To strengthen the conservation of water sources and waterbirds, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and the Neemuch Birds Group conducted a waterbird survey and count in Neemuch on January 3 and 4, 2026, under the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) for the first time in the state.
According to information received from the Forest Department, this work is being completed under the direction of Divisional Forest Officer S.K. Atode and the leadership of SDO Forest Nodal Officer Dashrath Akhand, promoting citizen science with ornithologists and bird enthusiasts from the Neemuch Birds Group.
Great White Pelican spotted
The survey recorded the presence of the rare migratory bird species Great White Pelican, known for its large beak and massive hanging pouch, along with Common Teal and Ruddy Shelduck. Rare birds such as Oriental Darter, Cormorant, Egret, Pond Heron, Purple and Grey Heron, Lesser Whistling Duck, Eurasian Coot, Knob-billed Duck, Stilt, River Tern, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Grebe, Ibis, Swamp Hen, and Stork species were also observed.
Additionally, migratory birds such as Hume’s Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Siberian Stonechat, Thick-knee, Sarus Crane, Asian Barred Owl, Spotted Owl, Tawny Pipit, and Wagtail were seen in the surrounding areas.
The survey was led by Forest Department staff along with bird experts from the Neemuch Birds Group, including Dr. Sadhana Sevak, Indrajeet Singh, Nikita Yadav, Anmol Yadav, Akshay Yati, Ajay Dhakad, and Anjali Sharma.
Volunteers from Jaju College and PG College participated
Volunteers from Jaju College and PG College participated actively for the first time. The survey was conducted on January 3rd at the city’s major wetlands: Hamiria Pond, Shivaji Sagar Dam, Thikariya Pond, Jeeran, Harwar Pond, Harkiya Khal Dam, Chainpura Dam, and Ghasundi.
On the 4th of the month, this survey was conducted in the remote inland wetlands of the district, including Kirta Talab, Lasur Dam, Shripura, Kanpuriya Talab, Javi Talab, Amartiya Talab, and Lasur. Bird enthusiast Prince Sharma observed 35 species at Amartiya Talab, while Sakshi Sharma and Nikita Yadav recorded 43 species at Lasur Dam during the survey.
Dr. Sadhna Sevak of Neemuch Birds expressed gratitude to the Forest Department officials, rangers, and other collaborators for their full support. She also thanked the bird enthusiasts of Neemuch Birds—Harish Bhati, Sakshi, Kusum, Bhagyashree Panwar, Nirmala Prajapati, Bhupendra, Jayraj, Kumkum, and Madhubala—for their enthusiasm and dedication in quickly learning bird identification and data entry using the eBird app, thus contributing to the success of the aquatic bird count in Neemuch.
