Asian Waterbird Census 2023 to be held from January 7

Birds are recognized as one of the most important indicators of the state of the environment because they are sensitive to habitat, climate change and water birds are one of the key indicators of the wetland’s health and provide four kinds of ecological services. Wetlands provide feeding, resting, roosting and foraging habitats for these charismatic species. 

To record the status of important wetlands and water birds species diversity with population, Asian Waterbird Census 2023 (AWC), which is Wetlands International’s largest annual waterbird census, is to be carried out from January 7, 2023 till January 22, 2023. The census is organised by Wetlands International South Asia in coordination with BNHS every year in the mid- January across Asia and Australasia. Thousands of volunteers participate in the census as per the international protocol & methodology of the count. This citizen-science program supports conservation & management of wetlands and water birds worldwide.

The census has the following objectives:

• to obtain information on an annual basis of waterbird populations at wetlands in the region during the non-breeding period of most species
• to monitor on an annual basis the status and condition of wetlands
• to encourage citizens to learn more about waterbirds and wetlands
• to support local conservation activities for wetlands

AWC is an integral part of the global waterbird monitoring programme, the International Waterbird Census (IWC) of Wetlands International. The census covers the entire East Asian – Australasian Flyway and a large part of the Central Asian Flyway. The data of the census and information are used to promote national waterbird & wetland conservation and international cooperation along the Central Asian Flyway and East Asian - Australasian Flyway. 

In Indian Sub-continent, AWC is carried out at few hundred wetlands (State, Regional & National Wetlands, Ramsar Sites, Protected areas, Important Bird Areas, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves) by national network of volunteers in active coordination of the AWC State Coordinators and National Coordinator.

AWC 2023 in Delhi and National Capital Region, starts from January 7, 2023 in Delhi will be covered total nine wetlands:-

• Okhla Bird Sanctuary on 22 Jan, 2023
• Surajpur Wetland on 09 Jan, 2023
• Dhanauri Wetland on 18 Jan, 2023
• Najafgarh Jheel on 20 Jan, 2023
• Sultanpur National Park on w0 Jan, 2023
• Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary on 19 Jan, 2023
• River Yamuna on 07 Jan, 2023
• Sanjay Lake on 08 Jan, 2023
• National Zoological Park on 08 Jan, 2023

In participation of active volunteers from Delhi and neighboring states includes different institutions (universities, colleges), state biodiversity boards, NGOs, experienced birders in coordination of the AWC Delhi State Coordinator. Interested volunteers may contribute their valuable service for conservation of wetland & water birds by participation in AWC 2023 with advance registration through AWC Delhi State Coordinator.