Hyderabad Bird Atlas takes flight at KBR Park

metro india news  I hyderabad

More than 300 citizen scientists have begun documenting Hyderabad's birdlife as the fourth edition of the Hyderabad Bird Atlas (HBA) got underway with a bird survey at Kasu Brahmananda Reddy (KBR) National Park on Saturday. The city-wide initiative, running from July 4 to July 26, will cover nearly 180 locations across Hyderabad to create a long-term scientific record of the city's avian diversity.

The survey at KBR National Park, one of Hyderabad's most significant urban biodiversity hotspots, marked the launch of the latest atlas season. The Jubilee Hills survey cell covers both the national park and the surrounding residential neighbourhoods, allowing volunteers to record bird species found in both natural and urban habitats.

The survey was flagged off by Vinay Kumar, IFS, PCCF (HoFF) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Telangana Forest Department, along with Srinivas, DFO, Hyderabad. The officials highlighted that Hyderabad is home to over 200 bird species and appreciated the efforts of volunteers in documenting the city's rich biodiversity.

Despite being surrounded by dense urban development, KBR National Park continues to serve as an important refuge for wildlife. Birdwatchers regularly record species such as the Indian Peafowl, Rose-ringed Parakeet, White-throated Kingfisher, Oriental Magpie Robin, Purple Sunbird, Shikra and various bulbuls and babblers, underlining the park's ecological importance in the heart of the city. This year's Hyderabad Bird Atlas has also placed special emphasis on monitoring House Crow populations following concerns over their apparent decline in parts of Hyderabad. Organisers said consistent monitoring across seasons will help establish reliable population trends and support future conservation planning.

Farida Tampal, State Director, WWF-India, Hyderabad, said KBR National Park demonstrates that rich biodiversity can thrive even in the heart of a busy city. She said the Hyderabad Bird Atlas also shows how ordinary citizens can make an extraordinary contribution to understanding and conserving urban wildlife.

Vikas Pawar, Survey Lead for the cell, said every season of the Hyderabad Bird Atlas builds a stronger picture of the city's birdlife. He said the data collected during the survey will help shape conservation decisions for Hyderabad in the years to come.

Modelled on successful bird atlas projects in other Indian cities, the Hyderabad Bird Atlas brings together members of Hyderabad Birding Pals, Deccan Birders and independent birdwatchers, demonstrating how community participation can play a meaningful role in conserving Hyderabad's natural heritage.