Birding Guide Training Workshop to be conducted from May 31

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are home to over 284 species of birds including subspecies, of which 28 species and 105 subspecies are endemic. This attracts tourists and bird watchers from around the globe to add a 'lifer' or a new bird species to their list of birds spotted. Given the dense canopy of forests, the mangrove ecosystem and the wide array of tropical fruits, birds here are easy to spot even from the balcony. A trek, a pair of binoculars, some patience and a good guide will have one awestruck at the sheer beauty and uniqueness of the endemic species that have evolved on these stunning islands. There is a tremendous scope for promoting the Islands as one of the most preferred bird watching destinations. 

   The Department of Environment and Forests and the Tourism Department, Andaman & Nicobar Administration will be jointly conducting  a 5 day training workshop for bird watching guides, introducing to the basics of bird identification with additional information on its various forms, behavior, calls and adaptation to various ecosystems. The participants (approximately 25 in number) will familiarize to different skill sets from using binoculars and a bird book to logging data. 

   The training workshop will be held in different ecosystems in the Andaman Islands apart from class room settings during various time periods to make acquainted the participants to the birds found. At the end of the workshop, the participants will be able to successfully spot, identify and provide additional information, which will endow with them with the skills needed to be good bird guides. Also the participants will be taught about jungle crafts, soft skills in dealing with the varied groups of people and the best practices to be adopted while in field including safety issues. 

   The training workshop is scheduled to be conducted from 31.05.2016 to 04.6.2016 for 25 participants. The participants will be provided with a participation certificate and a second round of training will be organised for the same participants during October-November 2016. On successful completion of the both the trainings, the participants will be registered as bird watching guides in the Islands, recognized by both Environment and Forests, and Tourism departments.  Persons who are interested in birding and become bird watching guides should have the ability to walk inside forests, coastal areas and mangroves. Interested and willing DCC/DLRC meeting today participants are requested to enroll for the training programme with the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Division, Haddo (03192-232816) from 13.05.2016 to 27.05. 2016, a communication received here said.