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Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Mizoram: Villagers, NGOs build a new nest for the rare Mrs. Hume's Pheasant
An environmental NGO and villagers from Farkawn in southeastern Mizoram have launched a grassroots conservation initiative to protect its state bird, the vulnerable Mrs. Hume's Pheasant, known locally as Vavu. The collaboration has curated the Vavu Sanctuary at Mount Lurh to safeguard the species, promote biodiversity with a bid to create community livelihoods. Mizoram's state bird, Mrs. Hume's Pheasant, has long held a place of pride among locals but increasing threats from habitat degradation have raised urgent calls for protection. Responding to these, a unique partnership emerged—uniting the villagers of Farkawn, the local Young Mizo Association (YMA), and the environmental NGO—Conservation Mizoram. 'The idea to curate Mount Lurh and the adjoining areas as the Vavu Sanctuary came earlier this year after several sightings of Mrs. Hume's Pheasant by villagers. Since we do not have any idea in ornithology, we collaborated with Conservation Mizoram and started groundwork with their expertise,' said P. Lalparliana, secretary of the Farkawn village joint YMA, speaking to HT. Nestled near Farkawn, a village near the Indo-Myanmar border, Mount Lurh has now become a focal point of conservation activities. The joint efforts aim to transform this biodiverse zone into a sanctuary dedicated to bird conservation, sustainable tourism, and community empowerment. Also read:Delhi Bird Atlas summer survey flagged off at Lodhi Garden 'The Vavu Sanctuary will be opened to the public after the breeding season of birds,' Lalparliana added. 'Several areas of the proposed sanctuary around Mount Lurh are currently used for grazing by our village's Mithun herd. A lot of overgrazing is going on, and we need to relocate the herd before we open the sanctuary to visitors.' 'The primary objective of our work here is to ensure the survival of Mrs. Hume's Pheasant and other rare species, which face habitat threats due to forest degradation,' said Rochamliana, president of Conservation Mizoram. 'But beyond that, it's about restoring balance to the ecosystem, and empowering local communities to be stewards of their land.' Rochamliana envisions the sanctuary as a model for community-based conservation and ecotourism. 'The sanctuary will become a source of income for locals, primarily through ecotourism and conservation-linked livelihoods. The plan is to engage local residents as guides, wildlife protectors, and sanctuary managers. This will open up employment opportunities and provide a sustainable income stream for Farkawn villagers.' The enthusiasm and engagement of Farkawn's villagers have been the project's cornerstone. With intimate knowledge of the terrain, the villagers have played a key role in identifying nesting grounds and monitoring avian activity. Patrol teams have been set up to prevent poaching and illegal logging, and creating basic infrastructure like birding hides is underway. 'The villagers of Farkawn, who live in close proximity to the sanctuary, have brought their deep ecological knowledge to the table. From spotting nests to preventing poaching, their contribution has been vital,' said Lalawmawia, secretary of Conservation Mizoram and an ornithologist. Also Read: Great Indian Bustard conservation milestones: 3 born in a day, 4 in a week According to Lalawmawia, Mount Lurh has the potential to join the ranks of India's celebrated bird sanctuaries such as Khichan in Rajasthan and Eaglenest in Arunachal Pradesh—both known for their successful fusion of community engagement and expert conservation work. He added that eastern Mizoram, bordering Myanmar's Chin Hills, is home to many rare species, including the Chin Hills Wren Babbler—found only in this cross-border region. 'This biodiversity makes the area one of the most critical birding hotspots within the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity zone,' he said. The documentation work by Conservation Mizoram has yielded promising results. 'Official bird count is yet to be done, but Conservation Mizoram has documented and photographed rare species like Mrs. Hume's Pheasant, Bamboo Hill Partridge, Green-tailed Sunbird, and over 40 other species in just one week,' Rochamliana shared. He added that with the help of cellular camera traps, his team photographed as many as seven individual Mrs. Hume's Pheasants during their last field visit. Conservation Mizoram believes the Vavu Sanctuary holds the potential to attract birdwatchers and researchers from across the globe. 'The habitat here is suitable for elusive and ground-dwelling bird species like the Mount Victoria Babax, Blyth's Tragopan, and the Green Peafowl. These birds are both vulnerable and visually striking, and their documented presence could position Mizoram prominently on the global birding map,' said Rochamliana. Also Read: 34 endangered vultures bred in Pinjore get new home in Maharashtra 'The Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot falls in this very region, and it is home to several rare and migratory birds,' added Lalawmawia. 'Just recently, a migratory bird listed as 'Critically Endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was spotted here. We are currently preparing a detailed report.' The species already confirmed in the area—including Mrs. Hume's Pheasant, Mount Victoria Babax, and Blyth's Tragopan—are all classified as 'Vulnerable' under the IUCN Red List, underlining the critical need for immediate and sustained conservation efforts. At the helm of the technical efforts is Conservation Mizoram, a local environmental group that has brought scientific insight, fieldwork skills, and conservation vision to the initiative. The organisation has previously been instrumental in setting up the Sailam Bird Sanctuary, which has drawn over 20,000 birdwatchers since its opening in 2016. 'Sailam sanctuary has recorded as many as 272 species of avian family since bird count started in 2017,' Rochamliana said. Also Read: The bird mothers keeping a species extant For the people of Farkawn and the broader conservation community in Mizoram, the Mount Lurh project is more than just an environmental initiative—it's a shared mission to protect a fragile ecosystem and revive the bond between people and nature. Bird sanctuaries like Mount Lurh are essential not only for the survival of specific species but also for maintaining broader ecological health. As climate change, deforestation, and human encroachment continue to threaten natural habitats, Mizoram's community-first model offers a promising path forward. 'Saving Mrs. Hume's Pheasant is not just about one bird,' Rochamliana said with quiet conviction. 'It's about preserving the soul of Mizoram's forests for generations to come.' With the planned opening of the Vavu Sanctuary after the breeding season, hopes are high that this hidden gem of biodiversity will soon find its place on the national and international conservation map—fuelled by the deep-rooted passion of those who call it home.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Delhi Bird Atlas summer survey flagged off at Lodhi Garden
The state forest and wildlife department on Sunday flagged-off the summer survey of the Delhi Bird Atlas at Lodhi Garden. The month-long survey will formally commence next week and will continue till early June. The flagging off took place among 100 birdwatchers, volunteers, students, wildlife experts, and conservationists. The survey, officials said, will see over 100 teams across the Capital and aims to provide data on the habitat and locations where bird species are recorded in Delhi. A comprehensive book, based on the survey, is expected to be prepared by the forest department. The Bird Atlas will likely be released by December, officials said. The inauguration was honoured by Shyam Sunder Kandpal, Delhi's chief wildlife warden and Dr Dipankar Ghose, senior director, biodiversity conservation of World Wide Fund-India. 'This unique effort by Delhi's birding community will actually bring out the ecological health of the is a unique initiative by Delhi bird watchers and nature lovers, and it will go a long way in furthering the environmental issues of Delhi,' Kandpal said on Sunday. The first census for the Bird Atlas – the winter survey – was carried out between January 1 and February's first week and revealed 200 different bird species in the Capital. Roughly 10% of Delhi's total geographical area — 1,483sqkm — was covered in the first census, which involved dividing Delhi into grids of 6.6sqkm each. The census was carried out by a team comprising birders from the Delhi Bird Foundation and Bird Count India, in collaboration with volunteers from NGOs. The forest department said the same methodology will be adapted this time, as in the winter survey. The Bird Atlas is prepared with the help of birders who are part of the Bird Count India, Delhi Bird Foundation and organisations and agencies such as WWF-India, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), Asian Adventures and Wildlife SOS among others. Forest officials said training sessions were conducted throughout April to prepare volunteers and now teams been formed across Delhi for coverage. One of the cluster heads, birder Rajesh Kalra said, 'Merlin and eBird are incredible resources that make birdwatching and data collection so much easier. But beyond that, it's about passing on our passion for birds to the next generation of birders. It's exciting to see young people getting involved and learning to appreciate the wonders of nature.' Ghose said such initiatives help in strengthening scientific knowledge and fostering environmental stewardship among citizens. 'Creating an Atlas like this is no small task. It requires dedication, patience, and a shared love for nature. The Delhi Bird Atlas is a much-needed and truly unique effort to map the rich biodiversity of our capital city,' he said, stating the findings and data will also be featured in the annual 'State of the Birds' report. In the first census, the 200 species recorded included the red-crested pochard, the paddyfield warbler, the Eurasian kestrel, and the oriental darter among others. The most common species in Delhi was the rock pigeon, with 14,127 individuals, followed by the common myna (6,411) and the black kite (6,082). The house sparrow had emerged as the ninth most commonly spotted species, with 1,364 individuals recorded.
The Print
27-04-2025
- General
- The Print
Delhi Bird Atlas Summer Survey launched at Lodhi Garden
The survey was flagged off by Shyam Sundar Kandpal, Chief Wildlife Warden of Delhi, and Dr Dipankar Ghose, Senior Director, Biodiversity Conservation at WWF-India, amid a lively gathering that included citizens of all age groups, the statement said. The event saw the participation of nearly 100 birdwatchers, volunteers, students, wildlife experts and conservationists, who gathered to kick off the large-scale citizen science initiative aimed at mapping the national capital's bird life. New Delhi, Apr 27 (PTI) Delhi on Sunday began its summer census of its avian diversity with the formal launch of the Delhi Bird Atlas Summer Survey at Lodhi Garden on Sunday morning, a statement said. Speaking at the inauguration, Kandpal underlined the importance of community participation in conservation efforts. 'This unique effort of birding by the Birding Community of Delhi will actually bring out the ecological health of the city, how green it is, how beautiful it is, and the beautifully maintained parks of Delhi, because birds will only be there once the environment is very well maintained,' he said. 'It will go a long way in furthering the environmental issues of Delhi,' he added. Ghose emphasised the critical role such initiatives play in advancing scientific knowledge and building environmental stewardship. 'Creating an atlas like this is no small task. It requires dedication, patience and a shared love for nature. The Delhi Bird Atlas is a much-needed and truly unique effort to map the rich biodiversity of our capital city,' he said. The findings from the survey will be compiled into a separate report and will also contribute to the annual 'State of the Birds' report and other conservation publications, he added. Organised by a consortium of conservation groups, including the Delhi Forest Department, Bird Count India, WWF-India, Delhi Bird Foundation, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), Asian Adventures, and Wildlife SOS, the survey will continue through May and June 2025. Volunteers will cover over 145 subcells across Delhi's green spaces, wetlands, and urban habitats. Volunteers underwent training sessions throughout April, and seven clusters have been formed for systematic coverage of different zones. Senior birders and experts will mentor survey teams to ensure robust data collection. Highlighting the use of technology in modern birding, senior birder and cluster head Dr Rajesh Kalra said, 'Merlin and eBird are incredible resources that make birdwatching and data collection so much easier. But beyond that, it's about passing on our passion for birds to the next generation of birders,' the statement added. PTI NSM HIG HIG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
145 zones to be surveyed in summer bird census
New Delhi: The Delhi forest department and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), along with nearly 100 enthusiastic birdwatchers, volunteers, students, wildlife experts and conservationists, flagged off the summer survey of the Delhi Bird Atlas at Lodhi Garden. The initiative aims to identify microhabitats across the city. Chief wildlife warden of Delhi, Shyam Sundar Kandpal, and Dipankar Ghose, senior director of biodiversity conservation at WWF-India, attended the event as chief guests. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The forest department recently provided basic birding training to forest guards, helping them assist experts in the development of the bird atlas. This initiative seeks to document the presence of avifauna across various city locations, identifying specific bird species in different urban areas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The Delhi Bird Atlas project aims to create a comprehensive record of bird diversity in the capital through public participation and professional surveys. The project is a collaboration between the forest department and various organisations, including Bird Count India, Delhi Bird Foundation, WWF-India, DIAL, Wildlife SOS and Asian Adventures. A comprehensive survey will cover 145 subcells across Delhi's various habitats and green spaces during May and June 2025. This extensive project, coordinated by conservation groups and local birdwatchers, aims to collect vital data for urban wildlife conservation . Forest officials emphasised the importance of public involvement in conservation efforts and acknowledged the unity among Delhi's birding community. "This unique birding initiativ e by the birding community of delhi will reveal the ecological health of the city—how green it is, how beautiful it is, and the well-maintained parks. Birds can only thrive in well-maintained environments. This initiative, led by Delhi's bird watchers and nature lovers, will contribute significantly to environmental awareness in the city," said Kandpal. Ghose highlighted the importance of such projects in deepening scientific understanding and promoting environmental responsibility among residents.
