Vadodara: Knowing which species of the birds are visiting Wadhwana Lake every winters is now just a finger tap away. The forest department has launched a mobile application ‘Birds of Wadhwana’ that has names of the birds species that migrate to Wadhwana in winters before flying out. The app was launched on Sunday that was celebrated as World Wetland Day across the world.
“Bird lovers visiting Wadhwana will be able to upload information about different species of birds that they spot at the lake. Names of the species are already mentioned in the app. Users just have to tick on the name whenever they spot any bird in or around the lake,” said Dr Rahul Bhagwat, bird photographer who has designed the app.
Those using the app will be able to see names of birds that visit the wetland regularly. It already has names of 240 species.
Forest officials said that they are preparing proposal to make Wadhwana a Ramsar site and this app will help them in documenting birds in a better way. “We document the birds that visit Wadhwana. But sometimes we may miss out on some bird species. This app will help us in identifying many more species,” said F A Khatri, range forest officer, Vadodara.
If any bird watcher sees any new species, he or she can add it in the app that will available for people on online store from February 20.
Bhavik Patel, a marine conservationist working with Bombay Natural History Society, who is working with the forest department to convert Wadhwana into Ramsar site said, “The more information we have about birds visiting Wadhwana, the better are our chances of getting Ramsar site nod. We are trying to gather as much information about the lake, migratory birds, fishes and plantations in and around the lake.” BNHS is now conducting a first professional census of birds at the lake site.
Located at about 50km from the city, Wadhwana sees an influx of thousands of local as well as migratory birds between December and February.
“Bird lovers visiting Wadhwana will be able to upload information about different species of birds that they spot at the lake. Names of the species are already mentioned in the app. Users just have to tick on the name whenever they spot any bird in or around the lake,” said Dr Rahul Bhagwat, bird photographer who has designed the app.
Those using the app will be able to see names of birds that visit the wetland regularly. It already has names of 240 species.
Forest officials said that they are preparing proposal to make Wadhwana a Ramsar site and this app will help them in documenting birds in a better way. “We document the birds that visit Wadhwana. But sometimes we may miss out on some bird species. This app will help us in identifying many more species,” said F A Khatri, range forest officer, Vadodara.
If any bird watcher sees any new species, he or she can add it in the app that will available for people on online store from February 20.
Bhavik Patel, a marine conservationist working with Bombay Natural History Society, who is working with the forest department to convert Wadhwana into Ramsar site said, “The more information we have about birds visiting Wadhwana, the better are our chances of getting Ramsar site nod. We are trying to gather as much information about the lake, migratory birds, fishes and plantations in and around the lake.” BNHS is now conducting a first professional census of birds at the lake site.
Located at about 50km from the city, Wadhwana sees an influx of thousands of local as well as migratory birds between December and February.
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