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Jaypee University of Information Technology

Conference on “Bird Monitoring through Citizen Science”Concludes

Shimla, Mar 26 – Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE) Shimla in collaboration with Bird Count India organized  two days Conference on “Bird Monitoring through Citizen Science” on 25th & 26th March 2023 at Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI) Shimla. The Citizen Science has become a popular and valuable tool for various conservation efforts, as it allows members of the public to contribute data and observations to scientific research. One such popular citizen science platform is eBird, which allows birdwatchers to submit observations of birds they have seen in the field.

The conference was intended to familiarize the importance of e-birding and the status of e-birding in Himachal Pradesh. It also discussed about the ethics to be followed in e-birding throughout the State.

A two-day conference was aimed at improving the quality of data submitted to eBird, a citizen science platform that allows birdwatchers to contribute to scientific research. The conference aimed to bring together experts in the field of citizen science and eBird to discuss ways to improve the quality of eBird data, with a focus on the specific needs and challenges of Himachal Pradesh. The conference  targeted  a diverse audience from experts to regular users of eBird, including eBird editors of northern Indian subcontinent, eBird users of Himachal Pradesh, and Bird Count India staff. The conference consisted  of a series of presentations, working sessions, and field sessions, covering topics such as challenges and opportunities on bird monitoring specific to Himachal Pradesh, best practices for submitting accurate and useful eBird observations, and techniques for quality control and data validation. The expected outcomes of the conference included increased awareness of best practices for submitting observations to eBird, opportunities for collaboration and networking among attendees, and increased engagement of the public in bird conservation efforts through eBird.

On 25th & 26th March 2023 early morning, around 40 students of two Schools viz, GSSS Chhota Shimla and GSSS Beolia were taken for Nature Walk and Bird watching to Kufri Zoo and surroundings of HFRI Campus to apprise them about the activities of different types of birds. Sh. Sat Pal Dhiman, Joint Member Secretary HIMCOSTE told that the eBird is a very popular citizen science platform and HP holds a huge potential of expanding this platform by involving school and college students, youths and general public. HIMCOST shall make efforts to encourage the use of eBird platform and contribute in bird conservation.

Sh.Rajeev Kumar, PCCF Wildlife and Chief Wildlife Warden Forest Department, HP , who graced the occasion as a Chief Guest, highlighted the importance of e Bird platform and how it can contribute effectively in understanding the distribution and population trends of various bird species. He congratulated the HIMCOSTE and Bird Count India for successful organization of this conference on Bird Monitoring through Citizen Science.

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