: WWF-India, in association with the Social Forestry Division of the Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department, is embarking on yet another important documentation of birds of the capital district. The Asian Waterfowl Census 2015 will be carried out on Saturday in Thiruvananthapuram, in and around the Punchakkari paddy fields, Vellayani Lake, Aruvikkara Reservoir, Akkulam Lake, Poovar and Veli.
The survey is a worldwide estimation process of waterbirds as waterbirds are considered to be one of the best health indicators of wetlands. The data from the AWC contribute to the identification and monitoring of wetlands of international and national importance. It will also assist decision-makers in designating sites to the Convention on Wetlands, aimed at protecting threatened species and assessing value of wetlands, says WWF State Director, Renjan Mathew Varghese.
The data will be fed into an international programme to maintain an overview of the population size, status and trends of waterbirds.
The Common Bird Monitoring Programme (CBMP) will be held in February.
Birders and volunteers will observe common birds in and around their immediate surroundings and upload it on a website ‘ebird.org’ for data compilation and analysis at the district level.
The orientation session for both the programmes will be held at the IHRD Conference Hall, Social Forestry Division, Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department, PTP Nagar, at 3 p.m. on January 9.
Those who would like to participate can send an SMS to 94473 86978 or e-mail towwfklso@gmail.com.
