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Haryana Listens: Nature's Soundscape Goes Digital
3 Feb
Summary
- Haryana begins recording natural sounds in wetlands for ecosystem monitoring.
- The state is the first in India to join the global ecoacoustics platform.
- Ecoacoustics uses sound to track biodiversity and ecological stress non-invasively.
Haryana has launched an innovative ecoacoustics initiative, starting to record the natural sounds of insects, wind, water, and birds in select wetlands and parks. This significant step marks India's entry into ecoacoustics for ecosystem monitoring.
The project commenced on World Wetlands Day, coinciding with Haryana's first bird festival at Sultanpur National Park, which runs until February 21st. Officials stated that creating acoustic baselines for protected areas will enable scientists to monitor biodiversity changes and identify early signs of ecological strain.
This non-invasive approach is utilized globally to gauge habitat health and species distribution. The collected audio data will be shared on the 'sounds of parks' platform, fostering both nature-based monitoring and public engagement. Haryana is now the inaugural Indian state to integrate with this ecoacoustics platform.
The state's environment minister highlighted the value of wetlands for biodiversity, water security, and livelihoods. He emphasized the festival's role in raising conservation awareness, particularly among students and the youth, through field-based learning and community outreach.
The statewide bird festival, organized by the forest, wildlife, and environment department in partnership with CMS Vatavaran and endorsed by the IUCN, aligns with the World Wetlands Day theme. It features activities like guided bird walks, biodiversity exhibitions, and eco-education sessions, alongside online competitions for citizen participation.
