Silchar: Gurucharan University recorded 29 bird species on campus this week during its sixth consecutive Campus Bird Count 2026, highlighting the university premises as a habitat with notable avifaunal diversity.The department of zoology organised the count as part of the 29th edition of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a global citizen-science initiative jointly run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society in collaboration with BirdLife International.
Students carried out the survey using binoculars, field guides and mobile applications to log sightings during the designated counting period, while faculty supervised species identification and data submission.Species recorded included the Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher and Asian Tit. Other birds commonly observed were the Spotted Dove, Common Myna, Black Kite, Blue-throated Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Black-rumped Flameback and Rufous Treepie.Debipreeta Dutta, head of the department of Zoology, said birdwatching contributes to mental and physical well-being by reducing stress and promoting mindfulness. She noted that birding enhances focus, observation skills and patience, while also fostering community bonding and conservation awareness among students.The department said the exercise supports experiential learning and contributes data to global bird research and biodiversity conservation, adding that the annual count reflects the university’s focus on academic excellence, environmental awareness and holistic student development.
