New: 30 November 2023, Hindi Webinar for front-line forest staff on identifying egrets and cormorants. [Click here for the recording]
With its abundant forests and diverse biodiversity, India is a haven for nature enthusiasts. As the main custodians of this natural richness, the various State Forest Departments play a key role in maintaining the integrity of our ecological treasures.
Among these rich landscapes, birds contribute significantly to the delicate balance of our natural world. Recognising the importance of these avian ambassadors, many State Forest Departments are taking initiatives to encourage birdwatchers to document their observations on eBird and collaborate with partners of the Bird Count India collective.
Thank you to all the Forest Departments and citizen birdwatchers for advancing our knowledge of Indian birds. Click here to hear some thoughts about what State Forest Departments can do to help better assess the status of our Indian birds.
A Signboard in Keoladeo NP (Bharatpur). Photo by K A Subramanian, Zoological Survey of India
Quick links to State-specific bird documentation/monitoring efforts
Andhra Pradesh | Arunachal Pradesh | Bihar | Chhattisgarh
Goa | Gujarat | Himachal Pradesh | Jammu & Kashmir
Karnataka | Kerala | Madhya Pradesh | Maharashtra
Nagaland | Odisha | Rajasthan | Tamil Nadu | Uttarakhand | West Bengal
Andhra Pradesh
- Tirupati Bird Atlas: In 2022, Andhra Pradesh Forest Department and IISER, Tirupati completed the first bird atlas for the state from Tirupati.
- Asian Waterbird Census: Since 2018 onwards the forest department along with BNHS has been conducting the annual waterbird census at at Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary,
Arunachal Pradesh
- Kamlang Tiger Reserve participated in GBBC in February 2023.
- Pakke Tiger Reserve conducted a bird count as a part of the Pakke Bird Festival in January 2023.
- In June 2022, Hapoli Forest Division and Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club conducted a workshop on bird monitoring at Ziro.
Bihar
- In September and October 2023, the Bihar Forest Department organised bird documentation workshops for the front-line staff of Begusarai, Jamui, and Darbhanga.
Chhattisgarh
- In November 2022, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department organised its inaugural systematic bird survey in the forests of Kanger Valley National Park, Bastar.
Goa
- Goa Bird Atlas: Ongoing with the collaboration of the Goa Forest Department from June 2023.
- At Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Forest Department and GBCN collaborated to map the birds of this protected area over a year in 2017-18.
Gujarat
- Passage Migrant Count: The Gujarat Forest Department provides logistical support for the count held annually since 2022.
Himachal Pradesh
- The Wildlife Wing of Himachal Pradesh Forest Department conducts Great Backyard Bird Count every year since 2017.
Jammu & Kashmir
- Forest Guards Training School conducted GBBC at Akhnoor during GBBC 2017 along with their training.
Karnataka
- Bannerghatta National Park conducted a bird survey in February 2022.
- Nagarahole Tiger Reserve conducted a bird survey in January 2022.
Kerala
- Kerala Bird Atlas: The Kerala Forest Department collaborated with several local organisations for the now concluded Kerala Bird Atlas during 2015-2021.
- The Kerala Forest Department organises several bird surveys every year in protected areas and reserve forests including Periyar Tiger Reserve, Munnar Forest Division, and Achankovil Forest Division. Survey lists from as old as 1994 has also been digitised.
- Aralam Wildlife Division and MNHS has been conducting annual bird survey in Aralam WLS since 2018 (historically since 2001).
- Kozhikode Wildlife Division and MNHS has been conducting annual bird survey in Malabar WLS since 2018 (historically since 2004).
Madhya Pradesh
- The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has been organising annual bird surveys since 2017 in many of its protected areas, including Satpura Tiger Reserve, Panna Tiger Reserve, and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Panna Tiger Reserve conducted two bird surveys in 2022.
- In March 2023, Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve conducted a bird survey.
- In January & June 2022, Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary and Tinsa Ecological Foundation conducted two bird surveys.
- Satpura Tiger Reserve has been conducting annual bird survey since 2018.
- In March 2017, Kanha Tiger Reserve conducted the first systematic bird survey in the Central Indian Highlands and since then has been conducting annually.
- In January 2024, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve will have its first bird survey.
Maharashtra
- The Maharashtra Forest Department has been engaged in organising bird surveys in their protected areas, such as Melghat Tiger Reserve and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. The second bird survey in Melghat TR will be from December 2023 to January 2024.
- The Navegaon- Nagzira Tiger Reserve has been organising bird surveys since 2023. The dates for the second survey are 5th- 8th January 2024.
- Sanjay Gandhi National Park along with BNHS conduct monthly bird surveys as a part of long-term monitoring efforts during 2021-25.
Nagaland
- The Nagaland Forest Department, particularly the Wokha Forest Division, is a key organiser for the annual Tokhü Emong Bird Count since 2022. Honourable Union Minister of Ministry of Environment Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Shri Bhupendra Yadav, inaugurated TEBC 2023.
Odisha
- In March 2023, Satkosia Tiger reserve conducted a bird survey.
Rajasthan
- The Rajasthan Forest Department organized bird documentation workshops for bird guides and front-line staff in Bharatpur and Jaipur.
Tamil Nadu
- Namakkal and Attur Forest Divisions along with SoF conducted six synchronised bird surveys, both terrestrial and wetland, in 2022 and 2003.
Uttarakhand
- Tarai East Forest division and Oriental Trails conducted a bird and butterfly survey in January 2023
- In June 2022, Nainital Forest Division and Oriental Trails conducted a bird survey in Naina Devi Bird Conservation Reserve.
- Uttarakhand forest department conducts annual bird surveys in Asan since 2018 (historically since 2010).
- Uttarakhand forest department conducts annual bird surveys in Benog since 2018 (historically since 2015).
Note: It’s important to note that this compilation is continually expanding, with the commitment to incorporate additional instances. If you are aware of any Forest Department initiatives involved in bird monitoring through eBird and/or Bird Count India, please let us know and we will add here. For any comments, mistakes, or clarifications, please feel free to reach out to us via WhatsApp at 90081 96098 or email us at [email protected]. Your feedback is valuable to us.
West Bengal
West Bengal Forest Department is collaborating with Saving Tiger Society & PCS – INDIA for the upcoming Sundarban Winter Bird Survey (4 January- 6 January, 2024).
updated on 07-12-2023
Header Image: Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura by Saswat Mishra/ Macaulay Library
