The fifth edition of the Tokhü Emong Bird Count (TEBC) 2026 began with 72 bird species recorded from 26 checklists on the first day of the annual citizen-science initiative in Nagaland.
The event was formally inaugurated on Tuesday at the Nature Learning Centre, Forest Office Complex, Dimapur, bringing together forest officials, birdwatchers, students and nature enthusiasts to promote awareness of the state’s avian diversity and the importance of biodiversity conservation.
The inaugural programme was chaired by Eco Warriors Nagaland member Rotoli Sumi. It began with an invocation by Eco Warriors Nagaland member Lokhum L, followed by a welcome address from the organisation’s founder, Lesemew M.
In his address, Lesemew highlighted the growth of the Tokhü Emong Bird Count from a local initiative into a statewide movement aimed at encouraging greater public participation in birdwatching and conservation. He also stressed the importance of engaging younger generations and providing them opportunities to connect with nature through citizen-science activities.
Delivering the keynote address, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Phek, Tokaho Kinimi, IFS, underscored the important role of students in shaping the future of conservation in Naga society. He highlighted the significance of birds as indicators of environmental health and explained how bird observations can provide valuable information about the condition of ecosystems.
Drawing from his experience in wildlife tourism and conservation during his earlier posting as Wildlife Warden, Kinimi encouraged students to develop an interest in nature and actively participate in conservation initiatives. He observed that greater involvement of young people would help strengthen conservation efforts in the future.
A major highlight of the programme was the formal declaration of the Tokhü Emong Bird Count 2026 by Range Forest Officer (RFO), Wokha Forest Division, Lansothung Lotha, marking the commencement of the bird-count activities across Nagaland.
The inaugural programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Eco Warriors Nagaland member Meriyani Ezung, followed by a benediction by Meribeni C. Oddyuo Ngullie.
Following the inaugural ceremony, an interactive session was conducted by Eco Warriors Nagaland co-founder Tekameren I Jamir. The session included games and a birdwatching activity at Forest Colony Complex, Dimapur, providing participants with practical exposure to bird identification and observation.
Participants were also introduced to the use of the eBird platform and guided on how to record and upload bird sightings. The session highlighted the importance of maintaining systematic bird records and contributing observations to a global scientific database, which helps researchers and conservationists understand bird distribution and diversity.
The Tokhü Emong Bird Count is jointly organised by the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with Bird Count India, FES and Eco Warriors Nagaland, and powered by eBird India.
The annual initiative encourages people from different sections of society, including schoolchildren, students, youth, birdwatchers, community leaders and senior citizens, to participate in birdwatching and document the bird species found in their respective areas.
By encouraging citizens to step outdoors, observe birds and submit their sightings through the eBird platform, the initiative seeks to generate valuable information on Nagaland’s avian diversity while promoting public awareness and community participation in conservation.
Meanwhile, the Wokha team has also been conducting birdwatching activities with students as part of the ongoing count. The activities aim to encourage young birders and nature enthusiasts to take part in the initiative and record their bird observations on the eBird platform during the counting period.
The observations collected through the event are expected to contribute towards citizen-science-based biodiversity documentation and improve understanding of bird diversity across different parts of the state.
