What is the Ongil Nature Trust doing to protect birds in the Nilgiris?

The Ongil Nature Trust has written to the Nilgiris District Collector and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, urging them to enforce the installation of bird-safe windows in high-rise buildings to protect the region's avian diversity.

How many bird species were affected by collisions with glass buildings in the Nilgiris?

According to the Ongil Nature Trust's study, 35 collision incidents involving 22 bird species across 15 families were documented in the Nilgiris.

What is the status of the Kashmir flycatcher, one of the affected bird species?

The Kashmir flycatcher (Ficedula subrubra) is listed as "vulnerable" by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Home / Environment / Ongil Nature Trust Calls for Bird-Safe Windows to Protect Nilgiris' Avian Diversity

Ongil Nature Trust Calls for Bird-Safe Windows to Protect Nilgiris' Avian Diversity

14 Nov

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Summary

Recent study documented 35 bird collisions with glass buildings in Nilgiris
16 birds died, 18 sustained serious injuries from the collisions
Ongil Nature Trust urges district administration to mandate bird-safe windows

Ongil Nature Trust Calls for Bird-Safe Windows to Protect Nilgiris' Avian Diversity

As of November 14th, 2025, the Ongil Nature Trust, an environmental organization, has called on the Nilgiris District Collector and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to enforce the installation of bird-safe windows in high-rise buildings. This comes after a recent study conducted by the trust documented collisions involving 35 birds belonging to 22 different species in the district.

The founder of Ongil Nature Trust, Azad Kamil, explained that as human settlements and reflective glass-fronted buildings expand into sensitive regions, unintended consequences, such as birds colliding with windows and dying, have become increasingly common. The year-long scientific study carried out by the trust recorded 35 collision incidents, with 16 birds dying and 18 sustaining serious injuries.