Our country is home to hundreds of species of birds, hosts several migratory birds, and is also a stopover for many migrants. With the presence of so many birds across the country, bird count is a necessity while birdwatching becomes a pleasurable activity. To encourage birdwatching and species documentation, bird counts and other events are held around specific festivals and important days in a few States. The latest to join this growing list is Assam.
The Bihu Bird Count
In January 2020, Assam’s Bihu Bird Count was held for the first time, and it was conducted around one of the State’s largest festivals-Magh Bihu. It was held in association with Bird Count India, “an informal partnership of organizations and groups working together to increase our collective knowledge about bird distributions and populations. While counting the birds, the event also hopes to “spread knowledge and awareness about the beauty and importance of birds”. Interestingly, Assam celebrates Bihu thrice annually, and so the bird count happens as many times too. While Bhogali or Magh Bihu is observed in January, Rongali or Bohag Bihu is celebrated in April, and Kongali or Kati Bihu in October. In essence, “these programs are all about observing and counting wild birds at various times of the year. The most recent is the Kati Bihu bird count from October 15 to 18.
Other States
In 2017, Pakshi Saptah was held in Maharashtra in November to celebrate the joy of birds. The event commemorated the birth anniversaries of conservationist and naturalist Maruti Chitampalli and omnithologist and naturalist Salim Ali. In 2020, the Maharashtra government officially declared it an annual State event. The Pongal Bird Count happens in Tamil Nadu during the famous harvest festival every year. It has been held since 2015 by roping in experienced and skilled birders to encourage beginners into birdwatching The Onam Bird Count happens during the festival in Kerala annually. The idea is to get more people interested in birding, and to generate a yearly snapshot of the bird population in Kerala. It has been held since 2014.
Picture Credit : Google
