National Bird Watching Day is celebrated every year on 12thNovember to mark the birth anniversary of the famous ornithologist Salim Ali. As part of observing this day, Cochin Natural History Society and Social Forestry Division, Ernakulam, organized Salim Ali bird walk in the HMT forest area for nature lovers.

Three students from Nature Club, Al-Ameen College, Nathasha N L( II BT), Hayarunnissa N A (II BT) and Adil T Y( II BCA) participated in the bird walk. Students, photographers and nature lovers who had come for the event were briefed up about the bird counting process. They were introduced to the eBird app used for bird counting. The group ventured into the forest and spotted many birds including Golden fronted leaf bird, Crested hawk eagle, Pale billed flowerpecker, Indian paradise flycatcher etc. The students understood the importance of forests and its role in maintaining the biodiversity and ecological balance of the earth. Mr. Polly Kalamassery and Mr. Vishnupriyan Kartha, Social Forestry Division, coordinated the bird walk.