To know the presence of various species of avi-fauna in Haryana, State Forests and Wildlife Department has decided to organise Haryana Big Bird Count 2020 on January 12 and January 19, VS Tanwar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Haryana said.
"The objective of the bird count is to know the exact number of various species of avi-fauna in the State as well as to find out the well-being of the birds and the habitat in which they were living, he said, adding the counting would focus on bird species.
The highest numbers of migratory birds are used to be at the wetland areas during this season," he said.
Tanwar said, “The lots of migratory birds reach at various wetlands areas in the State during winter season.
Study reveals that migratory birds from China, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tibet, Siberia and Iraq start thronging the wetland in October-mid.
The winged visitors return to their native countries in March with the onset of the spring season. This month is the best time for its counting and recording. This is the first time that the department is organising two days Haryana Big Bird Count 2020 on January 12 and 19 in the State.”
The Chief Wildlife Warden said that team comprising three to six members, headed by an expert having knowledge of identifying bird species and the methodology of their counting has been formed at each district of the State.
To complete this exercise, all the necessary arrangements have been made at Forest Rest Houses particularly at Pinjore, Kaleshar, Ambala, Jind, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Mahendergarh, Rewari and Palwal.
Tanwar said that Haryana is a natural habitat of many bird species and some data reveals that the number of individuals across species of birds has declined as well in many cases due to human activity, especially since the industrial revolution, severely affecting genetic variation, biodiversity, among other issues.
The Chief Wildlife Warden said that all the districts will be covered under this exercise. Many other volunteer bird watchers show their interest to participate in this exercise. This exercise will be done in two days.
For this, the district wildlife officers have been directed to assist the participant in this exercise with field functionaries along with the volunteer bird watchers.
Moreover, the officers have been asked to form separate teams of each district accompanied by an inspector, sub-inspector with all the available equipments like binoculars and telescope among others.
They need to ensure that all the field functionaries must be in their departmental uniform, he said, adding the bird watcher teams should be provided all the possible help in this exercise.
Tanwar said that all the divisional wildlife officers have been directed to remain in contact with the team members during this exercise.
If any kind of help required from the territorial wings than the concerned DWLO will discuss with the concerned DFO, territorial, he said, adding, this exercise will be started at 7 am on January 12 and completed by 5 pm.
If any district will not be able to complete this exercise on January 12 due to any reason than it will be done on January 19.
Another wildlife officer said that the distribution, numbers and behaviour of birds are changing over the period of time because of various reasons.
The population of the black partridge (kala teetar), Haryan state bird, sparrow among others has been decreasing over the past few years.
As of now, there are no exact figures of the population of many bird species in the state.
He said, "After completion of the counting, more effective measures would be taken to conserve wildlife in State.”
He further said that the bird count will be conducted with the assistance of a team representing wildlife institute, forest department and avian experts belonging to various organisations in and around the State.
The teams for bird count have already been divided and one team member is expected to travel at least 20 kilometers to count the birds during the exercise.
In the last year 2019, 50, 000 wetland birds of 520 different species were counted by the team members.
The Wildlife officer further said that the district officers have been advised to provide drinking water and eatables during this exercise to all the participants in each district.
All the teams of each district will share their list of birds noticed during this exercise at the end of this event.
Follow the instructions accordingly and make this event a successful event, he added.