2025-09-18

The Wings of Awareness orientation session was conducted at Muslim Girls Higher Secondary School, Erattupetta, under the leadership of the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) conceived and supported by Buimerc India Foundation. This programme, which has been initiated across selected schools in the Kottayam district, aims to cultivate environmental awareness among students through bird watching and related naturalist activities. It seeks to inspire young learners to connect with nature and contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts. The project will be implemented across 20 schools in Kottayam District, engaging around 1,000 students and 60 teachers.

The session was coordinated by Ms. Aisha Siyad, the teacher coordinator. The session was attended by the selected students and teachers. This welcome speech was delivered by the Headmistress, Ms. Leena MP, who acknowledged the significance of the initiative and extended her heartfelt greetings to all guests and participants. In her address, she highlighted how such programmes provide students with opportunities to engage with nature in meaningful ways, fostering respect and responsibility for the environment.

The introductory remarks were delivered by Dr. Nelson P. Abraham, Vice President of TIES. He explained in detail the purpose and scope of the Wings of Awareness programme, underlining its goals of developing observational skills, enhancing knowledge of biodiversity, and encouraging active student participation in conservation. He stressed that this project was not just about birds, but about cultivating a generation of environmentally responsible individuals.

The inaugural address was given by Mr. Ansari MK, the School Manager, who expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the implementation of such an inspiring initiative in the school. He spoke with passion about the importance of observing birds and connecting with nature as a way of deepening one’s understanding of life. His words inspired both students and teachers to approach the programme with enthusiasm and curiosity.

Following the formal inaugural session, a baseline survey was conducted with students, which aimed to understand their current level of awareness and interest in nature and bird life. This step laid the groundwork for evaluating the impact of the programme in the coming months.

The core part of the orientation was the ornithology and bird watching class, conducted by Mr. Sarath Babu, Nature Education Officer of TIES. His session was highly engaging, filled with practical insights into bird species, their behaviors, and identification techniques. The students listened attentively as he explained how bird watching is not only a hobby but also a gateway to understanding ecosystems. The lively interaction reflected the students’ eagerness to explore this new dimension of learning.

Towards the conclusion of the session, Ms. Suhaana, Project Officer of Wings of Awareness, introduced the participants to the CROW (Children's Resources for Ornithology and Wilderness) app, a citizen science platform designed to record bird observations. She explained its features, demonstrating how students could log sightings and contribute to collective data that would benefit research and conservation. The app introduction was met with excitement, as it gave students a modern and interactive tool to complement their bird watching experiences. Last but not least, the vote of thanks was delivered by teacher coordinator Aisha Siyad.

The orientation at Muslim Girls Higher Secondary School, Erattupetta, successfully set the tone for the implementation of Wings of Awareness. The collaborative spirit of the school administration, teachers, and students, combined with the expertise of TIES, ensured that the session was both informative and inspiring. It marked the beginning of a journey where students will learn to see their surroundings through the eyes of a naturalist, nurturing a lifelong bond with the environment.

The event was coordinated by Sruthy Shaji, intern from TIES.