Archive · 5 Jan 2026
Asian Water Bird Census 2026 Begins
A special count of water birds is happening in the Bagh area of Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.
This event, called the Asian Water Bird Census, lasts for two days.
Forest officers, guards, and volunteers are counting different types of birds.
In Madhya Pradesh, they saw birds like the Ashy Drongo, Indian Cormorant, and Plain Prinia.
In Delhi, they counted over 1,300 birds, including Painted Storks and Little Grebes.
They are using an online system to record the number of birds and their behavior.
The goal is to see how many birds live in the wetlands and how human activities might be affecting them.
The Ashy Drongo was the most seen bird in Madhya Pradesh, and the Plain Prinia was the first one recorded online.
In Delhi, Painted Storks were the largest group.
The two-day Asian Water Bird Census 2026 began in the Bagh region of Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.
The census aims to assess the population and diversity of water birds in Ramsar wetland areas and contribute to long-term monitoring and conservation.
Bird counting activities were conducted at Ojhal Nala in Chikapoti sub-range in Madhya Pradesh and at the National Zoological Park in Delhi.
Several bird species were observed, including Ashy Drongo, Indian Cormorant, and Plain Prinia in Madhya Pradesh, and Painted Storks, Little Grebes, and Little Cormorants in Delhi.
The census involves identifying birds, recording their numbers, and documenting their status through an online system, with over 1,300 birds counted in Delhi.
- Who
- Divisional Forest Officer Dhar, Vijayanatham TR, Sub-Divisional Officer Sardarpur, Santosh Ranachhore, T K Roy, volunteers from universities, colleges, and NGOs
- What
- Asian Water Bird Census 2026
- When
- Saturday (started), two-day duration
- Where
- Bagh region, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi
- Why
- To assess the population and diversity of water birds in Ramsar wetland areas and contribute to long-term monitoring and conservation of wetland-dependent birds
Conservationists
Industrialists
Wetland Conservation
Conservationists
Conservationists emphasize the importance of protecting wetlands for bird habitats and biodiversity.
Industrialists
Industrialists may prioritize economic development over wetland conservation.
- Location
- Bagh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi
- Duration
- Two days
- Organized by
- Divisional Forest Officer Dhar, Vijayanatham TR and Sub-Divisional Officer Sardarpur, Santosh Ranachhore, and T K Roy
- Birds Observed in Madhya Pradesh
- Ashy Drongo, Indian Cormorant, Lapwing, Great Egret, Asian Green Bee-eater, Kingfisher, Plain Prinia, Wire-tailed Swallow
- Birds Observed in Delhi
- Painted Stork, Little Grebe, Little Cormorant, Black-crowned Night Heron, Indian Pond Heron, Little Egret, Large Egret, Red-naped Ibis, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Common Teal, Northern Shoveler, Red-wattled Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, White-breasted Waterhen, Common Moorhen, Rosy Pelican, Small Blue Kingfisher, White-breasted Kingfisher
- Most Observed Bird in Madhya Pradesh
- Ashy Drongo
- First Bird Registered Online in Madhya Pradesh
- Plain Prinia
- Total Birds Counted in Delhi
- 1,310
- Largest Group in Delhi
- Painted Storks (930)
