Chennai, Feb 14 (NationPress) In a significant effort to enhance wildlife monitoring throughout the state, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department will initiate a two-day synchronized terrestrial bird census beginning Saturday across all forest divisions.

This two-day initiative aims to produce updated baseline data regarding bird populations, especially during this critical early phase of the migratory season.

According to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Rakesh Kumar Dogra, the census will utilize a standardized and scientific methodology to guarantee precision and uniformity.

A minimum of 25 survey sites will be examined in each forest division, with observers employing the line transect method along stretches of two kilometers each to systematically catalog bird species across diverse landscapes.

To enhance accuracy, officials will utilize both direct observation and acoustic survey methods.

While direct observation aids in identifying visible species, acoustic monitoring enables experts to detect birds through their calls, particularly in dense forest regions where visibility might be restricted.

The extensive initiative will involve seasoned birdwatchers, Forest Department personnel, trained volunteers, representatives from non-governmental organizations, and professional wildlife photographers.

Volunteers, including eager school and college students, are encouraged to pre-register at the respective forest division offices.

Tamil Nadu has become one of India's essential biodiversity hotspots, hosting a rich variety of resident and migratory bird species.

The state is increasingly prioritizing scientific monitoring and conservation, acknowledging the ecological importance of avian populations as indicators of environmental health.

Key initiatives include the Hornbill Conservation Centre, the Raptor Research Foundation at the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation, and the International Bird Conservation Centre at Marakkanam.

These organizations focus on habitat preservation, research, rescue and rehabilitation, and long-term species monitoring.

The last state-level terrestrial bird census, held on March 15 and 16, 2025, encompassed 1,093 terrestrial sites across all 38 districts.

This survey documented 401 bird species—both migratory and resident—with the overall terrestrial bird population estimated at 2.3 lakh.

Officials indicated that this synchronized census is poised to yield robust scientific data that will facilitate long-term conservation strategies, habitat management plans, and evidence-based policy decisions to protect Tamil Nadu's avian diversity.