Wadhwan Launches Gujarat’s First Saurashtra Bird Atlas in June
Wadhwan city in Gujarat is set to make conservation history as it hosts the launch of the Wadhwan City Bird Atlas 2026 (WCBA) on June 11, 2026. Organised under the theme “Citizen Science for Nature, Knowledge for Conservation” and led by Ahmedabad University, the initiative marks the first bird atlas for the Saurashtra region and only the second for the entire state of Gujarat.
The project aims to build a comprehensive database of bird species across Wadhwan while encouraging citizens to actively participate in scientific data collection. Gujarat’s Cabinet Minister for Forest and Environment, Shri Arjunbhai Modhwala, will serve as Chief Guest at the inauguration, joined by MLA Shri Jagdishbhai Makwana and former Wildlife Warden Shri Bhavanisinhji Mori.
Expert Sessions to Arm Citizen Scientists
The inaugural day’s technical sessions, running from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, are designed to equip participants with field-ready skills. Renowned birding expert Prasad Ganpule will lead a session on bird identification specific to the Saurashtra landscape, while Divin Venu will train attendees on using eBird, the globally recognised bird-monitoring platform, for systematic data entry that strengthens scientific accuracy.
A Framework Built for Long-Term Impact
Dr. Jitesh Jhawar will present the WCBA’s operational blueprint, covering survey methodologies, grid assignments, and field protocols in a session titled “Defining the Skeleton.” Registration opens at 4:30 pm, followed by the formal inauguration at 5:00 pm. The evening will close with a networking dinner, bringing together policymakers, researchers, and citizens to collectively advance biodiversity conservation in Gujarat.