Hyderabad Bird Race

In an increasingly urbanising world, birds are often the foremost attraction for anyone interested in exploring the natural world. Bringing this notion to life, the eighth edition of Hyderabad Bird Race, part of India Bird Races was held on Sunday.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) and The Yuhina Canopy, with UWM as Facilitating Partner, along with the Birdwatchers Society of Andhra Pradesh (BSAP) and the Great Hyderabad Adventure Club (GHAC) along with the city’s birding community organised this programme in and around the city.

Managing Director, Telangana Tourism Development Corporation Dr Christina Z Chongthu flagged off the race teams from Begumpet. About 90 enthusiastic bird watchers, divided into groups of five took off for a daylong race with the primary goal of identifying as many species as possible. The theme of the race was to create awareness about bird conservation and protection of its habitat.

Participants observed birds at multiple locations all over the city and the outskirts and came up with their own tally of species. An evening programme was held at Hotel Plaza in Begumpet where the top three teams were recognised based on the tallies checked by the judges.

Mahesh Iyer, Head Oncology Biometrics, Novartis, a long-time wildlife enthusiast and an avid bird watcher; Sam Alex, Vice President and Branch Head, HSBC; Ashish Pittie, President BSAP and Diyanat Ali, Founder Director, GHAC were present.

Despite its rules, there is a fun element to this exercise, as also the team spirit and participation that comes into focus here. A day well spent for the cause of birds and urban environment.