NGOs, environmentalists go bird-watching in Ossudu Lake

Various NGOs and environmentalists such as Hargobind Khorana Science Centre, Universal Eco Foundation and Senthamarai Foundation, who were engaged in awareness campaigns aligned to various biodiversity and environmental conservative initiatives and activities, on Sunday undertook a bird-watching and Pongal Bird Count 2020 in Ossudu Lake here.

Arun Nagalingam, coordinator for the event, in a release said that more than 120 students from various schools and colleges participated where experienced birders, environmentalists and ecologists gave lectures and discussed various topics concerning birds to the participants.

They answered all questions from the students and volunteers with regard to birding and its importance for the ecological balance.

Awareness on the dire need to discard plastic from the day-to-day use of public and its hazardous impact to the environment and ecosystem was explained and emphasised to the participants.

Dr Bubesh Gupta, an expert, has displayed various charts, pamphlets and photographs with relevant details of the variety of birds, their sounds, behaviours and lifestyle to emphasis their contribution to the balanced ecological system.

Further, Dr Balaji, founder of Senthamarai Foundation, presented the systematic procedure of birding and explained the detailed procedure that every participant should follow to enter the details of name, photograph and their sound of any bird which is recorded and referred internationally.

This record maintenance will be of immense importance for researchers on birds, their behaviour and their unique identifications for future references.

In continuation of this, the participants observed various birds through special binoculars and recorded their sounds with microphone devices, the release said.

All the participants have taken a pledge to be a birder all their future times, to contribute in this regard by registering the information of various birds wherever they travel in their future times, in understanding the significance of this contribution for the welfare of the ecosystem.

Dr Arun Nagalingam explained the importance of birding during the time of Pongal and urged to be a birder and participate registering information on various birds in anywhere they go, particularly in various places at Puducherry.

The students learnt there were 53 species of birds commonly seen in Ossudu Lake. But, particularly through special binoculars made available for the students for bird-watching, they noted the birds namely, Little Cormorant, Grey Pelican, Painted stork, Open billed stork, White Ibis, Glossy ibis, Pond heron, Purple swamp-hen, Jacana and kingfisher. After knowing all the details on birds and importance of birding and bird-watching, they all participated in a drawing competition, the release added.