Bangalore: Surveying bird populations in areas such as water bodies or forests can pose significant challenges, particularly in expansive and sparsely populated regions. The task becomes even more complex on vibrant campuses like BMSIT & M, which boast lush green canopies and dynamic atmospheres filled with student activity. The dense foliage, often concealing nests and various bird species, complicates the identification and observation process for birdwatchers. Recently, OIKOS, the ecology club at BMSIT & M, collaborated with the Green Circle Birding team to catalog the bird species on campus as part of a World Environment Day initiative. Led by Professor Rajesh Gopinath from the Civil Department, the project aims to update the bird species list, with aspirations of surpassing the previous record of over 70 species documented by the ecoclub in prior surveys.

Professor Gopinath noted, “Our Principal has permitted us to go ahead with the survey at our convenience, but we chose a Sunday for the survey to minimise disturbances from student activity. This will be a year-long activity, with listings planned every two months.” On June 7, 2026, a team of four members from Green Circle, including Karthik, Sreejit, Priyanka, and Selva, commenced the survey at 6:30 AM, dedicating three hours to their observations. Karthik shared, “After two hours, we had only recorded a few species, including the common Greater Coucal and some white-cheeked barbets.” One of the challenges they faced was the need to constantly look upwards, as the campus is characterized by tall trees. Adequate lighting is crucial for bird photography, but poor light conditions on the survey day limited their observations to just 21 bird species. The birders speculated that the reduced number of sightings could be attributed to seasonal factors, with hopes that the onset of the monsoon would bring a greater variety of birds to the area. The presence of the early-arriving Asian Koel provided a brief moment of excitement during the survey. Given the bi-monthly survey schedule, the birding team anticipates documenting more species in upcoming observations and is also considering conducting birdwatching activities from the terrace in future surveys.

Bangalore: How can we spark interest in biodiversity among schoolchildren? One effective method is through a scrap-sheet activity using leaves and flowers. Children don’t need to venture far to collect specimens, as their surroundings are rich in biodiversity. The Green Circle team organized an event for approximately 80 students in classes 6 to 8 on World Environment Day to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity.

The task involved collecting fallen leaves and flowers from the garden and creating a creative scrap sheet showcasing the various types. The children were excited about this hands-on activity, gathering a wide range of leaves with different shapes and colourful flowers. Once the specimens were collected, they were arranged on sheets in various artistic forms, some portraying nature and related patterns. Impressed by the vibrant designs, the organizers decided to award prizes for the best creations, ultimately shortlisting about eight designs. Vindya from Green Circle, a jury member, commented, “The students’ creativity exceeded expectations, making it challenging for the jury to choose the best designs. Therefore, we decided to recognize all the children who excelled.” This activity was part of Green Circle’s World Environment Day celebrations, and the participants came from Sai Shankar Vidyashala in Sriramanahalli, managed by the People’s Trust. Meanwhile, Kumar Kalyandurg of Green Circle oversaw an essay competition for senior students in grades 9 and 10 at the same school. Various environment-related topics were provided, and prizes were awarded for the best essays. On the same day, around 100 students participated in a plogging drive at Dharmadarshi Nanaiah Park, collecting approximately 100 kg of plastic waste. Vasanth Kumar of Green Circle led this initiative. Earlier in the school assembly, Anvi, a 9th-grade student from Kendriya Vidyalaya, demonstrated her project, which involved developing a zero-cost fertilizer from organic waste. Harish Udhaiah honoured her with a memento, and Ganga, the headmaster of the school, provided the vote of thanks.