just rural areas but urban residences as well.

So from next time, remember the words BIRD COUNTING WEEK and witness the fascination of  watching and recording the different species of birds in your area!

For more information on birding, bird-watching in India/world, do take a look at the following links: 

https://www.birdcount.org/

https://birdcount.in/

Endnote: 

1. “Getting started 1: Why do we watch birds?,” Bird Count India, September 6, 2016, accessed August 11, 2021, https://birdcount.in/why-do-we-watch-birds/. 

2. Abhishek Gulshan, “The Indian Scops: Ghost of the city,” The Hindu, May 02, 2020 17:59 IST, accessed August 11, 2021, https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/the-indian-scops-ghost-of-the-city/article31470542.ece. 

3. 2020 GBBC Summary, Pdf (Great Backyard Bird Count, Canada, 2020), Pdf, https://www.birdcount.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2020-GBBC-Summary.pdf. 

4. “Bird counting in Dindoli pond,” The Summary News, 2020.