More than 220 species identified in PTR’s Citizen Science-based summer bird survey
   Date :12-Jun-2023

PTR Citizen Science-based  
 
 
Staff Reporter
Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Maharashtra, organised its first Citizen Science-based summer bird survey from June 9 to 11. The programme was conducted in collaboration with Tinsa Ecological Foundation, a research-based NGO.
Total 70 volunteers from 11 states participated in the event. The aim was to generate seasonal baseline data on bird diversity and abundance using the Citizen Science Model. A total of 4,500+ individual entries were collated, and a total of 220 species of birds were recorded from the seven ranges of PTR. Citizen Science events are widely used in western countries and they are now being adopted in many Protected Areas (PAs) of India to to large-scale biodiversity data through collaboration and contribution. Citizen Science events give a new discipline in changing scientific landscape for research community as well as a tool to spread conservation awareness to the broader community.
The participants were divided in teams of 2-3 members which were placed at one of the Forest Protection Camps. The 45 teams covered 45 beat camps of PTR and followed adaptive line transect and line transect, and point count survey method to observe and record bird diversity during the survey designed by Tinsa team. The data was collected on ‘Kobo Collect’, a free android based mobile application. Trails were also recorded. The participants were selected based on their number of checklists submitted on a bird, and their prior similar experiences. Students were also given opportunity to be a part of the survey and learn.
 
During the event, Field Director Shreelakshmi, Deputy Director Prabhunath Shukla and Range Forest Officers of seven ranges along with Ajinkya Bhatkar, Honorary Wildlife Warden and team members of TINSA were present.
During the inaugural function at Sillari, Vivek Rajurkar, RFO East Pench welcomed all participants to PTR. Prabhunath Shukla welcomed all participants and briefed about PTR and how Pench is home to a variety of flora and fauna, Ajinkya Bhatkar explained the need for such surveys and how citizen science based surveys can be utilised for long-term conservation.
 
Prerna Sharma of TINSA, explained participant’s survey methodology and the design. The concluding ceremony was organised on June 11 also at Sillari. The important species recorded in park were Malabar Pied Hornbill, Grey-headed Fish-eagle, Emerald Dove, Indian Nuthatch, Long billed Vulture, Black Eagle, Great Thicknee, Orange headed thrush, White rumped vulture, egyptian Vulture, Spot bellied Eagle Owl etc. A detailed scientific report on the data collected during the survey will be published by the Tinsa Team and PTR soon. The inferences from the ecological modelling of the data will be used for management interventions of the park. These surveys are important for conservation awareness and bring citizens from Tiger centric conservation and tourism to landscape level conservation and tourism.