Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan. 11: The Asian Waterbird Census (AWBC), conducted annually by Wetlands International to monitor wetland bird populations and assess the status of wetland habitats across the Asian subcontinent, is currently underway in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Andaman Avians Club (AAC), which has been conducting this census for several years, has continued the survey this year as well. The census commenced on January 3, 2026 and will conclude on January 18, 2026.
This year, AAC has collaborated with several organisations to ensure the participation of all concerned stakeholders, including the Department of Environment & Forests, ANI; Directorate of Education, A&N Administration; Andaman Nicobar Environment Team (ANET)–Dakshin Foundation, ANI; The Naturalist School, Bengaluru; and Tribemen.in, a Private Tour firm based in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
On the morning of January 11, birders from AAC assembled near Government School, Ograbraj. Members of ANET, Wildlife Institute of India, Tribemen.in, staff of the Forest Department, school teachers from GSSS Tushnabad and GMS Ograbraj, students from Classes VI to VIII, children of staff from the nearby IRBn campus, and tourism students from ITI Dollygunj participated in the survey. A few parents who had accompanied the students also volunteered and joined the exercise.
The programme was graced by the chief guest, Shri Dinesh Kannan, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Environment & Forests, accompanied by Shri Sandeep Behra, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), South Andaman. Secretary (Tourism), Ms Jyothi Kumari, IAS, was also present on the occasion.
Participants were divided into groups and assigned team guides. They were briefed on wetland habitats and their dependent bird species, the use of binoculars, and preparation of checklists, following which they were taken on a bird walk along the banks of the adjacent Ograbraj wetlands.
By the end of the survey, more than 40 bird species were documented, including a healthy population of the endemic Andaman Teal. The collected data will be uploaded to the eBird portal, through which the Asian Waterbird Census project is being monitored.
An added surprise for the participants was the visit of Mr Andrew and his wife, Mrs Puja Sharma, from New York. Mr Andrew works with the Cornell Lab, which has developed the eBird application. They addressed the gathering and expressed delight at the enthusiastic participation of school children in conservation initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Dinesh Kannan, highlighted the crucial role of birds in seed dispersal and forest regeneration and stressed the importance of preventing illegal hunting of birds protected under the Wildlife Protection Act.
In his vote of thanks, Dr Ashwini Kumar, President of the Andaman Avians Club, encouraged students to take up birdwatching as a hobby by observing birds around their homes and schools. He reiterated that more volunteers should associate with the Andaman Avians Club and actively participate in conservation efforts for birds and their habitats.
The Asian Waterbird Census is powered by eBird India, Bird Count India, Bombay Natural History Society, and Wetland International.
The census period across Asia is from December 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026, while the main survey period in India is from January 3 to January 18, 2026.
In the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, AAC is conducting the census across the Union Territory from Diglipur to Great Nicobar during January 3–18, 2026. In some remote islands, the survey will be completed before February 28, 2026, according to the A&N Islands, eBird Regional Coordinator, Shri Amrit Raha.