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.

Among the affected birds were 18 resident species and 4 migratory species, including the Kashmir flycatcher (Ficedula subrubra), which is listed as "vulnerable" by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Ongil Nature Trust has recommended that the district administration and the Forest Department mandate new constructions to install bird-safe windows with circular decals, UV-reflective films, patterned glass, and remove vegetation away from reflective surfaces to minimize the risk to bird species.

The trust has also called for regulatory measures to ensure bird-friendly architectural practices in constructions near forests and eco-sensitive zones, as well as awareness programs for people, builders, community members, and educational institutions. Ongil Nature Trust emphasized the importance of formulating district-level guidelines in coordination with the Forest Department and other NGOs to protect the Nilgiris' globally recognized avian diversity.