Imphal: In commemoration of the upcoming International Day for Biological Diversity, the Ukhrul Forest Division, in collaboration with the Environmental Force at Grass root Level (ENFOGAL), successfully conducted a comprehensive three-day Bird Census Program at the scenic landscapes of Shirui and Phangrei.
The extensive field exercise saw active participation from enthusiastic students of the Department of Zoology, Pettigrew College, Ukhrul bridging academic learning and practical conservation engaging directly with the region’s rich avian biodiversity.
The participants were introduced to: Bird Species Identification, Census Techniques & Digital Tools such as Merlin Bird ID & eBird.
Key Findings & Ecological Insights:
Over the course of the three-day rigorous census, the technical team led by Patrick Sangh of ENFOGAL, Dr. Gaikhuanlung Ngaomei, Dr. Ersilla Jajo, Dr. Christian Erni, Shunringla Rungsung and student volunteers documented a vibrant avian ecosystem, yielding promising data for the region’s biodiversity mapping:
- Species Diversity: A total of 73 distinct bird species were identified.
- Population Count: 803 individual birds were recorded across the survey sites. This data will serve as a vital baseline inventory for the Forest Department to monitor the ecological health of the Shirui and Phangrei areas.
A Vision for Conservation:
During the interactive session, Forest Department officials emphasized the critical need for protecting wildlife biodiversity.
Laishram Gitla, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Ukhrul, highlighted that, “The core objective of aligning this census with the International Day for Biological Diversity is to instill a deep sense of environmental stewardship among the youth and transform them into young ambassadors of the region. By engaging local students in active scientific monitoring, the initiative aims to build a robust, community-led conservation movement capable of safeguarding the unique and fragile biodiversity of Ukhrul for future generations.”
The Ukhrul Forest Division remains committed to such participatory programs, recognizing that the protection of the forest is only possible through the active involvement of the local community, local organisations and the younger generation.
