Key Facts about Asian Waterbird Census
29-01-2025
08:30 AM

Asian Waterbird Census Latest News
As per the Asian Waterbird Census-2025, a record number of 39,725 birds belonging to 106 species have been sighted in the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining wetlands.

About Asian Waterbird Census
- It is a citizen-science programme that supports the conservation and management of wetlands and waterbirds worldwide.
- It is conducted annually and is part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC).
- It was initiated in 1987 in the Indian subcontinent and since has grown rapidly to cover major region of Asia, from Afghanistan eastwards to Japan, Southeast Asia and Australasia.
- The census thus covers the entire East Asian – Australasian Flyway and a large part of the Central Asian Flyway.
- In India it is conducted under the aegis of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in early January.
What is Bombay Natural History Society?
- It is a Non-Governmental Organisation in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research.
- BNHS has been designated as a 'Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation' by the Department of Science and Technology. BNHS is the partner of Bird Life International in India.
Asian waterbird census FAQs
Q1: Who conducts the Asian waterbird census?
Ans: The AWC is an integral part of the global waterbird monitoring programme, the International Waterbird Census (IWC), coordinated by Wetlands International.
Q2: What is the Wildlife Institute of India?
Ans: It is an autonomous institution established in 1982 under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Government of India.
Q3: What is the international waterbird census?
Ans: It is a monitoring programme operating in 143 countries to collect information on the numbers of waterbirds at wetland sites.
Source: TH