2025-09-17

The orientation session of Wings of Awareness—an amateur bird watching and naturalist training initiative—was successfully conducted at Mar Gregorios High School, Pampady. The program is implemented by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) conceived and supported by Buimerc India Foundation. The aim of the initiative is to foster a generation of environmentally conscious students and to connect them with nature through experiential learning. This approach not only nurtures ecological sensitivity but also enhances students’ focus and observational skills, ultimately benefiting their academic performance. The project will be implemented across 20 schools in Kottayam District, engaging around 1,000 students and 60 teachers.

The formal proceedings commenced with an introductory address by Dr. Punnen Kurian, Director of TIES. He elaborated on the objectives of the Wings of Awareness program and highlighted the significance of experiential learning in today’s education system. Dr. Kurian emphasized how bird watching and naturalist training can foster curiosity, patience, and a deeper understanding of biodiversity among students.

This was followed by the inaugural address by the school’s Headmaster, Mr. Aby Jacob, who commended TIES for its commendable work in environmental education and outreach. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to TIES and the Buimerc India Foundation for selecting Mar Gregorios High School as one of the beneficiaries of the program. He particularly appreciated the fact that the program is fully funded, making it accessible to students from economically modest backgrounds.

Following the speeches, a baseline survey was conducted in which students and teachers participated actively. The survey aimed to assess the participants' existing knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to nature and bird watching, forming a foundation for the impact assessment of the program in the future.

The core learning session of the day was a class on ornithology and bird watching, once again led by Dr. Punnen Kurian. The session was highly engaging, with Dr. Kurian effectively using real-life examples and relatable scenarios to explain bird behavior, identification techniques, and the ecological roles of birds. The interactive nature of the session encouraged active participation from the students, who responded enthusiastically and asked insightful questions.

Dr. Kurian concluded the class with detailed instructions on how to use the field guide and the naturalist diary, essential tools for budding bird watchers. These toolkits were then distributed to both students and teachers.

The final segment of the session was handled by Ms. Suhaana, Project Officer of Wings of Awareness, who introduced the participants to the CROW (Children's Resources for Ornithology and Wilderness) app—a digital platform developed specifically for recording bird sightings and observations under the program. She provided a step-by-step demonstration on how to use the app effectively, encouraging students to utilize it during their future birding activities.

The orientation session served as a dynamic launchpad for the Wings of Awareness program at Mar Gregorios High School. It instilled enthusiasm among the students and teachers, laying a strong foundation for further naturalist activities and learning. The active participation and interest shown by the students indicated the program’s potential to create meaningful environmental impact and personal growth in the days ahead.

The programme was coordinated by Preetha Mathew, teacher coordinator, and Reni Abraham, faculty and Aparna Raj, Intern from TIES.