The Regional Coordinators (RC) will serve as the main link between the regional birding community and Bird Count India collective. Here is more about the Regional Coordinator Program.
If you wish to know about birds and birding monitoring programs in the following states, please contact the coordinators listed below. Kindly note, our regional coordinators are doing this out of their interest. They have their full time jobs, and many often travel extensively. Kindly be patient if you do not receive an immediate response to your query.
If you have any inquiries regarding birding or bird-related information, you can reach out to us in the following ways: Email: [email protected]; WhatsApp: 9008196098
Arunachal Pradesh
Koj Mama
Koj Mama, the founder and president of the Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club, established the club in 2012. The club’s primary goal is to raise awareness among the state’s population. To achieve this, the club has conducted numerous bird workshops, awareness campaigns, and surveys in community forests across various districts. These initiatives aim to engage local communities in areas prone to bird hunting and trapping. One such ongoing project is the Ziro Bird Walk, launched in 2019. This monthly event involves community members. Additionally, bird surveys have been conducted in East Siang, Leparada, Tawang, Kamle, Kra Daadi, and Lower Subansiri districts.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Dorjee Bachung
Dorjee was born and raised in West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh. He completed his graduation in Geography from Government College, Bomdila. Although initially interested in birds as a young boy, his interest was negative as he hunted them. However, after attending nature education camps, he discovered the joy of birdwatching and its significance. He has been birding and working as a bird guide for six years. Dorjee is grateful for the opportunity to learn about the fascinating world of birds.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Aito Miwu
Aito is from Anini, Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh. He holds a Master’s degree in Law and works as a government employee. His true passion lies at the intersection of culture and nature. He has always viewed the environment through a cultural lens, recognizing that the traditions and values of indigenous communities are not merely cultural artifacts but vital practices that have nurtured and safeguarded our natural world for generations. He firmly believes that the cultural wisdom passed down through these communities is essential for the conservation of both nature and wildlife, fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and the environment. This belief drives his commitment to advocating for the protection of both cultural heritage and the natural ecosystems that it sustains.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Assam
Rofikul Islam
Rofikul aka Rofik grew up watching tourists from various countries visiting his village- Kaziranga, Assam. Seeing them watching birds through binoculars inspired him to take up birding so that one day he too could travel with them. It was only in 2007, at the age of 17, that his dream came true–joining as a bird guide with a company called All India Birding Tours. He now leads birding tours in various parts of northeast India and Bhutan for Indian and international birders. Whenever he can he tries to nudge his clients to upload their bird observations in eBird. His most special memory in birding is the sighting of eight Blyth’s Tragopan on a single morning in Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. In the year 2018, he did a big year in India clocking 936 species. During his big year, the most exciting moment was when he and his team recorded the last bird of the year and a lifer–A long-billed Dowitcher in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Some of his favourite birding destinations are Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Namdapha National Park, and Dihing Patkai National Park.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile`
Jaydev Mandal
Jaydev’s lifelong fascination with nature and its diverse creatures began during his childhood, working alongside his grandfather on their farm. His first encounter with a flock of Scarlet Minivets left a lasting impact on his heart. This experience ignited his eagerness to take an interest in birds. He has been involved in the Asian Water Bird Census, collaborating closely with the forest department. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology at Madhab Choudhury College, Barpeta, Assam, Jayadev remains deeply committed to citizen science programs and promotes birding in Assam and the broader North-Eastern region through initiatives like the Bihu Bird Count (BBC) under the umbrella of Assam Bird Monitoring Network (ABMN).
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Amrit Raha
Born and raised on the beautiful islands of Andamans and Nicobar, Amrit always had a natural affinity towards the outdoors. Amrit has been living this dream by working and pursuing his hobby in his homeland. He works as a constable in India Reserve Battalion and frequently travels to far-flung Islands islands of Narcondam, Tillangchong, Louis -in-let Bay, Interview Isle, and many more. He is grateful to all the wonderful officers who have instilled a passion for birds and bird photography in him. Since 2013, Amrit has been photographing birds and over the years he has also started uploading his sightings to eBird. He vividly remembers his first visit to Narcondam Islands where he saw 15 Narcondam Hornbills. He is a part of the Andamans Avian Club (AAC) which conducts environmental programs in the Andamans and Nicobar Islands. He organises, coordinates, and participates in birding-related activities such as bird races, bird walks, and talks during GBBC, Endemic Bird Day.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Shakti Vel
Shakti, born and raised in the Andaman Islands, has loved nature and wildlife since his mother let him watch TV. He grew up watching Discovery Channel and followed his interest. After completing his post-graduate degree in marine biology, he spent five years working as a marine biologist, performing underwater surveys to research the biodiversity of coral reefs while scuba diving in the most isolated islands in the Andaman, Nicobar, and Lakshadweep archipelago. Today, he runs a tour company called Tribesmen that specializes in birding tours in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. He views himself as a hybrid between a birder and a bird photographer. He devotes many hours outdoors- studying birds and observing their behaviour. He believes this would improve his skills to become a better wildlife photographer. Although living far away from the mainland he has traveled much across the country often on his motorcycle and spotted over 700 species of birds.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Andhra Pradesh
Raja Bandi
Raja has a deep passion for birdwatching, wildlife analysis—particularly big cats’ tracks—and promoting biodiversity conservation through nature education. Leading nature walks for both children and adults, he aims to foster a connection with the natural world. Networking with stakeholders across diverse landscapes is a key focus, as he believe positive changes can emerge through collaboration. He loves traveling, mostly food expeditions. He enjoys working on natural history investigations, focusing on historical records of birds and animals in Andhra Pradesh. The Eastern Ghats, an underexplored biodiversity hotspot, holds his strong interest. Currently, and he aims to document and support the long-term research initiatives in this region. Currently, he is working towards engaging citizens in local projects to enhance their capacity for conserving rare and vulnerable wildlife, while promoting a deeper understanding of biodiversity in the landscape.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Bihar
Rahul Kumar
Rahul has experience in wildlife conservation through his work with WTI, ZSI, and the state forest department. He has also conducted education and awareness programs with BNHS. He is the state coordinator for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) and has also been coordinating the City Nature Challenge in Bihar. Additionally, he participated in dolphin surveys and the People’s Biodiversity Register update. Rahul holds degrees in Zoology and has been involved in independent research and conservation efforts through the Bihar Paryavaran Sanrakshan Abhiyan (BIPSA).
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Chandigarh
Rima Dhillon
Rima a passionate birder since childhood, founded the Chandigarh Bird Club in 2010. She was the club secretary from 2012 to 2022, She has served as the Secretary on the club committee from 2012 to 2022 and is currently its President. Her passion, ignited by childhood observations in Shimla, has led her to organize numerous birding events and actively advocate for wildlife conservation. She has been spearheading many of the club activities involving monthly fieldtrips, bird walks and talks in schools and colleges. She has also been actively involved in birding programmes such as Asian Waterfowl Census, Big Bird Day and House Sparrow Day. Rima is an executive member of the Avian Habitat & Wetland Society and a life member of the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL). She has also served two terms on the Punjab Wildlife Board, advocating for habitat conservation.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Chhattisgarh
Mohit Sahu
Mohit’s acquaintance with the forests and nature started at a very early age. His father being in the Indian Forest Service, was fortunate to see, rather be a part of, some very pristine forests of central India. At the age of 5, he was able to tell apart different species of birds. In his adult life, he participated in many animal and bird censuses. In 1999, Mohit enrolled in an Ornithology course conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) where he got the chance of learning about birds in a more scientific manner. Since the 1990’s he has been participating in the Waterbird Census conducted by Wetland International and is a member of the State Wetland Authority of Chhattisgarh. He has worked with the Centre for Environmental Education (CEE) and thereby instilling a sense of responsibility towards nature and wildlife in the minds of school children. He was part of a training program on techniques for monitoring animal populations conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Forest Department, at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Hakimuddin F Saify
Hakimuddin aka HFS grew up in Raipur. As a kid his interest in wildlife was nurtured by his mother and was introduced to birds through a book gifted by his father. Early in his career working as a management consultant got him into traveling which in turn got him closer to exploring jungles of India. His passion for wildlife grew leaps & bound once he got into birdwatching and now it’s a part of his long term goals in life. He has participated and led many bird surveys in protected areas of central India–Kanha Bird Survey, Satpura Bird Surveys, and so on. He often engages with local communities, forest department, schools and colleges to popularise birding and bird monitoring efforts in Chhattisgarh.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Delhi-NCR
Pankaj Gupta
Pankaj, a former Chef at ITC, has transitioned into entrepreneurship, managing his own cloud kitchens and a restaurant. Alongside his culinary pursuits, he has been deeply engaged in birding since 2008, devoting nearly 15 years to exploring and documenting avian diversity. As an environmentalist and Ebird Reviewer for Delhi NCR, he is dedicated to the conservation of the natural world, particularly the preservation of bird habitats and species. His journey from the kitchen to the outdoors exemplifies his passion for both culinary arts and environmental advocacy
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Goa
Pronoy Baidya
Pronoy, coordinator of a research program at Arannya Environment Research Organisation (AERO), a Goa-based NGO, is an ecologist with diverse interests, including birds and ants. His passion for birdwatching began in rural Tamil Nadu during his childhood, and his encounter with the Oriental Darter at Carambolim Dhado (IBA in Goa) sparked his journey into ecology. Currently, he serves as the Goa coordinator for the Asian Waterbird Census, an active eBird reviewer for Goa and Puducherry, and is a founding member of the Goa Bird Conservation Network. Dr. Baidya also leads the Goa Bird Atlas Initiative and has published research papers on Goa’s avian species. Notably, he has even described a new ant species in scientific literature. Through AERO, he strives to make nature watching and environmental education inclusive for all, particularly working closely with individuals with disabilities. Driven by his vision, he hopes for a future where nature observation is integrated into school curricula and envisions a society that views the environment with empathy and logic.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Gujarat
Dhaval Vargiya
Dhaval, a Program Officer at Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development, holds a PhD focused on the wetlands of Porbandar, Gujarat. His research covered heavy metals, pesticide toxicity, and waterbird population dynamics. He founded the Mokarsagar Wetland Conservation Committee, contributing to the recognition of Mokarsagar Wetland Complex as an Important Bird Area. Dr. Vargiya actively volunteers as an eBird state reviewer and Asian Waterbird Census state coordinator. He also serves as a consulting editor for ‘Flamingo‘, a Gujarat Birds bulletin, and has discovered new avian species for Gujarat and India, including Siberian Thrush, Jounin’s Petrel, and European Honey Buzzard
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Jammu and Kashmir
Irfan Jeelani
Irfan is a passionate birdwatcher and the founder of the birding club ‘Birds Of Kashmir’. He has been actively involved in birding across Kashmir and Ladakh for the past decade. Alongside his team, they have successfully documented numerous birds from the Western Himalayas, some of which mark ‘first records’ for the region. Together, the team has inspired a wave of interest among the youth, leading to a significant shift in bird watching and conservation efforts in these areas. Having extensively traveled and studied the various habitats of the Kashmir Himalayas, Irfan has delved into the world of endemic birds in Kashmir. His observations on their behavior have raised critical concerns about factors impacting these species. With a vision for the future, he aims to establish bird clubs in every school and college across Kashmir in the coming years.
Email: [email protected]
Jharkhand
Sushil Kumar
Sushil is a master mariner by profession, a role that takes him to different parts of the world to witness nature’s beauty. His interest in birds was ignited at sea after observing and photographing various seabirds, particularly the magnificent frigate bird, albatrosses, and boobies. He spends half his time on pelagic birding and the other half birding in Ranchi. Since becoming deeply passionate about birding in 2020, he has realized that Jharkhand lags behind other states in bird records. Committed to improving the state’s bird data, he tries not to miss any opportunity to watch and document birds whenever visiting new places.
Email: [email protected]; eBird profile
Karnataka
Deepa Mohan
Deepa used to be a theatre reviewer, Carnatic musician, and teacher and now calls herself a wildlife volunteer and a bird/nature educator. She has been birding since 2006, and has traveled all over the country and the world in pursuit of this passion. She has been conducting bird walks for the public, and many reputed schools and educational institutions such as IIM-B, IISc, for many years now. She’s been a regular contributor on eBird. You can see her blogs on birding at: https://deponti.livejournal.com/tag/birding
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
S. Subramanya
Subramanya, aka ‘Subbu,’ is a retired academic and former faculty member at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bangalore. With over 45 years of birding experience, he worked alongside Dr. Salim Ali on the Bird Migration Project of the Bombay Natural History Society. He has made significant contributions to bird conservation, including establishing pelican conservation efforts at Kokkare Bellur and the declaration of various sites as Biodiversity Heritage Sites and Ramsar Sites. Dr. Subramanya is a member of the Storks, Spoonbills, and Ibises Specialist Group of the IUCN and actively involved in the Asian Waterbird Census and Indian Bird Conservation Network. Since retirement, he has been volunteering with the Karnataka State Forest Department to support bird conservation efforts. During 2018-19 he undertook a dream project to retrace Dr. Salim Ali’s foot steps to re-conduct his 1939-40 Mysore Bird Survey by visiting the same localities on the same dates, but after 78 years. In 2019, he was involved in a satellite tracking project with the Australasian Wader Studies Group, which for the first-time revealed that Oriental Pratincoles (Glareola maldivarum) undertake a loop-migration to travel from north-western Australia to breed in India. Presently, he has been researching 18th and 19th century Indian bird paintings in collaboration with McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Intensely passionate about studying birds, Subbu wishes to help support birdwatching/Indian Ornithology happen in every sphere.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Shivashankar Manjunatha
Shivashankar holds a post-graduate degree in embedded systems, and his journey began in the piligrim town of Udupi. Growing up in the picturesque Malnad region of Karnataka, his connection with nature was inevitable. With his hobby for nature and wildlife photography, he explored the twin districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, capturing the region’s diverse flora and fauna. He has also co-authored two notable books, namely “Birds of Southern Coastal Karnataka” and “Birds of Nitte University Campus.” These publications showcase his extensive knowledge and commitment to understanding and documenting the avian species found in these regions. He surveys pelagic birds in coastal Karnataka, adding new records to India and Karnataka state. The surveys face challenges like logistics, photographing birds from a moving boat, and identifying them. Each survey brings new experiences.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Shivaprakash Adavanne
Shivaprakash is a naturalist with field experience of over 3 decades. It all started as a hobby initiated during trekking and then leading to biodiversity monitoring and documentation. He along with with fellow naturalists, interested folks, NGOs, governmental departments and organisations have been documenting biodiversity of Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts in Mysore. He has assisted in identification of Conservation priority areas, such as Important Bird Areas (IBAs), National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Thanks to efforts put in documentation some of the sites are to be considered as Ramsar sites. He has been part of the Mysore City Bird Atlas. He regularly conducts nature walks for nature enthusiasts– sharing his knowledge of Mysore’s biodiversity. Besides birds, he has also been documenting other life forms- mammals, plants, odonata, amphibians, spiders, butterflies, and insects.
Email: [email protected]
Sahana M
Sahana is an avid traveler, trekker, and mountaineer who later turned into a bird and nature watcher. Birdwatching for more than 15 years, she has trekked in most of the Himalayan ranges to document birds. She loves to explore new regions and habitats and thoroughly enjoys the surprises they have. Also, she loves to do solo travelling and solo birding. She believes that solo birding allows her to connect with nature and birds more, in turn, helps in understanding their vocalization. She has volunteered for Mysure Bird Atlas, the Kerala State Bird atlas and several other bird censuses. Her favourite birding destinations are the Western Ghats, North Karnataka and the Himalayas. Now she is more interested in documenting the bird calls and their behaviour through videos that she contributes to eBird. She does bird monitoring in some patches in her hometown Mysuru to understand the adaptation of birds towards urbanization. She also volunteers for the Patch-monitoring Project of Bird Count India.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Kerala
P O Nameer
P.O. Nameer, is Professor of Wildlife Science with the Centre for Wildlife Studies at Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur. He has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher and researcher. Nameer is a passionate wildlife biologist and spends quite a lot of his time in the field. He works extensively in the biodiversity hotspot, the Western Ghats and has a fairly good understanding of the landscape, its biota, and the dynamics, including the ecological, social and economic dimensions. He is the South Asian coordinator of the Conservation Planning Specialist Group of IUCN and the Kerala State coordinator of the Asian Waterbird Census & Indian Bird Conservation Network. He is also an adviser to the Government of Kerala on different matters pertaining to the environment, ecology and wildlife. Has organised more than 200 bird/wildlife surveys in the forests, wetlands and other landscapes in Kerala, since 1990. His current work includes biodiversity documentation of the Western Ghats, the study of the impact of climate change on the different taxa, citizen science etc. He has authored the first-ever Checklist on Indian Mammals and co-authored the first-ever Bird Atlas for any of the Indian states.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Rathish R. L
Rathish R. L is a dedicated veterinarian and faculty member at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad. His birdwatching journey began as a personal hobby, seamlessly merging with his professional endeavors. Under the umbrella project – Kerala Bird Atlas, he has actively participated in organising atlas activities in Wayanad. His fervent enthusiasm for avian life has cultivated strong ties with numerous birding groups across Kerala. Through his outreach efforts, he aims to raise awareness about bird conservation among people from all backgrounds. With his expertise and collaborative approach, he plays a key role in connecting and supporting birders and conservationists across Kerala, aiding in the preservation of the state’s diverse birdlife.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Ladakh
Lozang Visuddha
Lobzang- Founder Chairman of the Wildlife Conservation and Birds Club of Ladakh (WCBCL) and the Wildlife Tour Operators Association (WTOA) in Leh, is a dedicated conservationist and advocate for Ladakh’s rich wildlife. Through WCBCL, he has spearheaded groundbreaking programs such as Nature Guide and Birding Guide Training, Nature Trails Expeditions, and Mass Cleanup drives in wildlife habitats. His efforts include celebrating Ladakh’s wildlife through photo exhibitions and the publication of ‘Jungwa’ magazine, the region’s only wildlife-focused journal. As a co-author of ‘BIRDS OF LADAKH’ and ‘MAMMALS OF LADAKH’, published by WCBCL in collaboration with G.B. Pant National Institute, Leh Ladakh, Lobzang has contributed significantly to the documentation of Ladakh’s biodiversity. Additionally, under WTOA, he has pioneered sustainable wildlife tourism initiatives, collaborating with local communities to regulate wildlife tours in sensitive areas. Lobzang Visuddha’s decade-long commitment to wildlife conservation in Ladakh continues to make a lasting impact
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Sonam Choldan Gasha
Sonam is a birder, photographer, and a wildlife enthusiast from Ladakh, has been a core member of the Wildlife Conservation and Birds Club of Ladakh (WCBCL) for a decade. This community-based organization, led by young and passionate individuals, focuses on wildlife conservation in the region. Choldan’s journey with wildlife started in 2012 when he began offering tour guide services to tourists. Today, he is one of Ladakh’s top e-Birders, with his photos featured in publications like Hindustan Times. He was credited in the journal Indian BIRDS for the first sighting of the Rough-legged Buzzard in India. With a Master’s Degree in Ancient Indian History, his interest in Ladakh’s petroglyphs led to discoveries through the NGO Rock Art Resource Centre. Professionally, he works for the Civil Supplies Department in Leh.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Lakshadweep
Aju K Raju
Aju was born in Pathanamthitta and is currently based in Ernakulam, Kerala. He holds a Master’s degree in Zoology and works as a Senior Technical Assistant at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). His journey with birds began during his Master’s program in 2014. Since then, he has explored birdlife across seas, wetlands, forests, grasslands, and urban landscapes. His primary area of interest is seabirds, and he is currently pursuing doctoral research on seabird distribution patterns along India’s southwestern waters. Over the past few years, he has been regularly monitoring the birds of the Lakshadweep Islands, driven by his passion for understanding the distribution and ecology of seabird populations in this unique island ecosystem.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Madhya Pradesh
Praver Mourya
From the time he can remember, Praver has always been fascinated with watching birds. During his brief stint with Bird Count India, he conducted bird surveys in remote regions of Madhya Pradesh. He has also organised and participated in bird surveys in Central India. He possesses a keen ear for bird calls and hopes to learn about the mysteries of bird vocalization and is currently working with Project Dhvani. Inherently shy by nature, he gets his Aha moments when he successfully identifies similarly shy and skulking birds such as warblers, though this nowhere dampens his enthusiasm for watching common birds such as crows and mynas. He thinks that these common birds show many fascinating behaviours that are generally ignored. He has authored and co-authored a few books on birds of Madhya Pradesh. When not watching birds, he makes digital art, mostly related to wildlife and the environment.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Maharashtra
Ramesh Shenai
Ramesh considers himself fortunate to have grown up in Vasai, a place still retaining its natural beauty. His interest in nature began accidentally when his sister bought a camera but quickly abandoned it. By chance, he found the camera and discovered his love for nature photography. Later, a generous friend gifted him a telephoto lens, which sparked his fascination with birds. Guided by knowledgeable individuals, he delved deeper into the study of birds. For the past six years, he has worked as a naturalist at Advait World, enabling him to travel throughout India and interact with diverse people. During his endeavours, he connected with the Vasai Birds, a group of nature enthusiasts who warmly welcomed him. Together, they strive to raise awareness about birds and nature through various events in the Vasai-Virar region.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Sumiti Saharan
Sumiti has been (e)birding since 2017. She is particularly fond of forest birds and is excited by the idea of spotting uncommon birds or observing new bird behaviour. She loves exploring new habitats armed with satellite views, mosquito repellents, and her phone GPS to discover the type of birds available. For her, birding is both restorative and an energizer. She advocates birding as a hobby to everyone – friends, family, work colleagues, acquaintances, and random passer-bys with quizzical looks on their face wondering what she is doing peering with binoculars! She remembers the first time she saw the gorgeous necklace of a Bluethroat, or the inimitable puff-and-roll display of a Stoliczka’s Bushchat. These memories, and many more like these, will forever stay with her. And she hopes to continue to add to that collection in the years to come…
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Dipti Humruskar
After completing her master’s in Wildlife Biology and Conservation, Dipti worked on conservation projects developing and implementing outreach projects. She worked in landscapes such as the Chambal region of Rajasthan towards conservation of the gharial and the high altitude regions of Spiti and Ladakh around conservation of the snow leopard. Dipti is a National Geographic Certified Educator and founder of Little EduVentures, which introduces young children to the wonders of the natural world by enhancing their fondness, knowledge and understanding of nature. She also works with the Wildlife Conservation Society – India towards stakeholder engagement for human-wildlife conflict.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Manipur
Elangbam Premjit Singh
Premjit hails from Manipur, a region rich in biodiversity. A graduate of D.M. College of Commerce, Imphal, he is passionate about wildlife photography and research. He actively collaborates with NGOs and government departments on wildlife and environmental conservation, contributing articles and photographs to various publications. Currently, he is the Secretary of a non-profit organisation called Wildlife Explorers Manipur and works on key research projects with the Directorate of Environment & Ecology and the Forest Department of Manipur. He is involved in the Asian Waterbird Census at Loktak Lake, coordinates GBBC and City Nature Challenge in Manipur, and is a member of the Indian Bird Conservation Network. A dedicated birdwatcher and nature enthusiast, he and his team have recorded many “firsts” for Manipur, including the Red-billed Starling. He also co-authored the e-book 100 Common Birds of India in Manipuri.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Meghalaya
Ezra Lawanker Rynjah
Ezra grew up with a fascination of all things wild, devouring books on the natural world from a young age, from dinosaurs to snakes to mammals and birds. He took up birding about a decade and a half ago to nurture this innate interest and hasn’t looked back since. He’s studied environmental science, and forestry, with the goal of finding nature-based solutions to conservation-development conflicts. He’s traveled for education and work around India, as well as to other countries and taken part in many citizen science projects, such as with the British Trust for Ornithology, and different eBird events. As of now, he’s based in Shillong, Meghalaya where, apart from working on conservation projects, he is introducing birding and eBird to students and curious members of the public. He often says that birding allows him to really connect to a landscape, and he hopes that new birders will have a similar experience!
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Mizoram
Christopher Lawlor
A dedicated Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology at Government Kolasib College in Mizoram, Christopher has a deep passion for the natural world. An avid hobbyist photographer, he has progressed on to photographing the wildlife and especially birds to support his research on the waterbirds of the neighbouring region.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Nagaland
Lansothung Lotha
Lanso is from the eastern-most frontier of the country- Nagaland. He works as a Forest Ranger in this beautiful landscape, which is blessed with an exceptionally rich biodiversity, especially in terms of avifauna. Currently, posted at Wokha district he gets to witness the grand spectacle of the Amur Falcon migration every year between October and November. Growing up, he has always been fascinated about natural history. During his college days, he would observe birds outside his hostel room window, which gave him his first sighting of a Sibreian Rubythroat. Studying hornbills for his masters only cemented this keen interest he had in birds and their conservation. An avid birder now he continues to enjoy observing birds and studying them. Encouraging people to get interested in the hobby of birding, especially children, remains one of his primary goals. He engages in nature education and organises birding events in his efforts to realise this goal.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Punjab
Gurpartap Singh
Gurpartap Singh, a retired college Principal with a background in business management and academics, is a passionate birdwatcher, eBirder, nature enthusiast, and photographer. His interest in the natural world began during his college days when he studied Biology. He currently serves on the editorial board of ‘Sanrakshan’, a monthly e-magazine. Dr. Singh is an administrator and/or moderator of various Facebook groups, including Punjab Bird Club, Natural Biodiversity, Wildlife of North India, and Butterflies of Punjab. He actively contributes to the community through diverse initiatives such as bird photography exhibitions, bird surveys, wildlife rescue, nature conservation, cleanliness drives, tree plantation, nature walks, outreach programs for school and college students, online educational sessions, and document editing. Dr. Singh has published multiple research articles and supports, inspires, and collaborates with fellow birders to disseminate their findings.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Odisha
Swetashree Purohit
Swetashree was introduced to the natural world early in her life by her father, a forest officer. Exploring the forests of Odisha and spending most of her early life in Nandankanan Biological Park observing animals closely, she was intrigued to study wildlife and did her doctorate in biodiversity studying the avifauna of Koraput, Odisha. Currently working as an assistant professor in the Department of Agriculture and Allied Sciences at C.V. Raman Global University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, she has been involved with different nature education programmes in the state and is a part of The Bhubaneswar Bird Walks.
Email: [email protected]; eBird profile
Rajasthan
Arijit Banerjee
Arijit, aged 57, introduces himself as a former student of botany who, over the course of three and a half decades, has gradually let most of his botanical knowledge slip away. Presently, he is employed by the Rajasthan Forest Department, where his passion for the living world finds a natural home. His fondness for all living beings, with birds holding a special place, reflects a deep-seated connection to nature. Arijit cherishes moments spent outdoors, relishing the sights and sounds of the natural world, particularly when equipped with quality optical instruments that enhance his experiences.
Email: [email protected]; eBird profile
Sikkim
Dibyendu Ash
Dibyendu, a former Electrical Engineer, who had worked in Cognizant Technology Solutions, transitioned his profession into entrepreneurship as a birdwatcher and naturalist in 2012. His interest in natural history started in his college days, back in 2004. His active involvement in birding across the eastern Himalayas for the past two decades, specially in the Sikkim landscape, has helped to add inquisitive people from different strata in the birding forums. He and his wife are the proprietors of a tour company called Sikkim Birds Tours & Travels that conducts birdwatching tours in the Sikkim Himalayas and the agency also disburses funds for philanthropic purposes, such as conducting nature awareness programs and bird walks across the state. He and his team of bird guides have recorded many birds from the Sikkim Himalayas, most of which are considered “first records” from the state. Cooperatively, this team of birders in the state has stimulated interest in multiple individuals, leading a major shift in conservation and birding efforts in the state.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Sunita Khatiwara
Sunita was born and raised in a beautiful hamlet in southern Sikkim, surrounded by lush green forests rich in biodiversity. For her, nature has always been a part of their sustainable lives. However, her perspective changed after she started exploring nature as a researcher, and now as a facilitator and regulator at the Department of Forest and Environment, Sikkim. For many years, she has participated in bird-related events and discourses, finding joy in observing birds, their interactions, and gaining knowledge about the ecosystems they inhabit.
Email: [email protected]
Tamil Nadu
Angeline Mano
Angeline, a Nature Educator and Program Coordinator at Salem Ornithological Foundation (SOF), is passionate about birdwatching since childhood. As a postgraduate student of English Literature, she combines her love for nature with her pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Annamalai University. Since 2018, she has been introducing birds and promoting citizen science through public nature walks and education programs. Angeline actively trains young enthusiasts in birding and natural history. Her expertise lies in nature education, material development, bird monitoring, wetland ecology, and surveys. Her current work includes systematic bird monitoring, biodiversity documentation, breeding biology & behavioral study of birds. As an eBird regional reviewer and GBBC state coordinator, she dedicates her time to conservation efforts and educating others about their environmental responsibilities.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
P Jeganathan
P Jeganathan is a scientist at Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF). His main interests are applied ecological aspects such as the conservation biology of endangered bird species, habitat monitoring, and on-ground conservation action. During his PhD he studied the critically endangered Jerdon’s Courser, and continues to do so. He is equally keen doing science outreach, mainly through writing in Tamil and training nature enthusiasts to write in regional languages through workshops. He writes extensively for various newspapers and magazines in Tamil on natural history and wildlife conservation. He is also involved in coordinating citizen science projects in Tamil Nadu on birds. He is one of the members of Tamil Birders Network. Since 2014 along with other birders in this network he coordinates Pongal Bird Count and Tamil Birders Meet. He is a Wikipedian and an avid birder. He blogs in Tamil at http://uyiri.wordpress.com/
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Telangana
Chitra Shanker
Chitra is an entomologist by profession and a birder by passion. She works as a Principal Scientist at the Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad. She is basically a patch birder who loves to spend hours watching the behaviour of birds in her office patch. Her tryst with birdwatching started in her school days where she was fortunate to spot the Indian Pitta, Asian Paradise Flycatcher and innumerable birds in her own garden. She continued to be a part of birdwatching and nature clubs in college during the eighties. A life member of the Deccan Birders formerly the Bird watching Society of Andhra Pradesh, she shared her passion with fellow birders. Birding wherever her travels take her, and of late, also travelling for birding, she has recorded birds from various parts of the world. She actively volunteers in all the citizen science programmes. She is a part of the WWF and participates in dragonfly walks, Big Butterfly Month and the National Moth Week.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Sriram Reddy
Sriram’s journey in birdwatching started during one of his hiking trips to Osman Sagar Lake in 2015, while photographing Greater Flamingoes. Since then, he’s explored Telangana and beyond, capturing diverse species through his camera. He is one of the administrators of Hyderabad Birding Pals (HBP), an NGO dedicated to promoting birdwatching in Telangana. During HBP’s Sunday birdwalks, Sriram engages with amateur nature enthusiasts, introducing them to the wonders of birds. His former IT profession and passion for technology have come in handy while training forest department personnel to document birds in Kawal and Mahabubabad divisions. His bird photographs can be seen in Telangana Forest Department coffee-table books, Telangana State Biodiversity Field Guide, WWF calendars, and various ornithological publications.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Tripura
Dipak Sinha
Dipak, originally from Kamalpur, Tripura, is a veterinarian turned teacher at the College of Agriculture in Tripura. Growing up surrounded by nature, he developed a deep connection with the environment. Inspired by his wife, Bina Saikia, Dipak started birdwatching and was captivated by the Indo-chinese roller in 2014–15. Since then, he has actively documented birds in his campus and the state. Dipak encourages others to take up birdwatching and has successfully trained several birders, including his daughter Briti, the youngest birder in Tripura. Through global and national birding events, he has been instrumental in promoting birdwatching and bird documentation in Tripura. He collaborates with the forest department, schools, and colleges to popularize birding and bird monitoring in the region.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Uttarakhand
Sanjay Sondhi
Sanjay, a Dehradun-based naturalist and engineering graduate from the Indian Institute of Kanpur (1987), has been passionately involved in the study of natural history for over three decades. He specializes in birds, butterflies, moths, amphibians, and reptiles, and has authored numerous books and papers on Indian wildlife. In 2009, he established Titli Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of India’s lesser-known flora and fauna. The trust focuses on research, education, community-based nature tourism, and addressing human-wildlife conflict, primarily in the Himalayas. Sanjay is also the editor of the Moths of India website and a co-editor of the Butterflies of India website.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Uttar Pradesh
Arpit Bansal
Arpit, is not just a Laparoscopic & Cancer Surgeon; he’s also a passionate birder and wildlife photographer from Prayagraj (Allahabad). While excelling in his surgical career, he’s a pioneer in promoting cancer awareness in his state, leveraging platforms like social media. As a skilled photographer, he collaborates with WWF India, contributing his bird photographs to yearly calendars. Beyond photography, he actively raises nature awareness in his region. He is not only a TEDx speaker but also engages in nature education activities, inspiring people from all walks of life. His unique combination of medical expertise and conservation passion sets him apart as a standout figure in both fields. Of all the families of birds, Owls and nightjars are Aprit’s favourite group of birds and if given a chance, he can spend nights after nights just watching them. Their nocturnal habits and behaviour fascinates him. In 2011, he took up a quest to see all the 36 species of owls that are known to occur in India. Except the Nicobar Scops-Owl he has seen all of them. One of his most memorable day is of his trip to Thattekad, Kerala where he saw and photographed 9 species in less than 24 hours!
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
West Bengal
Sandip Das
Sandip has always been captivated by birds, delving into the nuances of their vocalisations and breeding behaviours and meticulously documenting their calls. His focus lies in documenting the behaviour and sound patterns of warblers, with a particular emphasis on the Locustellidae family. He loves exploring new habitats. He participates in various bird surveys and collaborates with birdwatchers from diverse locations. He is one of the founding members of the Birdwatchers’ Society (BWS), based in West Bengal, and has co-authored “Banglar Pakhpakhali,” a widely acclaimed photographic guide book showcasing the diverse bird species of the region.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Sujan Chatterjee
Sujan has been birding for 35 years! He is tour guide by profession and leads wildlife tours across Asia and South Africa. He is involved with various bird surveys and projects in West Bengal. He is also the founder of the Birdwatcher’s Society (BWS), based in West Bengal.
Email: [email protected]; eBird Profile
Karishma Pradhan
Karishma Pradhan hails from Kalimpong, a small town in northern West Bengal. Her earliest memories of birdwatching stem from childhood walks with her father, where they would observe birds in their surrounding locality. Her father would describe the birds they saw and sometimes share folktales associated with them, nurturing her love for birds and time spent outdoors. Currently, Karishma works as a Project Manager with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), where she coordinates the Hornbill research and conservation efforts in North Bengal. She also contributes to ongoing Hornbill conservation initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh. She is keen on encouraging residents and students of the Darjeeling-Kalimpong region to take up birdwatching, hoping to inspire more people to have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the region’s rich biodiversity.
Email: [email protected]
Who are Bird Count India’s Regional Coordinators?
- They are excited and passionate about birds, and birding, and strongly believe in improving bird documentation.
- They have good familiarity with resident and migratory birds as well as birding locations and habitats of the region
- They have adequate knowledge of relevant resources that can assist beginner birders in improving their birding skills including eBird and Merlin
- They willingly engage with diverse audiences including the media.
- They have been and are currently a resident of the region for the majority of the time.
- They have ideals and principles that broadly align with BCI’s vision, mission, and values and are well aware of BCI campaigns and events
In case you are unable to reach your regional coordinator, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Banner Image: Group watching birds with Raja Bandi at Tirupati. Photo by: Satish Chandra
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