Delhi Zoo launches weekly bird walks to encourage public participation in biodiversity conservation

Delhi Zoo on Sunday launched a citizen science initiative to encourage public participation in bird monitoring and biodiversity conservation through weekly bird-watching sessions within its premises.

The inaugural edition of the ‘Sunday Bird Walk – National Zoological Park’ was held from 6.30 am to 9.30 am under the guidance of ornithologist Dr Paritosh Ahmad and a team of birding volunteers, according to a statement.

Of the 58 registered applicants, 23 people, including birdwatchers, students, nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers, took part in the walk. The zoo’s director and other officials also took part.

The participants documented 33 bird species and recorded sightings of more than 100 individual birds across different parts of the zoo, the National Zoological Park (NZP), also known as the Delhi Zoo, said in the statement.

It said the initiative has been designed as a citizen science platform to help document avian diversity while familiarising participants with scientific methods of bird observation, identification and data recording.

Species recorded during the walk included Indian Peafowl, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Asian Koel, Painted Stork, Indian Cormorant, Black-crowned Night Heron, White-throated Kingfisher, Brown-headed Barbet, and Rose-ringed Parakeet, among others.

Addressing the participants, Ahmad spoke about bird identification, behaviour and ecological significance. He highlighted the role of birds in maintaining ecological balance through activities such as seed dispersal, pollination, pest control and ecosystem monitoring.

The event concluded with an interactive discussion session and a group photograph involving participants, experts and zoo officials, according to the statement.

Officials said the bird walk will now be organised every Sunday morning, with participation limited to 20 individuals per session.

The programme is open to people aged 18 years and above, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through the zoo’s official website and the NZP Sathi mobile application, it added.

Selected participants will be required to report at the zoo entrance by 6.15 am, while the bird-watching session will take place from 6.30 am to 9.30 am.

The official said the initiative is expected to help generate biodiversity records while promoting awareness about conservation among the public.