Chennai, Jan 25 (BPNS)
Tamil Nadu forest department is to conduct a bird census on January 28 and 29 in coordination with Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and technical support from Universal Eco Foundation and Indigenous Biodiversity Foundation (IBF), a non–profit organization.
The census will be carried out by a 50 member team of volunteers from Myladuthurai and Tiruchi districts. Students of Pondicherry University will also be part of the survey that commences from 6 am to 10 am on January 28 and 29.
Villupuram District Forest Officer, Sumesh Soman while speaking to BPNS said, “ The census will be carried out simultaneously at Kazhuveli bird sanctuary, Oussudu bird sanctuary, and Yedayinthittu estuary. The participants will be divided into groups and 12 transect lines are planned including 8 in Kazhuveli and 2 each in Yedayinthittu and Oussudu.”
The census will be covering important bird areas adjoining the sanctuaries and will be conducted in accordance with international norms. Forest officials said that during a pre bird census conducted by a team led by Dr. S. Balachandran, Scientist, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) on January 14 and 15, 47 bird species were spotted. Around 17,565 birds were also spotted at Kazhuveli bird sanctuary.
Forest Department officials of Tamil Nadu said that the second phase of the bird census will cover inland water birds and the third phase will cover terrestrial birds and the dates for these surveys will be finalized soon.
