Delhi Bird Atlas summer survey flagged off at Lodhi Garden

Delhi formally commenced its summer census of avian diversity on Sunday morning with the launch of the Delhi Bird Atlas Summer Survey at Lodhi Garden, according to an official statement.

Nearly 100 birdwatchers, volunteers, students, wildlife experts and conservationists gathered to mark the start of this large-scale citizen science initiative, which aims to map the birdlife of the national capital.

The survey was officially flagged off by Shyam Sundar Kandpal, Chief Wildlife Warden of Delhi, and Dr Dipankar Ghose, Senior Director of Biodiversity Conservation at WWF-India, amidst a lively crowd of citizens of all ages.

Speaking at the event, Kandpal stressed the vital role of community participation in conservation efforts. “This unique initiative by the Birding Community of Delhi will truly reflect the city’s ecological health, its greenery, its beauty, and the excellent maintenance of Delhi’s parks – as birds will only thrive where the environment is well cared for,” he said.

“This effort will significantly advance the environmental cause in Delhi,” he added.

Dr Ghose highlighted the importance of such initiatives in enhancing scientific knowledge and fostering environmental stewardship.

“Creating an atlas like this is no small feat. It demands dedication, patience, and a shared passion for nature. The Delhi Bird Atlas is a much-needed and truly exceptional endeavour to chart the rich biodiversity of our capital,” he said.

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The findings from the survey will be compiled into a detailed report and will also contribute to the annual State of the Birds report and other conservation publications.

Organised by a consortium of conservation organisations – including the Delhi Forest Department, Bird Count India, WWF-India, Delhi Bird Foundation, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), Asian Adventures, and Wildlife SOS – the survey will run through May and June 2025. Volunteers will cover more than 145 subcells across Delhi’s green spaces, wetlands, and urban habitats.

In preparation, volunteers attended training sessions throughout April, and seven clusters have been formed to ensure systematic coverage of different zones. Senior birders and experts will mentor the survey teams to ensure robust and accurate data collection.

Highlighting the role of technology in modern birding, senior birder and cluster head Dr Rajesh Kalra said, “Merlin and eBird are incredible tools that make birdwatching and data recording much more accessible. But beyond that, it’s about inspiring the next generation of birders with our shared passion,” the statement added.