Port Blair, Nov. 15: A two week workshop on Bird Watching & Basic Ornithology organized by the Zoological Survey of India, A&N Islands Regional Centre under the Accelerate Vigyan, Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India got underway at the conference hall of the ZSI here today. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS as the chief guest inaugurated the workshop in the presence of Dr. R.S.C. Jayaraj, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, A&N Islands, and Dr. P. Vijayachari, Director, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Port Blair.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Secretary thanked the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India for taking the initiative in providing skill training under Accelerate Vigyan. He elucidated the most basic of bird watching definition, aside from simply watching or listening to birds, most birders go a few steps by documenting their observations, identifying the birds, and sharing their findings with fellow bird enthusiasts. The Chief Secretary also mentioned that birding meaning is inextricably rooted in an appreciation and sense of wonder at the avian species in bird watchers and this is what everyone from novice bird watcher to expert birder has in common. He also highlighted how he expanded his species list with every trip and experience birding in different habitats. He also shared his passion for photography and remarked that landscape photography is his passions which has taught him to wake up before sunrise, and later he has shifted to Bird Photography also. He beautifully described how bird watching can shape an individual’s personality by developing the perseverance and patience of the watcher. He concluded by giving remarks upon the serenity and pristine beauty of these islands which attracts many bird watchers and flourishes an unimaginable biodiversity and wished ZSI for taking up this kind of activities.
The Chief Secretary further stated that A&N Islands are the abode of certain birds viz. Narcondum Hornbill, Megapode etc. which are absolutely endemic found only in Isles and nowhere in the World. It’s a great opportunity for the participants to learn the nuances of Bird Watching during this workshop, the CS said urging them to take maximum advantage out of it. The Chief Secretary also visited the Regional Museum of ZSI and took keen interest in the zoological collection on A&N Islands.
In his address, the guest of honour, Dr. R.S.C. Jayaraj, said that the trainees must know the ecological as well as the economic aspects of bird watching. He highlighted about the collaboration between the Forests Department and ZSI in which they have carried out surveys from Landfall to Indira Point. The PCCF is also emphasised about the bird tourism and the value of education in this industry. He also mentioned to the students about the various new job opportunities waiting in the tourism industry and others etc. He highlighted the incredible significance of knowing the worth of bird watchers in various fields like conservation, management and agriculture etc. of which those will be achieved only by the imparting proper training of the local community.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. P. Vijayachari, Director, ICMR- RMRC, Port Blair mentioned the significance of Bird identification in basic and applied sciences and how these two embeded into medical sciences. He emphasized the status of inter-sectorial co-ordination between Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Health Science and local Community and also cited the interconnection between Zoonotic disease and biodiversity.
Welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Officer-in-Charge, ZSI, Port Blair enlightened the gathering on the history of Zoological Survey of India through these hundred years and how it has shaped the survey methodologies. He also briefed about the Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India and its jurisdiction and mentioned some collaborative research works carried out with Department of Environment and Forests and other research organizations. About 31 participants have registered for this two-week workshop, he added.