Gurucharan College Hosts Campus Bird Count, Records 26 Species

The Department of Zoology at Gurucharan College, Silchar, organised the fifth edition of Campus Bird Count on February 16, 2025 (Sunday), as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a global birdwatching event held annually in February.

The Campus Bird Count, a unique initiative in India, focuses on documenting avian diversity within educational institutions while raising awareness about bird conservation. Gurucharan College has been actively participating in this event for the past five years.

This year, a total of 26 bird species were recorded on the college campus, including the black-hooded oriole, Asian koel, blue-throated barbet, white-throated kingfisher, rufous treepie, and rose-ringed parakeet. Notable sightings also featured the yellow-footed green pigeon, purple-rumped sunbird, black kite, and fulvous-breasted woodpecker. The college’s famed jackfruit tree was observed to be a major sheltering site for various species.

Although a decline in bird species was noted last year due to habitat loss, this year’s count showed a resurgence in avian diversity. All recorded species have been documented on eBird, a global birdwatching platform that aids researchers, educators, and conservationists.

The event was coordinated by Dr Debipreeta Dutta, Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology, alongside students. Founding members of the initiative, including Debolina Chakraborty, Sukanya Roy, and Brototi Chakraborty, were also present. Dr Dutta expressed her delight at the successful completion of the event, emphasising its role in fostering environmental awareness among students.