BIRD COUNT OF INDIA ANNOUNCED BEST BIODIVERSITY CAMPUSES IN INDIA-MACFAST SECURED 3rd POSITION IN KERALA AND 10th POSITION IN INDIA
As a part of Great Backyard Bird Count (GBCC) 2019, MACFAST Tiruvalla organized four days bird count programme from 15th February, 2019 to 18th February, 2019. Training sessions were organized inside the campus on 13th February, 2019 at 2pm for the students and public by Dr. Nishad P.M, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Applications. The theme of the training was to motivate citizen science movement and how to identify the variety of species of birds. About 25 students from MACFAST Forestry Club actively participated and the team was led by Dr. Nishad P.M, Associate Professor and Dr. Blesson George, Assistant Professor. The survey was conducted in and around MACFAST Campus. The whole data after each 15mins throughout these days were uploaded into the eBird and the summary was generated through eBird. GBBS 2019 trial was conducted in the campus on 14th February 2019 from 6.00am to 8.30am and from 4.00pm to 6.30pm. A total of 3842 birds were spotted during the survey. Also 99 species of birds were identified. 4 new reportings were reported in the survey (Baya Weaver, Streaked Weaver, Common Snip and Oriental Honey Buzzard). After the successful completion of the survey, the eBird report was evaluated by Bird Count of India. MACFAST secured the 3rd position in Kerala and 10th position in India among more than 250 Universities and Colleges. Fr.Dr.Cherian J Kottayil, Principal, MACFAST appreciated the team “MACFAST Forestry Club” and mentioned the importance of knowing nature and how the programme influenced the youth to explore the nature and surroundings. Results are available onlinein Bird Count of India website.
