India is home to 1340 species of birds (nearly 13% of the world’s avifauna) which includes 78 species endemic to the country. Although India is traditionally protective of its wildlife and its habitats, and proud of having an impressive network of Protected Areas (870) and Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (554), a significant number of species of birds (103) are threatened with extinction, and their habitats, particularly outside PAs, are under severe pressure from anthropogenic activities. Considering the ecological services that birds extend and their role in the stability of ecosystem functioning, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) and SACON developed a ‘Visionary Perspective Plan for Conservation of Avian Diversity, their Ecosystems, Habitats & Landscapes in the Country’ (VPP) for a period of ten years (2020-30). The VPP has identified priority issues and actions required for the conservation of birds under 15 programmes which are to be implemented by various stakeholders including various Ministries and Departments at the Central and State levels in collaboration with various partner institutions and organisations. While the MoEFCC will be the focal Ministry in the GoI, SACON will be the focal Institution thereunder.
