Anirudh Singh, a student from Maharishi Vidya Mandir, recalls how spotting his first bird ignited an eight-year journey across 13 states, during which he identified over 600 species. His experience reflects a broader trend of children actively engaging with nature and conservation

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Hyderabad has witnessed a surge in young birdwatchers, with children actively participating in major birding events like the Hyderabad Bird Atlas and the 17th Wings Bird Race. Organized by Deccan Birders, The Yuhina Canopy, and Birds of India, these initiatives showcased enthusiastic involvement from school students, highlighting a growing environmental awareness among the city’s youth.

The 17th Wings Bird Race featured nine young participants competing to spot and identify the highest number of bird species across the city on Sunday. The competition was fierce, leading to an all-kids team winning first place, while another team of young birders secured third. Armed with binoculars and field guides, the children demonstrated their keen observational skills, proving that birdwatching is no longer just for seasoned naturalists.

Concurrently, the Hyderabad Bird Atlas, a community-driven project focused on mapping the city’s bird diversity, engaged young volunteers in documenting various species across urban and semi-urban locations. Their contributions have become integral to global conservation databases like eBird, which track bird populations and biodiversity trends.

For many young participants, birdwatching has developed into a lifelong passion. Anirudh Singh, a student from Maharishi Vidya Mandir, recalls how spotting his first bird ignited an eight-year journey across 13 states, during which he identified over 600 species. His experience reflects a broader trend of children actively engaging with nature and conservation.

Vikas Pawar, a dedicated birder, emphasized the importance of early exposure to nature, praising the enthusiasm of his daughters, Antara and Dhwani, both of whom are avid birdwatchers. “When children engage with nature from a young age, they develop a deep-rooted commitment to conservation,” he stated.