Indore (Madhya Pradesh): In an exciting discovery for bird enthusiasts in the region, the third bird survey by Government Holkar Science College, on the occasion of World Wildlife Day, revealed the presence of 37 different bird species, including a rare sighting of the Ultramarine Flycatcher.

Ultramarine Flycatcher, typically found in dense forests, is believed to have been spotted for the first time or very rarely in Indore. The survey, which was organised by the college’s Seed Technology Department in collaboration with Wild Warriors and started at 6:30 am on Sunday, saw the active participation of 20 students and faculty members.

They formed four teams to survey 34-acre college campus. The survey team, which was guided by Sachin Matkar, Ritesh Khabiya, Swapnil Fanse and Anshuman Sharma of Wild Warriors, identified several bird species, including Shikra, Desi Maina, Gray Hornbill, Thathera Basanta, Red Turupik, Guldam Bulbul, Bhardwaj, Eagle and Cuckoo.

However, the highlight of the survey was the sighting of Ultramarine Flycatcher. To enhance their learning experience, students were introduced to the English names of the birds along with their Hindi names and the meanings of their names during the survey.

Commenting on the discovery, Holkar College principal Dr Anamika Jain said, "It is a positive sign that such a diverse variety of birds have been recorded on our campus. Moving forward, we plan to plant native trees such as Peepal, Neem, Jamun, Sheesham and Guler. Besides, we will be creating water bodies in various areas of the campus to encourage more bird activity and create a welcoming environment for these species."

Anshuman Sharma of Wild Warriors said, "The enthusiasm shown by the students is truly inspiring. Their involvement will help us achieve significant strides in protecting the environment, and such events are crucial for spreading awareness."

For students, the survey was both educational and inspiring. Gaurav Daharwal, one of the participants, said, "It was an amazing experience to identify so many different species of birds right on the college campus."

Highlighting the importance of trees, another student Palak Kumawat said, "We saw nearly 10 different species of birds on a single Peepal tree, which shows how vital trees are for sustaining birdlife. We are now more committed to planting and protecting trees responsibly."

The survey was coordinated by Prof Dharmendra Jat, who provided an overview of the survey’s objectives at the start. Professors Sarika Tundle, Ashok Jat and Pooja Kshirsagar also actively participated in the survey.