National Zoological Park Records 46 Bird Species During 67th Foundation Day Celebrations

The National Zoological Park (NZP) in New Delhi recorded 46 bird species and more than 500 individual birds during a special birdwatching programme organised on 1 November 2026 as part of its 67th Foundation Day celebrations. The observations were made during the nineteenth edition of the park’s Sunday Bird Walk, an initiative designed to encourage public participation in biodiversity monitoring, wildlife education and the conservation of urban ecosystems.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the programme brought together bird enthusiasts, students, wildlife photographers and nature lovers for a guided exploration of the park’s avian diversity. The event formed part of broader foundation-day activities aimed at strengthening public awareness of wildlife conservation and highlighting the importance of zoological institutions in environmental education.

Birdwatching Programme Documents 46 Species

The nineteenth edition of Sunday Bird Walk @ NZP was conducted between 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM under the guidance of ornithologist Dr Paritosh Ahmed, with assistance from volunteers associated with the programme. Eighteen participants joined the three-hour activity, observing and documenting birds within a designated area of the zoological park.

During the walk, participants identified 46 bird species and recorded more than 500 individual birds. The observations contributed to field-level biodiversity documentation while giving participants practical experience in bird identification, ecological observation and wildlife monitoring. The exercise also provided an opportunity to understand the relationships between birds, vegetation, food availability and environmental conditions within an urban green space.

The bird count represents observations made during a specific monitoring session rather than a comprehensive census of every bird species inhabiting the zoological park. Nevertheless, such activities generate useful field records that can contribute to understanding local biodiversity when supported by consistent observation and appropriate documentation.

Understanding the Ecological Importance of Birds

Birds perform several important ecological functions, including seed dispersal, pollination, insect population regulation and nutrient cycling. Different species occupy distinct ecological niches, making their presence and distribution useful indicators of habitat characteristics and environmental conditions.

During the programme, participants received guidance on bird ecology, behaviour and conservation. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of birds in natural pest control and their usefulness as indicators of ecosystem health. Observing differences in feeding behaviour, movement and habitat preferences can help participants develop a broader understanding of the ecological relationships operating within green spaces.

Urban parks and wooded landscapes can provide valuable habitats for resident birds and temporary refuge for species moving through cities. Vegetation, water availability and suitable nesting or resting sites influence the diversity of birds that may use these areas. Maintaining healthy urban habitats is therefore an important consideration in biodiversity conservation, particularly in densely populated metropolitan regions.

National Zoological Park Marks 67 Years of Conservation and Education

The birdwatching programme coincided with the National Zoological Park’s 67th Foundation Day celebrations, which included a creative outreach initiative designed to involve visitors in wildlife awareness activities. Approximately 1,500 visitors participated in or engaged with the celebrations, which encouraged children and families to express their understanding of nature and wildlife through a doodle activity.

The initiative provided a platform for connecting recreational visits with environmental education. By encouraging visitors to explore conservation themes through creative expression, the programme sought to make wildlife protection more accessible to audiences who may not otherwise participate in formal biodiversity activities.

Dr Sanjeet Kumar, Director of the National Zoological Park, highlighted the importance of modern zoological institutions as centres for conservation, animal welfare, research and public education. He emphasised that zoological parks have responsibilities extending beyond the exhibition of animals, including encouraging informed public participation in the protection of biodiversity.

The foundation-day activities reflected this wider institutional role by combining public engagement with a structured wildlife observation programme. Together, the initiatives demonstrated how zoological institutions can provide opportunities for both organised biodiversity documentation and informal environmental learning.

Encouraging Citizen Participation in Biodiversity Monitoring

The Sunday Bird Walk initiative is designed to provide participants with direct exposure to wildlife observation under expert supervision. Rather than limiting conservation awareness to classroom instruction or information displays, the programme encourages people to examine living ecosystems and develop practical identification skills.

According to the Ministry, each bird walk accommodates approximately 20 to 25 participants to ensure meaningful interaction with experts and effective field learning. Registration is mandatory, with places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration process remains open from Monday to Friday through information available on the National Zoological Park’s official website and its NZP Saathi mobile application.

Such structured participation can help introduce students and members of the public to citizen science, in which interested individuals contribute observations that may support scientific and conservation activities. When collected systematically and verified appropriately, citizen-generated biodiversity records can complement professional monitoring efforts and improve public understanding of changes in local wildlife populations.

The initiative also encourages participants to recognise the importance of conserving habitats within cities. Urban biodiversity depends not only on large protected forests but also on smaller green spaces, water bodies and connected vegetation that provide resources for birds and other wildlife.

Strengthening Urban Biodiversity Awareness

The observation of 46 bird species during a single guided walk demonstrates the diversity of avian life encountered within the designated area of the National Zoological Park during the survey period. While the findings do not independently establish changes in bird populations or long-term ecological trends, they provide a useful record of species presence and an opportunity to encourage further observation.

Repeated surveys conducted under comparable conditions can help conservation professionals and participating observers develop a clearer understanding of seasonal variation, habitat use and changes in local bird communities. Such information becomes increasingly valuable as urban expansion, pollution, habitat fragmentation and changing environmental conditions affect the availability and quality of wildlife habitats.

The National Zoological Park’s foundation-day programme illustrates the value of combining conservation education with practical biodiversity observation. By involving citizens in guided wildlife activities, zoological institutions can encourage greater awareness of the ecological processes that sustain urban wildlife and the need to protect habitats beyond conventional wildlife sanctuaries.

The 67th Foundation Day celebrations therefore represented more than an institutional anniversary. Through the documentation of 46 bird species and the participation of visitors in wildlife awareness activities, the National Zoological Park reinforced the importance of public engagement, ecological understanding and sustained conservation efforts in protecting India’s natural heritage.

---