Kids with sight, hearing disabilities decode bird calls in U'khand avian census

16.11.2025
Dehradun: Visually and hearing-impaired students in Dehradun took part in the second cycle of the Uttarakhand Bird Count (UBC) 2025 on Saturday identifying 28 bird species during three sessions held within their school campus. Statewide, 144 observers, including specially-abled participants, recorded 344 species from a checklist of 371, officials said.

The children, trained over several weeks, approached birdwatching through distinct sensory methods eight visually impaired boys used sound, while nine hearing-impaired students relied on sight. "This is the first time specially-abled children have been formally included in a bird count anywhere in the country," said Riya Jain, an intern with the Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board. "They conducted the observation independently after being trained in bird calls and physical traits."

Parakeets, blue whistling thrushes and multiple species of sparrows were among those identified. Naturalist Arun Sarkar, who led the Dehradun sessions, said the students had not been assisted beyond orientation. "We called the modules 'ears over eyes' and 'silent conversation with nature' not as metaphors, but as descriptions of how they actually observed birds," he told TOI.

Ornithologist Sanjay Sondhi, one of the lead coordinators, said the bird count was structured as a citizen science initiative. "Our aim is full participation and these children are not outliers. Their capacity to engage with nature is no less than anyone else's," he said.

At Sharp Memorial School for the Blind, students aged 7 to 16 have been involved in nature-based activities for nearly a year. Superintendent Ancy John said the outdoor sessions have become central to their learning. "They take pride in these opportunities. This isn't token inclusion they are genuinely excited to be part of the larger effort," she said.

Vansh Srivastava, a Class 7 student who is visually impaired, said he had been learning to identify birds by sound for several months. "Today we learnt about dodos and drongos. We also heard about the spitting cobra and green and black mambas during our walk," he said. The census is being conducted by the forest department, with support from local NGOs, birdwatchers, students and naturalists. Saturday's count began with a tribute to Suniti Bhushan Datta a prominent birder from Doon Valley who died of cardiac arrest a day earlier, on his way to participate.

Observers in Nainital recorded a flock of over 50 vultures including cinereous vulture, Himalayan griffon and steppe eagle, all on the IUCN Red List. In Munsyari, the elusive satyr tragopan was spotted a species not recorded in last year's cycle. The first UBC in 2024 had documented 399 species out of the 729 known from Uttarakhand. This year's count will include 81 birding sessions 62 public walks and 19 invitation-only events covering all 13 districts.