PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Haldwani
Haldwani Forest Division has launched an innovative bird monitoring initiative using advanced Wildlife Acoustic Recorders and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based analysis for scientific assessment of avian biodiversity. This is one of the first such initiatives in the Uttarakhand Forest department where bioacoustics technology and AI are being integrated for wildlife conservation and biodiversity monitoring.
Haldwani Forest Division is recognised as one of the most important bird habitats in the State, owing to its unique location at the interface of the Himalayan foothills and the Terai ecosystem. The division harbours a rich diversity of resident and migratory bird species, including several rare and conservation-significant birds. Notably, the Red-headed Trogon, one of India’s most beautiful forest birds, has so far been recorded only from Haldwani Forest Division in Uttarakhand. Furthermore, during the bird census conducted by the division in December 2025, the presence of Black Baza was recorded for the first time in Uttarakhand, highlighting the importance of systematic bird monitoring and the potential for new avian discoveries.
Under this initiative, automated wildlife acoustic recorders are being deployed in forest areas to continuously capture natural sounds and bird calls from the environment. These devices are capable of recording sounds round-the-clock with minimal human disturbance. Since every bird species has unique vocal signatures and call patterns, the recorded audio data can be analysed using AI-based software to identify species and assess their occurrence and activity.
The collected audio recordings will be processed using Machine Learning and Deep Learning algorithms capable of analysing thousands of hours of acoustic data in a short time. The system can help identify bird species, estimate their presence and relative abundance, understand activity patterns and generate valuable scientific insights regarding habitat use and biodiversity status.
A significant advantage of this technology, the senior forest officers said, is its ability to effectively monitor nocturnal bird species. Traditional bird surveys often face challenges in detecting species such as owls and nightjars among other nocturnal birds because these species are active primarily during the night and are difficult to observe visually. Wildlife acoustic recorders can continuously capture their calls during night hours, enabling more accurate scientific assessment of their presence and distribution.
In addition to bird monitoring, the acoustic data generated through this initiative can contribute to broader ecological assessments by providing insights into ecosystem health, habitat quality, seasonal changes in biodiversity and responses of wildlife communities to environmental pressures.
