A new book chronicling 180-plus years of bird diversity in Nilgiris launched Friday evening. Birds of the Nilgiris: A Historical Account (1839–2025) by P. J. Vasanthan is result of three decades of research,observations and photography on region's bird species.
Over 140 people attended the release,led by District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru. Conservationists,historians,educators,students — all there to celebrate the extensive documentation of area’s avifauna . A panel discussion followed,featuring environmentalist Bittu Sahgal and project backers Paul Abraham and Pavitra Rajaram.
The panel tackled pressing ecological issues facing Nilgiris. They talked climate change,endemic species,the Western Ghats' role in regional water security. Also covered: shifting migratory patterns,local extinctions,invasive species threats. A long-term restoration strategy highlighted,stretching next fifty years.
The book,spanning 530 pages with about 200,000 words,includes over 600 photos. It aims to document Nilgiris' birds and to reflect on changing landscapes,habitats,conservation challenges shaping area's avifauna through history.
