Forester trainees introduced on camera trap survey and bird survey

News | Posted on 2025-01-13

The center for conservation (CoC) at the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Forestry Research and Training (UWIFoRT) installed nine camera traps (RECONYX) along the altitudinal gradient following the Tharpaling to Lamai Goenpa for educational and research purpose a year ago that are monitored monthly. The 15th Batch Professional Forester trainees including 10 female and 5 male undergoing the one-year certificate course at UWIFoRT were introduced to mammal survey using the infrared camera traps. The learning activity was part of the teaching on conducting biodiversity survey under the Nature Conservation and Management (NCM-212) module during the second semester.

The daylong practical on camera trap monitoring and data archival was conducted while hiking the Tharpaling to Lamai Goenpa Eco-trail on 7th January 2025 aimed to develop their knowledge and skills in mammal data collection through camera trap survey. With a brief demonstration on camera trap installation and monitoring, trainees were able to practice camera trap installation and data collection in groups. Trainees were also introduced to identification of local birds, plants and mammals through the indirect signs to develop their knowledge and skills in species identification.

On 10th January trainees were taken on an aquatic bird survey along the Chamkhar river where some Eurasian migratory birds used to visit during the winter. The team identified and recorded 27 bird species including 11 aquatic birds during the survey from Garpang till Kurjey Dozam area that took around 4 hours 18 minutes within an altitude range of 2540 – 2620 masl. The aquatic bird survey is part of the usual Annual Water Bird Count event for 2025 from Bumthang submitted to the national annual water bird statistics maintained by Dr. Sherub Specialist III who is currently working with DGPC as the Biodiversity Specialist.

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