Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: In a major boost to biodiversity documentation efforts in Manipur, a three-day bird census conducted in Ukhrul district recorded 73 distinct bird species and 803 individual birds in the ecologically significant Shirui and Phangrei regions.
The exercise was organised by the Ukhrul Forest Division in collaboration with the Environmental Force at Grass Root Level (ENFOGAL) to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity.
The survey, carried out in the hill district bordering Myanmar, also involved students from the Department of Zoology at Pettigrew College.
As part of the initiative, participants received hands-on training in bird identification, census methods and the use of digital citizen-science platforms such as Merlin Bird ID and eBird.
The census team was led by Patrick Singh of ENFOGAL along with Gaikhuanlung Ngaomei, Ersilla Jajo, Christian Erni, Shunringla Rungsung and student volunteers.
Officials said the data collected during the exercise would serve as a baseline inventory for monitoring the ecological health and avian diversity of the Shirui and Phangrei landscapes.
Highlighting the importance of community participation in conservation efforts, Divisional Forest Officer Laishram Gitla said the initiative aimed to encourage environmental stewardship among young people.
“Aligning this census with the International Day for Biological Diversity aims to instill a deep sense of environmental stewardship among the youth, transforming them into young ambassadors of the region,” she said.
The Forest Department said involving students in scientific monitoring initiatives would help strengthen long-term, community-driven conservation efforts in the biodiversity-rich Ukhrul district.