BISHNUPUR, January 13: The two-day long Loktak Waterbird Census Motivation Camp was opened today at the Toubul High School.
The camp is being jointly organised by the department of Forest Wild Life Wing, government of Manipur, Toubul Youth Development Association, TYDA, Toubul; Centre for Conservation of Naure and Cultivation Sciences, CCNCS.
The inaugural function was attended by Bishnupur DFO L Lukhoi as the chief guest, L Joykumar, dy conservator, Sanctuary and parks Keibul Lamjao and Dr Kh Shamungou, wild life activist and member, Special Deer Group and Indian Union for Conservation of Nation and K Jugeshwar Wild Life activist as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
Speaking at the function attended by wild life activists and representatives of voluntary organisations, Dr Shamungou said people are bewildered on hearing that a census of the migratory birds will be conducted and how the bird count could be exact.
He said the count could not be exact due to lack of technology, however, the varieties of migratory birds that have landed in the state could be ascertained.
The stopping over by large varieties of migratory birds is an indicator of a good wetland, and as such the water bird census to be conducted at Loktak Lake will also help in ascertaining the condition of the lake, he observed.
The opening day of the camp was also attended by wild life activists RK Birjit, Dr Kh Shamungou, Hitler amongst others as resource persons.
The opening day of the camp also had discussions on how to conduct the census and its advantages. Films on bio-diversity and birds were also shown during the first day.
It may be mentioned that the bird census will be conducted on January 18 at 50 counting points at Loktak. The census will be participated by around 120 volunteers and other officials.