Bengaluru, 27 April

In Karnataka, innovative initiative has taken flight, aimed at nurturing a deeper connection between children and the natural world. Abhisheka Krishnagopal, Programme Manager of Early Bird said, this initiative seeks to harness the timeless allure of birds to instil environmental awareness and appreciation among young minds.

Krishnagopal, reflecting on the essence of the initiative, shares, "Birds are a vital part of our ecosystem. They are a huge part of our food chain. We, in collaboration with Nature Conservation Foundation have come up with this initiative to bring humans and nature as one. And what better way than to train with children when they are still at a learning stage."

Recognising the potential of birds as ambassadors of nature, Early Bird has curated "Prakrutiya Pettige," a nature education kit in Kannada, distributed to 500 Arivu Kendras and Gram Panchayat libraries across Karnataka. Abhisheka emphasises, "This project aims to encourage rural librarians to take on the role of bird educators to help children develop a deeper connection with nature through birds."

The initiative involves conducting workshops in all 31 districts of Karnataka, training 16-20 librarians in each district. Abhisheka highlights the collaborative effort, stating, "We collaborated with 11 external resource people who underwent training conducted by Early Bird on how to connect children to birds through art, games, and nature walks."

Deepak K, an ecologist who conducted training workshops in Ballari and Vijayanagara districts, said, “Many people assume that birding involves walking through jungles. But there are several ecosystems like grasslands where different types of birds thrive. Different birds thrive in different ecosystems and our aim is to connect them with the people."

With plans to expand their reach to every corner of Karnataka, Early Bird envisions a future where nature education transcends boundaries, enriching the lives of countless children and communities. Abhisheka concludes optimistically, "This looks like a promising start for more people and children to get closer to nature and birds."

As the sun sets on their pilot project, the Early Bird initiative stands as a beacon of hope, nurturing a generation of conservationists and stewards of nature, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for generations to come. Salar News