Latest news with #DelhiBirdFoundation
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Time of India
Ditch day plans, unwind by Delhi's lakes on summer evenings
Want to hang out with family and friends, but the sweltering heat is stopping you? Step out when the sun goes down and head to one of Delhi's many lakes, where the vibes are cool, the skies turn gold, and there's a lot to do – or not – as you unwind amid nature. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From taking a walk with your doggo and listening to the birds sing to enjoying a boat ride – the city's water bodies offer a relatively cool and pretty chill way to spend summer evenings. We take you through the scenic lakeside spots in the city that you can visit over the weekend. Naini Lake A North Delhi gem, Naini Lake is perfect for paddle boating and evening strolls. 'The lake is visited by many residents and college-goers in the evening. A 30-minute paddle boat ride costs Rs130 for four people. The motorboat ride costs Rs250 for six people,' shares a Delhi Tourism employee. Naini Lake 'Good time to spot resident birds' While migratory birds have departed, resident birds can be spotted in and around the lakes of Delhi during late summer afternoons. Kavi Nanda, a member of Delhi Bird Foundation, shares, 'During this time, most lakes in Delhi are home only to resident species. One may spot egrets, spot-billed ducks and herons. There's a good chance of spotting spot-billed ducks with chicks or coming across active heronries, egrets, cormorants, storks and ibises. The green patches around these water bodies are also ideal for spotting summer birds like the Indian golden oriole, Asian koel and common hawk-cuckoo.' 'Good time to spot resident birds' Sunder Nursery Lake With floral blooms on both sides of the walkway, the lake at Sunder Nursery offers a picture-perfect pause amid the heritage gardens Sunder Nursery Lake "For centuries, water bodies – baolis, temple tanks – have served as places of social congregation for people. At Sunder Nursery, the five-acre lake is a favourite among families and groups of young friends. Here, screaming wild ducks, red-vented ibis, screeching owls and squaking mynas turn the evenings into a therapeutic retreat," says Ratish Nanda, CEO, Aga Khan Trust for Culture Bhalswa Lake Tucked away in Northwest Delhi, Bhalswa is a vast lake popular for its water sports and peaceful birding spots Bhalswa Lake Purana Qila Lake Adjacent to Delhi's historic fort, this lake is known for its view of the centuries-old fort Purana Qila Lake Hauz Khas Set against the backdrop of medieval ruins, Hauz Khas lake draws crowds for evening walks, jam sessions, photography and chilled-out evenings Hauz Khas
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.
