2025-09-24

The Wings of Awareness programme, designed and implemented by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) conceived and supported by Buimerc India Foundation, is an educational initiative that inspires children to engage with nature through the practice of bird watching. The project encourages students to step outside the classroom and learn directly from the natural world, nurturing in them curiosity, patience, and environmental awareness. The project will be implemented across 20 schools in Kottayam District, engaging around 1,000 students and 60 teachers..

The welcome address was given by Teacher Bindumol S, Headmistress (in charge),who spoke about the beauty of birds, the need to stay connected to nature, and extended a warm greeting to the TIES team.Dr. Punnen Kurian, Director of TIES, then shared the introductory remarks. He outlined the vision and goals of Wings of Awareness, stressing that bird watching is not just a hobby but an opportunity for students to develop life skills, environmental sensitivity, and a sense of responsibility toward the living world.

The inaugural speech was delivered by Ms. Achamma Thomas, Headmistress of the school. She shared a personal anecdote about recently discovering a fascinating fact about crows, noting her regret at learning it only much later in life. She used this story to encourage the students to value the opportunity they have at such a young age to learn about nature. She congratulated them for being chosen for the programme, which she described as a truly unique and enriching experience.

A short survey session was conducted next to understand the knowledge level and interest of the participants before beginning the practical activities.

The main highlight of the programme was an interactive class on birds and bird watching led by Mr. Sarath Babu, Nature Education Officer of TIES. He introduced students to the basics of bird identification, observation skills, and the ethics of bird watching. His lively teaching style captured the students’ attention and inspired them to look more closely at the bird life around their homes and school.

Dr. Punnen Kurian explained how to use bird watching kits effectively—encouraging participants to document their observations carefully and use the guide to identify species accurately.

Later, Ms. Suhaana, Project Officer of Wings of Awareness, introduced the participants to the CROW(Children's Resources for Ornithology and Wilderness)  app. She explained how the platform enables students to document bird sightings and contribute data to citizen science initiatives. The demonstration generated enthusiasm, giving students a modern tool to enrich their bird watching experiences.

The orientation class at Government U.P. School, Ericadu, proved to be a highly enriching experience. It combined structured learning, practical tools, and inspiring sessions that together opened new avenues for the students to explore their natural surroundings. The event laid a strong foundation for continued engagement with the Wings of Awareness project and motivated young learners to embark on their journey as observant bird watchers and responsible custodians of nature.

The programme was coordinated by Sajnimol K.S, Faculty from G U.P. School, Ericadu, and Aparna Raj, Intern from TIES.