Kerala Bird Atlas 2.0 launched
Forest Minister Shibu Baby John formally launched the Kerala Bird Atlas 2.0 in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. The second edition of the citizen science initiative, which
Forest Minister Shibu Baby John formally launched the Kerala Bird Atlas 2.0 in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. The second edition of the citizen science initiative, which is being initiated five years after the first State-wide bird atlas was released, will repeat the systematic surveys that had been conducted across Kerala to document changes that have occurred over the years. The bird atlas surveys will be done twice a year, from mid July- mid September, and from mid January-mid March.
As part of the survey protocol, the state has been divided into grids, quadrants and sub-cells for effective sampling. According to the organisers, the first atlas provided insights into the status and distribution of Kerala’s birds, particularly common species whose populations are often poorly monitored. By repeating the surveys at regular intervals, the project will likely enable scientists and conservationists to track long-term changes in bird distributions and abundance.
The findings are expected to provide valuable indicators of ecological change that could ensure informed conservation planning and policy. Launching the programme, the Forest Minister stressed on the need to ensure a delicate balance in ecological conservation. The State government worked towards attaining peaceful co-existence involving human beings, wildlife and other living organisms. At the same time, the government also recognises the hardships faced by the farming community residing on forest fringe areas.
Chief Wildlife Warden P. Pugazhendi, Kerala State Biodiversity Board chairperson N. Anilkumar, wildlife biologist P.O. Nameer and erstwhile Travancore royal family member Adithya Varma also spoke on the occasion.
The BriefWire