Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 16 October 2024
In a vibrant celebration of bird conservation and awareness, the Andaman Avians Club hosted a bird walk on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island (Ross Island) on the occasion of the October Big Day and World Migratory Bird Day 2024. The event saw enthusiastic participation from eight club members, guided by experienced birdwatchers, making it the first bird walk organised by the club on this historic island.
The October Big Day, an annual event that unites bird enthusiasts worldwide in recording bird sightings, coincided this year with World Migratory Bird Day, a global awareness campaign focused on the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. These twin events provided the perfect backdrop for the Andaman Avians Club to promote the importance of birdlife conservation, particularly in the rich and biodiverse region of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
During the walk, participants had the chance to spot 16 different bird species, showcasing the island’s remarkable avian diversity. The bird walk not only fostered an appreciation for the birds, but also deepened the participants’ understanding of the islands’ natural environment.
World Migratory Bird Day 2024, with its theme “Water: Sustaining Bird Life,” emphasizes the critical role of aquatic ecosystems in sustaining migratory bird populations. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with their unique coastal and freshwater habitats, are key stopovers for several migratory bird species, further highlighting the importance of local conservation efforts.
The Andaman Avians Club, known for its initiatives in birdwatching and conservation, aims to raise awareness about the region’s avian treasures and foster a sense of responsibility for their protection. The club’s first bird walk at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island is one of many such efforts to connect people with nature and encourage a culture of conservation in the islands.