From 4 to 7 November 2024, birdwatchers will come together in Nagaland to celebrate the Tokhü Emong Bird Count (TEBC) by going out and watching birds with students, teachers, and community members. Launching the event in Kohima today, Nagaland Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, C. L. John said, “I’m delighted to launch the Tokhü Emong Bird Count 2024, a four-day celebration of Nagaland’s rich avifaunal diversity from November 4-7. This initiative encourages people to record and document the birds of Nagaland. Your participation supports conservation efforts, community engagement, and documents our State’s natural heritage.”
TEBC 2024 is being organised by the Wokha Forest Division, Doyang Plantation Division, and the Divisional Management Unit, Nagaland Forest Management Project, Wokha district. TEBC 2024 is in collaboration with the Wildlife Division, Dimapur, Wildlife Division, Kiphire, and Northeast Birding Tours. Partners joining the TEBC 2024 are Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), Eco Warriors Nagaland, Nagaland Community Conserved Areas Forum, Nagaland Tourism Association, Nagaland Association of Tour Operators, Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary, Photography Club Dimapur, and We The Nagas. The Department of School Education Nagaland and University of California Santa Cruz from the USA are Education Partners for TEBC 2024. Pentax Binoculars is the Equipment Partner. The event is powered by eBird India.
This collaboration which includes the Government of Nagaland, non-governmental conservation organisations, and educational institutions reiterates the significance of Naga community knowledge and their participation in caring for biodiversity. Recognising Naga people’s cultural practices like post-harvest festivals and their language is integral to envision, promote, and preserve a sustainable future.
“The Tokhü Emong Bird Count–the first bird documentation event for Nagaland, is a vital initiative for Nagaland’s community participation in conservation efforts. I encourage the citizens of the State to actively participate in the event and help document the birds you see. Your contributions through the eBird app will significantly enhance our understanding of bird populations, informing effective conservation strategies and promoting environmental stewardship.”
– Dharmendra Prakash, IFS
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force,
Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
Government of Nagaland.
Last year, birdwatchers documented 219 species in 327 checklists across the state. Through the Directorate of School Education, 14 government schools took part in their respective districts. In addition, students from six private schools also ventured into bird counting. People spotted the Naga Wren-Babbler, Olive-backed Pipit, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Blyth’s Tragopan, Blue Rock-Thrush, Eurasian Kestrel, Plumbeous Redstart, and Dark-rumped Swift, among many others. Like the previous year, TEBC aims to cover all districts of Nagaland in 2024 and increase the number of avian species during this harvest season.
“I wish the organisers and participants the very best. I encourage people to go out and observe the birds during the four-day event, while also helping in creating a database for birds across Nagaland.”
– Vedpal Singh, IFS
Chief Wildlife Warden,
Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
Government of Nagaland
TEBC takes its inspiration from Tokhü Emong, the harvest festival of the Lotha Naga community from Nagaland. In the Lotha language, Tokhü refers to feasting and Emong means rest/halt on an appointed period. Observed in the first week of November, this festival is about celebration, fellowship, and reconciliation. Sharing the abundance of harvest and hard work, Tokhü Emong is a time to practise gratitude, remember departed loved ones, and invite neighbours and families for food and drink. It is a period when friends and visitors are invited to celebrate the bountiful harvest and showered with hospitality and food. Embracing the spirit of sharing, oneness, and fellowship, the TEBC organisers invite everyone to join and celebrate Nagaland’s bird diversity.
“I am thrilled to continue my collaboration with TEBC 2024. The festival invites us to adopt birds to reflect on Indigenous culture, agriculture, and what it means to be in a relationship of care with other beings and the land. I believe TEBC allows us to connect and come up with bottom-up approaches that centre Indigenous community engagement and participation.”
– Prof. Dolly Kikon,
Director, Centre for South Asian Studies,
University of California, Santa Cruz.
“With each passing year, the Tokhu Emong Bird Count reveals more of Nagaland’s vibrant avian diversity and strengthens our commitment to conservation. The 2024 edition is not just a bird count; it is a celebration of our natural heritage and an opportunity to unite communities in protecting these incredible species for generations to come.”
– Suman W M Sivachar, IFS,
DFO Wokha Forest Division and Doyang Plantation Division,
Government of Nagaland.
Anyone present in Nagaland from 4-7 November can participate in TEBC 2024. The basic activity is to watch and count birds on any/all days from 4-7 November from anywhere in Nagaland, for at least 15 minutes, and upload bird lists to the bird recording platform eBird (www.ebird.org/india). Besides documenting birds, there will be birdwalks and online/in-person talks about birds for interested public, other birders, and school/college students. Celebrate the Naga community’s engagement and contribution to care and promote birdlife of Nagaland!
More Information: https://birdcount.in/event/tokhu-emong-bird-count/
Contacts
– Lesemew M (Eco Warriors Nagaland). Email: lesemewyim195@gmail.com; WhatsApp: +91-8415964715
– Chenibemo Odyuo (Foundation for Ecological Security) Email: cheodyuo@gmail.com; WhatsApp: +91-7983632179
– Joel Rodrigues (PhD student, Stockholm University). Email: joel.rodrigues@socant.su.se; WhatsApp: +91-9620675183
