2025-10-18

Students of Muslim Girls Higher Secondary School, Erattupetta enjoyed a refreshing morning in the midst of nature through a bird watching session conducted as part of the Wings of Awareness programme — an initiative of the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES), conceived and supported by Buimerc India Foundation. The programme aims to nurture environmental awareness among young learners by introducing them to nature-based experiential learning and observation-driven activities. The project is implementing across 20 schools in Kottayam District, engaging around 1,000 students and 60 teachers

The session took place at Njandukallu, Theekoy, Erattupetta, a scenic location surrounded by rich greenery and birdlife, just a short distance from the school campus. The activity was led by Ms. Manju Mary Cherian, Ornithology Expert, and Ms. Suhaana, Project Officer of Wings of Awareness and coordinated by chief teacher coordinator at the school Mr. Ramees P S who along with the assisting teachers ensured the smooth functioning of the event.

The morning began with an engaging live demonstration of the CROW (Children's Resources for Ornithology and Wilderness)   app by Ms. Suhaana. She explained that the app was developed exclusively for the Wings of Awareness project — designed not only to gather bird data but also to track the learning journey and progress of students as budding bird watchers. Her demonstration helped students understand how each observation contributes meaningfully to science and conservation while also reflecting their individual growth in field skills.

Following the introduction, the participants set out on their bird watching walk led by Ms. Manju. She encouraged the students to tune in to the sounds around them, observe movement in the canopy, and note distinctive features that help identify species. The serene landscape came alive as the students spotted around 16 bird species, including  Purple rumped sunbird, Orange Minivet, Jungle Babbler and Black-hooded Oriole, etc.

What stood out most during the session was the students’ genuine enthusiasm and curiosity. They actively asked questions, eagerly compared notes, and quickly began identifying several birds on their own. The combination of youthful energy and careful guidance created a vibrant, hands-on learning atmosphere.

Through initiatives like Wings of Awareness, TIES and Buimerc India Foundation continue to bridge the gap between environmental education and experience. By equipping students with the skills and tools — such as the CROW (Children's Resources for Ornithology and Wilderness)   app — to engage with nature meaningfully, the programme is helping shape a generation of young naturalists who learn to see, record, and protect the world around them.