ASIAN WATER BIRD CENSUS

ASIAN WATER BIRD CENSUS

Subject : Environment

Context : The two-day Asian Waterbird Census-2020 commenced in Andhra Pradesh under the aegis of experts from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), covering at least two dozen sites, including Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Kolleru Lake and Krishna Sanctuary.

Concept :

Asian Waterbird Census:

• The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) is an international programme that focuses on monitoring the status of water birds and wetlands. It also aims to increase public awareness on issues related to wetland and water bird conservation.
• In India, the AWC is annually coordinated by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and Wetlands International.
• Asian Waterbird Census is a part of the global project ‘International Waterbird Census Programme’ and is carried out every year in January.
• The data collected each year is shared by Wetlands International with global conservation organisations such as IUCN and Ramsar Convention, while state coordinators share data with local wildlife departments to ensure conservation and sustainable management of wetlands in the region.

Bombay Natural History Society:

• BNHS is a non government Organisation (NGO) founded in the year 1883, and is engaged in conservation and biodiversity research.
• BNHS is the partner of Bird Life International in India. It has been designated as a ‘Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’ by the Department of Science and Technology.