National Zoological Park organises 21st Sunday Bird Walk to Promote Citizen Science and Biodiversity Documentation

The National Zoological Park (NZP), New Delhi, organised the 21^st edition of ‘Sunday Bird Walk @ NZP’ on 15 November 2026, from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM promoting public participation in biodiversity monitoring and wildlife conservation. The walk was conducted under the expert guidance of Shri Vineet Kumar, Bird Expert, with the support of dedicated volunteers.

A total of eight participants, comprising bird enthusiasts, nature lovers, students, wildlife photographers and citizens with an interest in biodiversity, took part in the programme. The walk was also attended by the zoo officials and the resource expert, who interacted with participants and shared their knowledge and insights throughout the activity.

During the walk, participants recorded 42 bird species, with more than 600 individual birds observed in the designated area. A significant highlight of this edition of Sunday Bird Walk was the addition of a new species to the bird checklist of the National Zoological Park —Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata). This addition represents a valuable contribution to the ongoing documentation of the Zoo's avian diversity and underscores the importance of systematic bird monitoring and citizen science in understanding and conserving biodiversity.

The walk also provided participants with a hands-on learning experience in bird identification and field-based biodiversity documentation. Shri Vineet Kumar shared valuable insights into bird ecology, behaviour and conservation, highlighting the ecological significance of birds, particularly their role in natural pest control and their importance as indicators of ecosystem health.

Through initiatives such as Sunday Bird Walk @ NZP, the National Zoological Park continues to foster environmental awareness, encourage citizen participation in biodiversity conservation and strengthen public engagement in documenting the rich avian diversity of the Zoo.

To ensure meaningful learning and effective participation, each Sunday Bird Walk is limited to 20–25 participants. Prior registration is mandatory, and places are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration form remains open from Monday to Friday each week. The link is available on the official website of the National Zoological Park and through the NZP Saathi mobile application.

*****

VM/SK