Asian Water Birds Census to begin in early January in Godavari estuary

Lessee Sand-Plovers and endangered Great Knots sighted at Kumbabhishekham mudflat in Kakinada distinct during the Asian Water Birds Census-2024.

A team of at least 60 experts led by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) Deputy Director P. Sathiyaselvan would conduct a two-day annual Asian Water Birds Census-2025 in the Godavari estuary, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining wetlands in the first week of January.

The census will be undertaken on January 4 and 5. The Department of Forests will conduct the census, enumerating the number of migratory species arrived on winter sojourn in the Kakinada district, which is in the Central Asian Flyway. Chollangi wetland, S. Yanam lagoon remain the prime sites apart from the designated wetlands to be covered in the census.

Coringa Forest Ranger S.S.R. Vara Prasad told The Hindu: “Ornithologists, wildlife photographers, birdwatchers from across the country and students will be part of the exercise. The Birds Society of Andhra Pradesh (BSAP), International Bird Conservation Network (IBCN) will also join the census.”

IBCN A.P. Coordinator D. Mahesh Babu, ornithologist K. Mrutyunjaya Rao and students from P.R. Government College, Kakinada, will take part in the census.