2025-09-23

The Wings of Awareness project, implemented by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) conceived and supported by Buimerc India Foundation, is a unique initiative designed to encourage school students to explore and appreciate the world of birds. Through bird watching and experiential learning, the programme aims to foster curiosity, enhance awareness about biodiversity, and build a deeper connection between children and nature. The project will be implemented across 20 schools in Kottayam District, engaging around 1,000 students and 60 teachers.

As part of this initiative, an orientation session was organized at Excelsior English School, Illickal. The session was coordinated by teacher Ms. Smitha Alex, whose guidance ensured the smooth conduct of the programme. A warm welcome was then extended to the gathering by Tanvi Sunil Pillai of class 8, who represented the student community with confidence and enthusiasm.

Following the welcome, Dr. Punnen Kurian, Director of TIES, delivered the introductory remarks. He explained the project’s vision, its goals, and its relevance in today’s world where children often remain detached from natural surroundings. He highlighted how Wings of Awareness not only cultivates observational skills but also builds a sense of environmental stewardship through hands-on learning.

The inaugural address was then delivered by Ms. Rosey Mathew, Correspondent of the school. In her speech, she reflected on the importance of appreciating the beauty of birds and nurturing a bond with the environment. She also spoke about the bird species commonly seen around the school’s campus, inspiring the students to take a closer look at the diversity present in their own surroundings.

As part of the session, a survey activity was conducted among the participants to understand their initial perspectives and interest levels in bird watching. This exercise served as a baseline for shaping future activities and gave students an opportunity to share their thoughts.

The central segment of the programme was a class on birds and bird watching, conducted by Mr. Sarath Babu, Nature Education Officer of TIES. His engaging and interactive session familiarized the students with bird identification, field ethics, and the joy of observing nature closely. Through stories, demonstrations, and practical insights, he instilled curiosity and excitement in the young participants.

The final session was led by Ms. Suhaana, Project Officer of Wings of Awareness, who introduced the CROW (Children's Resources for Ornithology and Wilderness) app, a mobile application developed exclusively for the project. She explained its features and demonstrated how it could be used to record sightings, track observations, and contribute to citizen science initiatives. This segment encouraged students to blend technology with nature study in a meaningful way.

The orientation class at Excelsior English School, Illickal, turned out to be a vibrant and inspiring experience. The active involvement of students, support from the faculty, and the expertise of the TIES team created an atmosphere of enthusiasm and curiosity. The event marked a promising start to the Wings of Awareness journey in the school, encouraging students to begin their own explorations into the fascinating world of birds and the environment around them.

The programme was coordinated by Aparna Raj ,Intern TIES