Delhi Bird Census: Over 160 Bird Species, 21 First Time Sightings Documented
More than 160 bird species including endangered and migratory ones like the greater flamingo and Indian pitta have been recorded across the national capital as part of the Delhi Bird Atlas.
The summer phase of the atlas -- a pioneering citizen science initiative supported by Wildlife SOS and the Delhi Forest and Wildlife Department -- reported 21 first-time sightings and saw over 600 checklists uploaded to the eBird platform, surpassing the winter documentation efforts, according to a statement.
The project, which divides Delhi into 145 observation zones, is aimed at building a long-term understanding of avian distribution patterns across seasons, officials said.
Alongside this documentation drive, Wildlife SOS has intensified its rescue efforts during the scorching summer, saving nearly 500 birds till May 2025. These included raptors and migratory species impacted by extreme heat, electrocution, collisions, and habitat stress.
Shyam Sunder Kandpal, Chief Wildlife Warden, said the Delhi Bird Atlas is not just a scientific initiative but a "community-powered effort" to reconnect people with nature and create a data-backed conservation strategy for the capital.
The initiative also underscores the growing role of citizens in spotting and reporting injured or distressed birds, often triggering rescue operations.
"With Delhi reeling under erratic climate patterns and rising pollution, initiatives like the Bird Atlas become all the more urgent," said Wasim Akram, Director of Special Projects at Wildlife SOS.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla shares mesmerising view of Earth from International Space Station
Image: Axiom Space Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla , the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS), has shared stunning images of Earth from space, captivating millions across India and beyond. In his latest pictures, Shukla is seen seated at the edge of the ISS's iconic 7-windowed Cupola Module , with the vast, blue planet Earth majestically visible in the background. These panoramic views highlight the beauty of our home planet, inspiring pride and a renewed sense of global unity. Shukla's journey aboard the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission marks a historic milestone for India's space ambitions. Shubhashu Shukla's historic mission and arrival at ISS Shubhanshu Shukla embarked on the Axiom Space Ax-4 mission , launching aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA 's Kennedy Space Center on June 25, 2025. After a 28-hour journey, the crew, including veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, Polish scientist Slawosz Uznanski, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, successfully docked with the ISS on June 26. Shukla serves as the mission pilot, contributing to scientific research and technology demonstrations during the 14-day mission. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo The iconic Cupola Module: A window to Earth The Cupola Module, with its seven windows, offers astronauts an unparalleled panoramic view of Earth and space. Shukla's photographs from this vantage point reveal breathtaking scenes of continents, oceans, and weather patterns, emphasizing the planet's interconnectedness. His images have been widely shared on social media platforms, including the Indian government's official X account (formerly Twitter), where they have garnered immense admiration and pride. Scientific endeavors and outreach Beyond capturing mesmerizing visuals, Shukla is actively engaged in critical scientific investigations aboard the ISS. One key experiment focuses on myogenesis, studying how microgravity accelerates muscle atrophy — a challenge for long-duration spaceflight. The data collected is vital for future missions deeper into space and for understanding muscle degeneration on Earth. Alongside research, Shukla participates in global outreach, inspiring the next generation of scientists and explorers in India and worldwide. A message of unity from space In conversations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shukla described seeing India from space as a profound experience, noting that the country appeared "much larger and grander" than on any map. He remarked on the absence of visible borders from orbit, expressing a powerful sense of oneness and shared humanity. This perspective resonates deeply as India celebrates its growing presence in the international space community. National pride and inspiration The release of Shukla's spaceborne photographs has sparked widespread excitement across India. Social media is abuzz with admiration for the astronaut's achievement and the spectacular views he has shared. His journey symbolizes a new era for Indian space exploration, inspiring millions to dream beyond Earth's boundaries and fostering a spirit of scientific curiosity and national pride.
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Dr Jitendra Singh launches National BioBank' for personalised healthcare for every Indian
New Delhi, July 6 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Vice President of CSIR, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today inaugurated the Phenome India National Biobank National aiming to promise personalised healthcare for every Indian based on their genetic background, lifestyle and envirornment. Designed on the lines of the UK Biobank but contextualised for Indian diversity, the biobank will collect and analyse genetic, lifestyle and clinical data from 10,000 individuals across the country. It is housed at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) here. Dr Singh who also launched India's first longitudinal population health study on the occasion, said, 'This is a decisive step towards individualised healthcare, one where treatment can be tailored to a person's genetic background, lifestyle and environment.' The Biobank will support long-term research into a host of conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, rare genetic diseases and cancers, with a view to improve diagnostics, therapeutic targeting and disease prevention strategies, said a statement from the Ministry. Highlighting the unique metabolic and epidemiological characteristics observed in the Indian population, Dr. Singh underscored the need for population-specific strategies. 'Indians may appear lean but still harbour central obesity, a known risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases,' he noted. 'Our conditions are complex and deeply heterogeneous. This is where the Biobank becomes vital.' CSIR-IGIB's current projects, including indigenous CRISPR trials for sickle cell anaemia, efforts against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and diagnostics for liver fibrosis and rare disorders, are expected to greatly benefit from the high-resolution health data generated through the Biobank. Calling for enhanced synergy between research institutions, government departments and the private sector, Dr. Singh emphasised the need to bridge lab-based research with social impact. 'Scientific breakthroughs must transition from the bench to the bedside—and ultimately to the marketplace,' he said. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, emphasised its potential to evolve into a global benchmark. 'This is a baby step today, but it holds the promise to rival international projects in both scale and depth,' she said. Dr. Kalaiselvi also reiterated CSIR's efforts in developing affordable diagnostics and CRISPR-based therapies in collaboration with tribal communities, particularly for sickle cell anaemia—a disease with high prevalence in certain regions of India. Reflecting on IGIB's pioneering legacy in genomics, Dr. Souvik Maiti, Director of CSIR-IGIB, noted that the institute was the first in India to begin decoding the human genome, even before sequencing tools became widely available. He cited IGIB's development of over 300 genetic diagnostics, its leadership in COVID-19 genome surveillance, and India's first Drug Genome Project. IGIB's expanding research now includes women-centric studies, breast cancer genomics, and innovative work in space biology and AI-assisted pilot fitness assessments in collaboration with the Indian Air Force, said the statement. UNI AJ GNK
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Shux, Ax-4 crew carry out multiple studies on brain
More than halfway through their journey aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla (Shux) and the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew have plunged deep into a battery of neuroscience experiments designed to decode how spaceflight alters memory, perception, speech, and even the body's stress response. From virtual reality headsets to voice analysis and functional brain scans, the crew's research is laying the foundation for safer, smarter, and longer human missions beyond Earth, while also holding the potential to yield insights for life on Earth. Inside the weightless lab, crew members donned a VR headset for the Neuromotion VR study, navigating attention-based tasks while wearing a cap lined with fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) sensors. As per Axiom Space, these sensors track blood flow in the brain, offering real-time insight into how microgravity affects focus, planning, and movement. To triangulate these findings, astronauts also provided saliva and tear samples—biological markers that may reveal stress and neurochemical shifts in space. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Adding another layer to brain research, the team participated in the Voice in Space experiment, which could one day allow AI to detect signs of cognitive fatigue or stress based on speech alone. Cognitive flexibility was put to the test through the Acquired Equivalence Test, a psychological challenge that gauges associative learning in disorienting conditions. By measuring how astronauts process flipped or rotated visual cues in orbit compared to pre-and-post-flight performance, researchers hope to understand how the brain learns and adapts in unfamiliar environments. Mental acuity wasn't the only focus. The Ax-4 team contributed to 'ENPERCHAR', a perceptual awareness study analysing how spatial orientation and environmental awareness shift without gravity's pull. These insights are essential for designing future spacecraft and habitats that foster both mental and physical well-being. The Voyager Displays project also had the crew assessing eye movement, gaze tracking, and pointing accuracy. Simple tasks, like selecting a control or tracking motion, become more mentally taxing in microgravity. Understanding the link between cognition, stress, and sensorimotor function will help engineers build better, more intuitive systems for astronauts. Beyond the brain, Shukla continued operations for the Myogenesis study inside the Life Sciences Glovebox, examining the molecular drivers of muscle atrophy in space. The crew also explored neuromuscular electrical stimulation as a potential countermeasure, paving the way for breakthroughs that could benefit patients on Earth with age-related muscle decline or reduced mobility. From muscle loss to memory, and motion control to mental resilience, Shukla and the Ax-4 crew are trying to uncover what it truly means to take the human mind off Earth. Their efforts aren't just shaping the future of spaceflight—they're helping decode the biology of thought itself.
