Law Notify, January 18, 2026 : A three-day “Bird Survey 2026” was conducted at Baranawapara Wildlife Sanctuary from January 16 to 18, 2026, revealing rich avian diversity across the region. Preliminary data from the survey indicates that nearly 202 bird species have been recorded so far.
The survey witnessed participation from around 100 people, including 70 participants from 11 Indian states Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal, Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Karnataka along with 12 volunteers, subject experts, and wildlife photographers.
The bird survey was not limited to the Baranawapara sanctuary area alone. Observations were also carried out in the adjoining Kothari, Sonakhan, and Devpur ranges. The bird data collected during the survey will be uploaded to global biodiversity databases, contributing to international conservation research. The initiative is expected to support scientific documentation of biodiversity in the sanctuary, promote birding culture, and strengthen eco-tourism in the region.
Renowned experts including Dr Hakimuddin F. Saifi, Dr Jageshwar Verma, Mohit Sahu, and Mr Sonu Arora took part in the survey, adding scientific depth and guidance to the fieldwork.
Key Species Observed:
Several bird species emerged as major highlights of the survey. Among them was the Bar-headed Goose, a migratory species that breeds in the high-altitude Himalayan regions of Central Asia and winters across wetlands and agricultural fields in South Asia. Other notable sightings included the Grey-headed Lapwing, commonly found in wetlands and paddy fields; the Peregrine Falcon, a powerful raptor; the Blue-capped Rock Thrush; the Eurasian Sparrowhawk; and the Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, a species considered important for seed dispersal in forest ecosystems.
Sharing insights on the survey, Divisional Forest Officer Ganveer Dhammsheel said that Baranawapara represents the biodiversity of central Chhattisgarh, with a mix of sal forests and varied ecological landscapes. He added that the data generated from the survey will help identify future management priorities for the sanctuary, particularly in conserving bird species showing declining population trends.
