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Madhya Pradesh leads national flock in avian participation

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Top flight: Madhya Pradesh secures national lead in birding records

Madhya Pradesh claimed the first position in India for the highest number of bird checklists submitted, according to the latest figures from the eBird platform.

The state recorded 2,257 submissions, establishing a wide lead over Karnataka, which recorded 1,300. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra followed with 1,266, 1,229, and 1,193 logs respectively. While the state dominated the participation volume, it secured the tenth position for species diversity with a total of 302 varieties.

National Leaderboard

State Checklists Species
Madhya Pradesh 2,257 302
Karnataka 1,300 369
Kerala 1,266 336

The coastal edge: Analysis of species variety

Analysis of the national data suggested that geographical factors heavily influenced species variety. Southern and coastal states like Karnataka and West Bengal benefited from unique ecological zones that landlocked Madhya Pradesh lacked.

Flyway Corridors Coastal regions served as primary entry points for trans-continental migrants traveling along the Central Asian Flyway.
Marine Ecosystems The presence of mangroves and salt pans in the south attracted specialized waders and shorebirds.
Topographic Gradients The Western Ghats provided altitudinal variations that supported high endemism, contributing to Karnataka's high count.

"The high checklist count showed a strong culture of citizen science within the region. The community documented sightings consistently, which provided a reliable baseline for population studies. Monitoring led to on-ground conservation action rather than remaining limited to data collection."

— Pradeep Mishra, divisional forest officer, Indore

Wetland audit: Urban-rural divide

The Asian Waterbird Census 2026, conducted across 19 water bodies in Indore, highlighted the state of local habitats. The findings revealed a stark difference between protected forest edges and urban centers.

  • Resilient Rural Sites: Rural wetlands showed stable bird populations, with species like the Asian Openbill and Woolly-necked Stork recorded in healthy numbers.
  • Stressed Urban Hubs: Sites like Sirpur Lake showed signs of ecological stress, including reduced open water and heavy growth of invasive aquatic plants.
  • Scientific Check: The census combined bird observations with habitat assessments of water levels and human disturbance.

A comprehensive report on the Indore wetlands is currently in preparation for use by conservationists and planners. Data sourced from eBird India and the Forest Department.

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