Minister CL John and others during the launching of fourth edition of Tokhü Emong Bird Count held on October 30.
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 30 (MExN): The Nagaland state has launched the fourth edition of the Tokhü Emong Bird Count (TEBC), an annual statewide bird survey that relies on public participation, emphasising the state’s model of community-involved conservation.
The event was inaugurated by CL John, Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Village Guards on October 30.
Scheduled to be held from November 4 to 7, the bird count coincides with the Tokhü Emong post-harvest festival and the peak migration period of the Amur Falcons, a species whose conservation in the state is considered a global success story.
Speaking at the launch, Minister John stated, “The TEBC is a proof of Nagaland’s vision of development where environmental responsibility and community participation go hand in hand.” He highlighted the vital role of local communities and village institutions in safeguarding Nagaland’s rich biodiversity through shared stewardship and vigilance.
Vedpal Singh, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, said the TEBC shows “how people and nature can thrive together through community-led conservation.” He commended the enthusiasm of participants and the growing recognition of Nagaland as a model for citizen-driven biodiversity monitoring.
Suman WM Sivachar, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Wokha and Doyang Plantation Division, noted that it “not only helps monitor bird diversity but also nurtures a new generation of nature enthusiasts across Nagaland.”
From 178 to 219 species
Initiated by the Wokha Forest Division in 2022, TEBC organised annually during the Tokhü Emong festival, which coincides with the peak migration period of the Amur Falcons, one of the most remarkable conservation success stories in the world.
This timing is crucial, as it also marks the arrival of numerous winter visitors alongside resident species, providing birders a unique opportunity to record the maximum diversity of birds across Nagaland within four days.
Participants have been encouraged to observe and record birds using the eBird mobile app, generating valuable data on bird diversity, migration patterns, and the effects of climate change. Since its inception, the TEBC has shown steady growth, documenting 178 species in 2022, 219 species in 2023, and 181 species in 2024, with over 400 checklists and participation from 73 eBirders statewide last year.
Notably, in the 2023 edition, checklists of birds from the district of Tuensang were recorded for the first time on eBird, thereby adding it to the global database. Prior to this, Tuensang was one of the only two districts in the country that were not mapped on eBird.
Beyond data collection, the TEBC aims to promote birdwatching as a hobby and inspire citizens, particularly students and youth, to connect with nature and contribute to conservation. Supported by the Nagaland Forest Department in collaboration with Bird Count India and other conservation partners, the TEBC continues to embody Nagaland’s leadership in community-based biodiversity monitoring, celebrating both the spirit of post-harvest festivals across the state, and the state’s enduring harmony between people, wildlife, and forests.
The TEBC 2025 is organised in association with the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP), and Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalayas, Nagaland (FBMH-Nagaland), and powered by eBird.
