2025-09-22

The orientation session of the Wings of Awareness programme was organized at HSS & VHSS Brahmamangalam by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) conceived and supported by Buimerc India Foundation.The initiative, being implemented in selected schools of Kottayam district, seeks to build a strong bond between students and nature through bird watching and related ecological activities, ultimately nurturing a conservation-minded younger generation. The project will be implemented across 20 schools in Kottayam District, engaging around 1,000 students and 60 teachers.
The Headmistress, Ms. N. Jayasree, extended a warm welcome to the gathering and highlighted the relevance of the project in shaping environmentally responsible learners. Thereafter, Dr. Punnen Kurian, Director of TIES, delivered the introductory address, offering insights into the goals of Wings of Awareness. He emphasized the project’s vision of inspiring students to observe, learn, and take responsibility for protecting the natural world.
The inaugural message was shared by Mr. T. R. Suganthan, Manager of the school. In his talk, he reflected on the unique opportunity the programme presented and spoke on the critical role birds play in sustaining ecosystemsTo understand the students’ current familiarity with birds and nature, a brief survey was conducted as part of the orientation.
The main attraction of the programme was the ornithology session by Mr. Ajayan Kumar M. N(Director board member, TIES). His class provided students with valuable knowledge about bird species, their habits, and methods of observation. The interactive nature of the session kept participants engaged and inspired to learn more about avian life.
Later, Ms. Suhaana, Project Officer of Wings of Awareness, introduced the participants to the CROW(Children's Resources for Ornithology and Wilderness)  app. She explained how the platform enables students to document bird sightings and contribute data to citizen science initiatives. The demonstration generated enthusiasm, giving students a modern tool to enrich their bird watching experiences.
The orientation session at HSS & VHSS Brahmamangalam marked a promising beginning for the Wings of Awareness programme in the school. With the active cooperation of the school community and the expertise of TIES, the initiative is expected to inspire students to view the natural world with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of responsibility toward conservation.
The programme was coordinated by Ms. Sajitha T. P, faculty from HSS & VHSS Brahmamangalam.