2025-09-19

The Wings of Awareness orientation programme was organized at AKJM School, Kanjirappally, under the initiative of the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) conceived and supported by Buimerc India Foundation. This programme aims to awaken in students an appreciation for the natural world, with a special focus on birds, while encouraging them to grow into responsible stewards of the environment. The project will be implemented across 20 schools in Kottayam District, engaging around 1,000 students and 60 teachers.

The proceedings were steered by Ms. Jewal Maria, student coordinator and also extended a cordial welcome to the gathering. The inaugural address was delivered by the Principal, Rev. Fr. Augustine Thomas SJ, who conveyed his best wishes to the students. He emphasized how valuable such an initiative is for the school community, calling it a wonderful opportunity for students to broaden their horizons beyond classroom learning.

The introductory remarks were then delivered by Dr. Nelson P. Abraham, Vice President of TIES. In his talk, he shed light on the broader vision of the Wings of Awareness initiative and spoke about the importance of curiosity, observation, and awareness in shaping the next generation of nature lovers.

Once the formal introductions concluded, a baseline survey was carried out among the teachers and students. They responded to questionnaires designed to gauge their present level of awareness and attitudes toward birds and ecological issues. This survey formed an important first step in mapping the growth and impact of the project in the months ahead.

The main segment of the programme was a highly engaging session on bird watching and ornithology, led by Mr. Sarath Babu, Nature Education Officer of TIES. Through an interactive style of teaching, he introduced the students to bird species, their habits, and techniques of identification. The young participants displayed great enthusiasm, answering questions eagerly and showing sharp observation skills.

The final part of the programme was the introduction of the CROW (Children's Resources for Ornithology and Wilderness) app by Ms. Suhaana, Project Officer of Wings of Awareness. She demonstrated how the app could be used as a citizen science tool, enabling students to record bird sightings and contribute to real-time data collection for conservation. 

The orientation session at AKJM School, Kanjirappally, was an inspiring start to the Wings of Awareness programme in the institution. The active participation of students, encouragement from teachers, and guidance from the TIES team made the event a memorable and meaningful step towards nurturing curiosity and care for nature.

The programme was coordinated by, Mr. Suresh Babu, Mrs. Preetha S faculties from AKJM School, and Limna Alena Baby, intern from TIES.