Campus Bird Count (CBC-2024) hosted by Dept of Wildlife Sciences

Aligarh : The department of Wildlife Sciences at Aligarh Muslim University hosted the Campus Bird Count (CBC) event recently at the campus. CBC, a subset of the broader Great Backyard Bird Count, is a coordinated endeavor aimed at cataloging bird diversity on various university campuses throughout India. Originating in 1998 through collaboration between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society in the U.S.A., the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) stands as the pioneer online citizen science project, gathering data on wild bird populations in near real-time and contributing to scientific understanding.

The campus of AMU boasts significant bird habitats, making documenting their diversity crucial. Faculty and students from the Department of Wildlife Sciences enthusiastically participated in the Campus Bird Count-2024. Three distinct trail routes were designated to encompass all bird habitats on campus.

Prof. Satish Kumar, Chairperson of the Department of Wildlife Sciences, emphasized the importance of citizen science data in biodiversity monitoring and conservation during interactions with students. He commended the organizers for orchestrating the Campus Bird Count on a significant scale.

Participants during CBC, traversed these routes, identifying over 80 species of birds. The event was led by Dr. Kaleem Ahmed, with Dr. Ahmad Masood Khan and Dr. Sharad Kumar serving as co-coordinators.

The event concluded by recognizing the students’ contributions and presenting them with participation certificates. It not only raised awareness about avian biodiversity but also fostered a sense of duty toward conservation among the attendees. Aligarh Muslim University’s dedication to environmental stewardship was clearly demonstrated through this effective endeavour.