Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 13: Police Lines marked a significant step toward environmental stewardship by successfully conducting its first-ever bird count under the Campus Bird Count (CBC) 2026 and the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) on 13 February 2026 from 0600 hrs to 0730 hrs. The programme was organized as part of ongoing educational, recreational, and environmental preservation initiatives and stands as the inaugural eco-awareness event at the venue. The activity was conducted under the supervision of Smt. Niyati Mittal, SP (APU), whose guidance and encouragement inspired active participation across age groups.
More than 55 participants including police personnel, children, and a resource expert from the Andaman Avians Club took part enthusiastically in the bird watching and documentation exercise. The initiative blended environmental education with community engagement, promoting awareness about local biodiversity and the importance of citizen science.
In a notable achievement, the Police Lines campus has now been officially registered as an eBird Hotspot, contributing structured data to eBird, the global online database of bird observations managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This registration enables systematic documentation of avian species and supports global biodiversity monitoring efforts.
During the 65-minute survey, participants recorded a total of 26 bird species, highlighting the rich avifaunal diversity within the Police Lines campus and reinforcing the ecological significance of urban green spaces.
The initiative reflects the department’s growing commitment to environmental stewardship, physical well-being, and community participation in conservation-driven action. By integrating citizen science with institutional engagement, the programme not only fostered ecological awareness but also set a benchmark for similar green initiatives in the future.
“Observe, Preserve and Educate.”
Such initiatives reaffirm that meaningful conservation begins with awareness and collective action.