Overview The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF‑India) is spearheading a Campus Bird Count (CBC) across 10 campuses in Thiruvananthapuram district as a sub‑event of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) . The activity runs from 13 February to 16 February 2026 , with participants recording avian sightings every 15 minutes on the eBird App . This citizen‑science initiative aims to create a comprehensive bird register for the district while fostering ecological awareness among students. Key Developments Development 1: Coordination of CBC by WWF‑India on ten higher‑education institutions, integrating expert birders and faculty mentors for technical support. Development 2: Two virtual orientation sessions held on 10 February and 11 February 2026 to train participants on systematic documentation and data upload. Development 3: Expected deliverables include a district‑wide bird register, a photo‑story, a poster showcasing campus bird diversity, and a compiled analytical document for policy use. Important Facts Fact 1: The GBBC 2025 recorded participation of over 10,000 individuals from more than 24,000 locations , documenting 1,086 bird species —approximately 78 % of India’s avifauna . Fact 2: Data from GBBC help researchers assess species distribution, response to habitat change, and population trends, informing site‑specific conservation strategies. UPSC Relevance This initiative intersects multiple strands of the UPSC syllabus. In GS Paper III (Environment & Ecology) , it illustrates citizen‑science as a tool for biodiversity monitoring, a topic under ‘Conservation of Biodiversity’ and ‘Community Participation in Environmental Governance’. Questions may probe the role of NGOs like WWF‑India, the utility of platforms such as eBird, or the impact of large‑scale participatory surveys on policy formulation. In the optional subject Geography , the data can be linked to spatial analysis of species distribution and climate‑induced range shifts. Way Forward Scaling the CBC model to other districts can create a granular, real‑time avian database, aiding early detection of ecological distress. Institutionalising such collaborations between academia, NGOs, and government bodies will strengthen India’s commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the National Biodiversity Action Plan . Continuous funding, capacity building, and integration with state forest departments are essential for sustained impact.