The Asian Waterbird Census (AWBC), an annual initiative by Wetlands International to monitor wetland bird populations and assess habitat health across Asia, is currently being conducted in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Andaman Avians Club (AAC), which has led the census locally for several years, commenced this year’s survey on January 3, 2026, and it will continue until January 18, 2026.
This year, the AAC partnered with multiple organisations to ensure wide participation, including the Department of Environment & Forests, Directorate of Education, Andaman Nicobar Environment Team (ANET)–Dakshin Foundation, The Naturalist School, Bengaluru, and local tour operator Tribemen.in.
On January 11, birders and volunteers gathered near Government School, Ograbraj, to carry out field surveys along the wetlands. Participants included AAC members, ANET representatives, staff from the Forest Department, school teachers and students from GSSS Tushnabad and GMS Ograbraj, children of nearby IRBn staff, and tourism students from ITI Dollygunj. A few parents accompanying the students also volunteered.
The programme was attended by Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Dinesh Kannan and Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Sandeep Behra from South Andaman. Secretary of Tourism Jyothi Kumari was also present. Participants were divided into groups with assigned team guides and briefed on wetland ecosystems, bird species, and the proper use of binoculars and checklists before embarking on bird walks along Ograbraj wetlands.
By the end of the survey, volunteers documented over 40 bird species, including a robust population of the endemic Andaman Teal. All collected data will be uploaded to the eBird portal, which monitors the AWBC project across the continent.
The survey also welcomed guests from New York: Andrew and Puja Sharma from the Cornell Lab, which developed the eBird application. They expressed appreciation for the involvement of school children in conservation initiatives.
Speaking to The Wave Andaman, Dinesh Kannan highlighted the ecological significance of birds in seed dispersal and forest regeneration, while stressing the importance of preventing illegal hunting under the Wildlife Protection Act. Dr Ashwini Kumar, President of the Andaman Avians Club, thanked participants and encouraged students to pursue birdwatching as a hobby and to engage with AAC for broader conservation efforts.
The AWBC in India runs from January 3 to January 18, 2026, within a broader Asian census period from December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026. Across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the AAC is conducting surveys from Diglipur to Great Nicobar, with some remote islands scheduled for completion by February 28, according to Amrit Raha, eBird Regional Coordinator for the Union Territory.
The census aims to provide critical data for wetland conservation and to promote awareness among local communities, including schoolchildren, about the importance of preserving bird habitats and biodiversity.
