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Time of India
3 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
A city of birds: Delhi's first urban atlas completes a year
Delhi Bird Atlas data is open and contributed to the eBird global platform 'It takes a flock to spot city's birds,' suggests Delhi Bird Atlas' presentation, mapping the one-year journey. From drains to wetlands, a year-long effort led by citizens is transforming how the capital sees its ecology. The Delhi Bird Atlas, a city-wide initiative to systematically document the capital's avifauna, marked the completion of its first full year this week, with a gathering of over 150 birders, forest officials, researchers, and NGOs at the WWF Auditorium, Lodhi Road. In just 12 months, the Atlas has mobilised over 200 volunteers, generated 1150 eBird checklists, and mapped more than 221 bird species across wetlands, ridge forests, drains, urban villages, slums, and high-rise colonies. The ecological transformation is powered not by high-tech labs or satellite imagery, but by binoculars, bird checklists and citizen resolve. 'The data is a testament to the commitment of the Delhi birding community' You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Delivering the keynote address at the event, Shyam Sunder Kandpal, IFS, Delhi's Chief Wildlife Warden, called the Atlas "one of the most comprehensive citizen science efforts ever undertaken in an Indian city,' emphasising the Forest Department's commitment to support and scale the initiative in its second year. He added, 'Delhi Bird Atlas has our full support. This data will be important in the coming days and is a testament to the enthusiasm and commitment of Delhi birding community and citizens who deeply care about the biodiversity of the national capital. ' Jabestin A, IFS Conservator of Delhi Forests, said, 'I have been part of other bird atlases in India, but the Delhi Bird Atlas is unique as it has managed to cover 100 per cent of the subcells in the first year in itself. The dedication of the birders is visible in the outcome, and the Atlas is showing us how cities like Delhi can build powerful ecological datasets through local knowledge and collaborative design.' Unlike one-off bird counts, the Atlas follows a seasonal, grid-based methodology that enables researchers to track temporal trends, habitat-level changes, and migratory patterns with greater resolution. The data is open and contributed to the eBird global platform, making Delhi one of few megacities with a growing public dataset on urban birdlife. Delhi Bird Atlas in a citizen science initiative to map Delhi's avian diversity The event, titled Delhi Bird Atlas: Year One in Review – A Celebration of Citizen Science, featured: • Highlights from winter and summer surveys • A citizen science quiz with participation from first-time volunteers to seasoned ecologists • Visual displays of species trends and urban cluster data • Discussions on community-driven monitoring and atlas expansion into RWAs, schools, and ward-level planning This is field ecology, ground-up, happening in the middle of one of India's most important urban spaces Dr Akash Gulalia one of the senior birders. The event closed with a felicitation of core volunteers, team leads, and partners — including Bird Count India, Delhi Forest Department, WWF-India, Wildlife SOS, and Asian Adventures, with a promise to engage more volunteers in its second year. With its replicable format, low-cost implementation, and strong local ownership, the Delhi Bird Atlas now stands as a living model for urban biodiversity monitoring in India. Supported by organisations including Delhi Forest Department, Bird Count India, WWF-India, delhibird Foundation, Dial (Delhi International Airport Limited), Asian Adventures, Wildlife SOS, and other conservation partners, the Delhi Bird Atlas promises to be a landmark initiative for the city. Pankaj Gupta, a seasoned birder, who is leading the DBA, took the gathering through the process by which Delhi Bird Atlas, a citizen science initiative aimed at systematically documenting the bird diversity of Delhi, works. The cluster leads and volunteers map habitats through regular, structured surveys and standardised data collection. Conducted across a grid-based mapping system, the Atlas seeks to generate robust, long-term datasets that help monitor population trends, habitat usage, and species distribution. Organised by a collaboration of birdwatchers, researchers and conservation organisations and the government, the atlas project also aims to promote awareness about urban biodiversity and contribute valuable insights for conservation planning and ecological management in the Delhi region.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
CM Yogi orders swift action on land ownership rights for families displaced from East Pakistan
LUCKNOW: chief minister directed concrete action towards granting legal land ownership rights to the families displaced from East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) and settled in various districts of the state in a high-level meeting, a release said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The chief minister stated that this is not just a matter of land transfer, but an opportunity to honour the life struggles of thousands of families who took refuge in India from across the country's borders and have been waiting for rehabilitation for decades. Describing the issue as more than just a matter of land transfer, the chief minister said, "This is an opportunity to honour the decades-long struggle of thousands of families who took refuge in India and have waited for rightful rehabilitation. These families must be treated with both sensitivity and dignity; it is the moral responsibility of the government." Officials reported that between 1960 and 1975, following the Partition, thousands of displaced families from East Pakistan were resettled in the districts of Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bijnor, and Rampur. Initially settled through transit camps and provided agricultural land, most of these families have still not received legal ownership due to discrepancies in records and administrative delays, the release stated. The chief minister was informed that although land has been allotted in several villages, various legal and administrative hurdles, including land being recorded under the Forest Department, incomplete transfer procedures, and a lack of physical possession, have prevented many families from receiving formal land rights. In some areas, families from other states have also been resettled but continue to remain without legal ownership. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Current assessments reveal that in many villages, displaced families have been cultivating land for years and have even constructed permanent homes. Yet, their names are still missing from official land records. In contrast, some of the original allottees no longer reside in those areas. Additionally, in certain areas, individuals have taken possession of land without completing the necessary legal formalities, leading to further complications, it added. Addressing these challenges, the chief minister emphasised the need to explore alternative legal mechanisms in light of the repeal of the Government Grant Act in 2018. He instructed officials to explore new provisions within the existing legal framework to resolve these long-standing issues. "This is not just a policy decision; it is a sensitive and historic step toward delivering justice to those displaced families who have lived in uncertainty for decades," CM Yogi said. "This effort must be viewed through the lens of social justice, humanity, and national responsibility. It is a chance to restore dignity to lives long overlooked."
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Eco-tourism infrastructure gets a boost with two more eco huts getting ready in Pachamalai hills
The Forest Department has enhanced eco-tourism infrastructure in the lush green and serene Pachamalai, falling under the Tiruchi Forest Division near Thuraiyur, which has been attracting nature lovers and tourists. The infrastructure enhancements have been carried out under the Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives (TANII) 2024-25 with an allocation of ₹1.1 crore. Two eco huts have been constructed at Top Sengattupatti atop the Pachamalai as part of the department's ongoing eco-tourism infrastructure enhancement, said a senior official. The eco huts have been provided with double cots, a separate dining place, restroom, and a verandah for visitors to enjoy the verdant environment on the hills. A British-era bungalow has been renovated as part of this initiative and made ready to accommodate tourists. The eco huts and the revamped British bungalow would be thrown open to the visitors soon, the official said. A part of the Eastern ghats, the scenic Pachamalai, which comes under the Thuraiyur Forest Range, is endowed with thick forest areas, ridges and valleys. It is home to various animal and bird species besides butterflies. A study undertaken by the Forest Department in December 2024 recorded as many as 126 butterfly species and a healthy butterfly population in the hill region. The hilly terrain has the popular Koraiyar and Mangalam waterfalls besides dedicated trekking routes at Sholamathi, Kalaimman Koil, and Kuthirai Paathai for the trekkers and adventure lovers. Amenities at waterfalls The officials said bathing facilities had been improved at the Koraiyar falls. This includes construction of safe access steps and provision of safety rails for secure bathing in the stream. Safety measures have also been put in place at Mangalam falls. All these developments complement the existing two tree top accommodations which were established in 2015 to promote eco-tourism at Pachamalai.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Eco-tourism infrastructure gets a boost with two more eco huts getting ready in Tamil Nadu's Pachamalai hills
The Forest Department has enhanced eco-tourism infrastructure in the lush green and serene Pachamalai, falling under the Tiruchi Forest Division near Thuraiyur, which has been attracting nature lovers and tourists. The infrastructure enhancements have been carried out under the Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives (TANII) 2024-25 with an allocation of ₹1.1 crore. Two eco huts have been constructed at Top Sengattupatti atop the Pachamalai as part of the department's ongoing eco-tourism infrastructure enhancement, said a senior official. The eco huts have been provided with double cots, a separate dining place, restroom, and a verandah for visitors to enjoy the verdant environment on the hills. A British-era bungalow has been renovated as part of this initiative and made ready to accommodate tourists. The eco huts and the revamped British bungalow would be thrown open to the visitors soon, the official said. A part of the Eastern ghats, the scenic Pachamalai, which comes under the Thuraiyur Forest Range, is endowed with thick forest areas, ridges and valleys. It is home to various animal and bird species besides butterflies. A study undertaken by the Forest Department in December 2024 recorded as many as 126 butterfly species and a healthy butterfly population in the hill region. The hilly terrain has the popular Koraiyar and Mangalam waterfalls besides dedicated trekking routes at Sholamathi, Kalaimman Koil, and Kuthirai Paathai for the trekkers and adventure lovers. Amenities at waterfalls The officials said bathing facilities had been improved at the Koraiyar falls. This includes construction of safe access steps and provision of safety rails for secure bathing in the stream. Safety measures have also been put in place at Mangalam falls. All these developments complement the existing two tree top accommodations which were established in 2015 to promote eco-tourism at Pachamalai.
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
CM Yogi Directs Officials To Grant Land Ownership Rights To Bangladesh Refugees
Last Updated: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath directed officials to grant legal land ownership to Bangladesh refugees, emphasizing moral responsibility and historic significance. In a significant move, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday directed state officials to take swift action in granting legal land ownership rights to around 10,000 families displaced from Bangladesh who have been resettled across various districts in the state. Calling it a moral responsibility of the government, Chief Minister Adityanath said, 'This is an opportunity to honour the decades-long struggle of thousands of families who took refuge in India and have waited for rightful rehabilitation. These families must be treated with both sensitivity and dignity." 'This is not just a policy decision; it is a sensitive and historic step toward delivering justice to those displaced families who have lived in uncertainty for decades," CM Yogi said. 'This effort must be viewed through the lens of social justice, humanity, and national responsibility. It is a chance to restore dignity to lives long overlooked," added. Officials reported, post partition, between 1960 and 1975, thousands of displaced families from East Pakistan resettled in Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bijnor, and Rampur districts. Initially settled through transit camps and provided agricultural land, most of these families have still not received legal ownership due to discrepancies in records and administrative delays. The CM was informed that although land has been allotted in several villages, various issues, including land being recorded under the Forest Department, incomplete transfer procedures, and a lack of physical possession, have acted as a hindrance in the process to grant them formal land rights. In some areas, families from other states have also been resettled but continue to remain without legal ownership. Recent assessments revealed that in many villages, those families have been cultivating land for years and have even constructed permanent homes still their names are missing from official land records. It has also come to light that some of the original allottees no longer live in those areas. Further, in some areas, people have taken possession of land without even completing the legal formalities which has further complicated the matter. In the wake of persistent challenges, CM Adityanath stressed on the need to explore alternative legal mechanisms in light of the repeal of the Government Grant Act in 2018. He has directed the officials to explore new provisions within the existing legal framework to resolve these issues. view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 15:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
