Bird census : 73 distinct bird species spotted at Shirui, Phangrei

UKHRUL, May 19 : A total of 73 distinct bird species were identified and 803 individual birds were recorded during a three-day bird census program conducted at Shirui and Phangrei.
The program was conducted and successfully concluded in commemoration of the upcoming International Day for Biological Diversity by the Ukhrul Forest Division in collaboration with the Environmental Force at Grass Root Level (ENFOGAL).
The extensive field exercise saw active participation from students of the Department of Zoology, Pettigrew College, Ukhrul.
The participants were introduced to bird species identification, census techniques and digital tools such as Merlin Bird ID & eBird.
Over the course of the three-day rigorous census, the technical team led by Patrick Sangh of ENFOGAL, Dr Gaikhuanlung Ngaome, Dr Ersilla Jajo, Dr Christian Erni, Shunringla Rungsung and student volunteers documented a vibrant avian ecosystem, yielding promising data for the region’s biodiversity mapping.
While 73 diverse species of birds were identified, the team also noted a population count of 803 individual birds recorded across the survey sites.
This data will serve as a vital baseline inventory for the Forest Department to monitor the ecological health of the Shirui and Phangrei areas.
During the interactive session, Forest Department officials emphasized the critical need for protecting wildlife biodiversity.
Laishram Gitla, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Ukhrul said the core objective of aligning this census with the International Day for Biological Diversity is to instill a deep sense of environmental stewardship among the youth and transform them into young ambassadors of the region.
By engaging local students in active scientific monitoring, the initiative aims to build a robust, community-led conservation movement capable of safeguarding the unique and fragile biodiversity of Ukhrul for future generations, she added.