In a significant community-driven initiative, close to 200 volunteers took part in the Synchronized Bird Census 2025, organized by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department across Madurai district over the weekend. This annual wetland bird survey, now in its fourth consecutive year since its inception in 2023, saw enthusiastic participation from college students, birdwatchers, NGO members, and forest officials.
Massive Public Participation Drives Census
The census operation was a synchronized effort conducted simultaneously across all districts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday and Sunday. District Forest Officer Revti Raman emphasized that this synchronicity is crucial to prevent the double counting of birds, ensuring more accurate data collection. He stated that while public involvement has been highly encouraging, a minimum of five years of consistent data is required to identify reliable trends in bird populations. "Drawing conclusions by merely comparing this year's observations with previous years' data is not feasible," Raman told reporters, highlighting the long-term nature of the ecological study.
The event commenced with a comprehensive training session for volunteers led by forest officials on Saturday. Forest Range Officer K Venish coordinated the participation of approximately 150 college students from eight different institutions. They were joined by seasoned birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and members of various non-governmental organizations, creating a diverse team of observers.
First-Time Experiences and Expert Insights
For many, like volunteer Devi Arivuchelvam, it was a first-of-its-kind experience. "From 6 am to 11:30 am on Sunday, I spotted hundreds of birds of a single species. It was a lovely experience," she shared, adding that the expert-led identification sessions and informative pamphlets provided were extremely useful.
Ornithologist Badri Narayanan, who conducted a key session on bird identification, reported an excellent response from volunteers this year. He noted the growing interest in birdwatching but pointed out a parallel need for more experts to train the expanding pool of volunteers. A notable highlight from the census was the sighting of an osprey, a relatively rare migratory bird that appears only intermittently in the Madurai region.
Focus on Wetland Habitats and Future Goals
The census focused exclusively on wetland habitats in its first phase, covering 25 specific wetland sites across the district. P R Vishwanath, founder of the Thirunagar Pakkam NGO, which sent about 10 volunteers, observed that relatively good water levels in local kanmois (tanks) facilitated the spotting of a wide variety of bird species. He also expressed his delight at seeing the keenness to learn among the many college students.
Forest department officials outlined the core objectives of the annual program:
- Strengthening community participation in conservation efforts.
- Assessing the condition of key habitats and identifying potential threats.
- Pinpointing major breeding sites like heronries.
- Tracking populations of endemic, endangered, and migratory species to inform long-term conservation planning.
The synchronized census in Madurai stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit between the state forest department and the public, aiming to build a robust scientific baseline for the protection of avian biodiversity in Tamil Nadu's vital wetland ecosystems.
