TEBC 2025 kicks off across Nagaland

The Tokhü Emong Bird Count (TEBC) 2025 was officially launched on Tuesday at the Nature Learning Centre, Forest Office Complex, Dimapur. The opening ceremony marked the beginning of the four-day statewide bird monitoring event, celebrating Nagaland’s vibrant birdlife and fostering community-based conservation.
Established in 2022 as Nagaland’s first-ever statewide bird documentation event, the Tokhü Emong Bird Count (TEBC) invites citizens to record birds on eBird during the Tokhü Emong festival period.
The inaugural edition from November 4 to 7, 2022, logged 178 species from 84 checklists submitted by 18 eBirders across Dimapur, Kohima, Peren and Wokha, and was hailed as the state’s first bird documentation event by Mongabay.
Since then, the participation has grown steadily. In 2023, observers documented 219 species across 327 checklists from 11 districts, reflecting increasing public interest in bird monitoring and conservation. In 2024, 181 species were recorded throughout the State during the 4-day event.
Tekameren I. Jamir of Eco Warriors Nagaland chaired the TEBC 2025 opening program in Dimapur. Proceedings included a welcome address by Jamir and an opening prayer by Temsumongla Jamir. Suman W. M. Sivachar, Divisional Forest Officer, Wokha Forest Division & Doyang Plantation Division, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of citizen science and the growing role of community participation in conservation efforts.
Chenibemo Odyuo, senior project manager at the Foundation for Ecological Security, highlighted the collaborative spirit of TEBC, while Eco Warriors Nagaland members, Rotoli and Kulangla Sangtam, pronounced the vote of thanks and benediction, respectively.
A video message from Mittal Gala, project coordinator at Bird Count India, encouraged participants to contribute their observations to the global eBird database. An eBird demo and birding session at the Forest Colony Complex added hands-on experience for participants.
Following the formal session, an eBird demonstration and interactive birding session were held at the Forest Colony Complex, Dimapur, providing participants with practical experience in bird identification and data entry. Games and group activities added a lively touch to the event.
The Tokhü Emong Bird Count (TEBC) 2025 is being observed simultaneously across all districts of Nagaland, with enthusiastic participation from community groups, birding enthusiasts, students, and the general public.
The initiative continues to promote birding as a hobby and strengthen the network of citizen scientists in the state. The 2025 edition of TEBC is supported by the Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalayas (FBMP), Nagaland.