The excitement surrounding birdwatching soared in Agartala on Sunday as children, young adults, and their parents gathered at MBB College Lake for a special “Morning with Birds” walk held to mark Young Birders’ Month (YBM). The event saw the participation of 30 nature enthusiasts, including 14 children, four youngsters, and their parents, who came together for an enriching early-morning experience from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM.
Young Birders’ Month, observed nationwide, is an initiative of Early Bird—a nature-education programme under the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF). It aims to nurture ecological awareness among young learners by helping them understand the importance of birds as indicators of a healthy environment. Through such programmes, children are encouraged to develop curiosity, observational skills, and a lifelong appreciation for wildlife.
The Agartala birdwalk placed special emphasis on involving parents, recognising that their engagement is crucial in sustaining children’s interest in the natural world. Organisers highlighted that when parents actively participate, children are more likely to continue exploring nature beyond a single event.
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Dipak Sinha, Assistant Professor at the College of Agriculture, Tripura and Regional Coordinator for Bird Count India, along with veteran birdwatcher Dipankar Dev. Under their guidance, participants observed a rich variety of species, including Whistling Ducks, Kingfishers, Orioles, Barbets, Parakeets, and Green Pigeons. The diversity of sightings made the morning both educational and exciting for the young birders.
To make the session even more engaging, interactive nature-based games such as Heron & Snipe and Bird Whisper were introduced. These playful activities not only entertained the children but also helped them connect more deeply with their surroundings, adding a fun and memorable dimension to the learning experience.
