2025-09-12

The Wings of Awareness project, an amateur birdwatching and naturalist education initiative implemented by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) conceived and supported by Buimerc India Foundation, aims to inspire students to connect with nature through the fascinating wor ld of birds and nurture a future generation of environmental conservationists.

As part of this initiative, the first orientation session of the programme was successfully conducted at Ebenezer International Residential School, Kottayam. The event brought together the selected student participants, coordinating teachers, and supporting non-teaching staff. 

The programme inaugurated by Principal Sonia Elizabeth Antony. A warm welcome speech was delivered by Ryan Kurian. 

An introduction to the project was delivered by Dr. Punnen Kurian, Director, TIES who outlined the vision and objectives of Wings of Awareness. This was followed by a baseline survey session for both students and teachers, who were provided with structured questionnaires to assess their existing knowledge, interests, and attitudes towards birds and nature.

A one-hour interactive class on birds was then conducted by Sarath Babu, Nature Education Officer, TIES offering students valuable insights into bird identification, ecology, and the role of birds in biodiversity. 

The session also included a presentation on the CROW (Children’s Resources for Ornithology and Wilderness) App, delivered by Suhaana, Project Officer highlighting its use as a digital tool for recording birdwatching observations. 

On the next day a birdwatching field visit was held in the school campus. The session was attended by the selected students, coordinating teachers, and the TIES team including Sarath Babu (Nature Education Officer), Anoopa Mathews (PRO, TIES), and Suhaana (Project Officer, Wings of Awareness).

The session began with an introduction to the CROW App by Suhaana, followed by Sarath Babu sharing important guidelines and tips for birdwatching, such as the need for discipline, patience, and careful observation.

Together, the orientation and the birdwatching session provided the students with an engaging introduction to the programme, equipping them with knowledge, tools, and field experience to begin their journey as amateur birdwatchers and young naturalists.

The programme was coordinated by Priya Kumari, Deepak Vishwanathan, and Reshmamol P. Sasi, faculty members of Ebenezer School, and Limna Alena Baby, an intern at TIES.