RCE Chandigarh-2017

rce_proj_title_2013
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1. Project Title: 
Documentation of State Bird of Punjab, India: Northern goshawk
2. Thematic area/s addressed by the project
Select your options: 
Biodiversity
3. Project partner contact information : 
Organization: 
Punjab State Council for Science & Technology
Role: 
Lead Partner
Main Contact: 
Dr Jatinder Kaur Arora
Name: 
Dr Satnam Singh
Affiliation: 
Punjab State Council for Science & Technology
Email: 
ssladhar@yahoo.com
Alternative project contact: 
Name: 
Ravleen
Affiliation: 
Environment Information Sytem Centre, Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change
Email: 
ravleenmarwah@gmail.com
4. Project type
Select the relevant type for your project: 
Contributing to capacity development of stakeholders and partners
5. Project description
Provide a short description of the project including strategies, regional challenges, aims and specific project activities.: 

ENVIS Centre is a partner in Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Chandigarh on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) of United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies, Japan This article on the State Bird ‘Northern Goshawk’ is to promote the awareness and the need to conserve the important Birds of prey which are the vital indicators of ecosystem for sutainable living. The information was collected, collated, documented and further, disseminated to capacity build on the knowledge/information about Northern goshawk & motivate public to get involved in conservation, restoration and protection of  bird inheir natural habitats.

This document titled “The State Bird of Punjab: Northern goshawk”  was published by the ENVIS Centre. State Bird Northern goshawk of Punjab has been notified by Government of Punjab in the year 1983 however no systematic attempt has been made till date by anyone in the State to prepare a authentic document about the background/rational about declaring Northern goshawk as State Bird of Punjab. The present publication is the first ever document  prepared for highlighting all aspects of the State Bird of Punjab which include global and national status as well. All the attributes, present status & threats, IUCN Status etc has been covered comprehensively of the bird such as phenotypic features, habits, ecological and cultural significance for creating awareness about this magnificent bird Extensive consultations have been held by the ENVIS Team over the span of past 6 months to gather in-depth information to prepare this issue. The efforts of ENVIS Team in bringing out this publication are being widely applauded by all the Bird lovers of the State and Department of Forests & Wildlife Preservation.

7. Provide references and reference materials : 
PDF icon VOL 14, NO 3 state bird.pdf
6. Project status
Finalized
Description: 
ENVIS Centre, PSCST is a partner in Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Chandigarh on Education for Sustainable
Development (ESD) of United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies, Japan This article on the State
Bird ‘Northern Goshawk’ is to promote the awareness and the need to conserve the important Birds of prey which
are the vital indicators of ecosystem for sutainable living. Accipiter gentilis, the State Bird of Punjab has cultural association and significance in sikh religion. It is locally known as “Baaj” and has been traditionally revered as a symbol of strength. The tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, had many titles bestowed upon him, one of the well-known is ‘Chitae bajah wala”, the keeper of the white hawk. It also plays an important role in the forest food web as voracious predator to maintain the balance in forest ecosystem. This bird species suffered a significant historical decline due to persecution and deforestation claiming its habitat. Despite changing attitudes towards birds of prey, persecution still continues in some areas, as well as nest-robbing for falconry. Further, the pollution by pesticides and heavy metals has also contributed to its declining numbers over the years in its geographical range. Though it has been declared the state bird of Punjab, the goshawk is not known to migrate to Punjab from the higher Himalayas. The publication of this issue of Newsletter is an effort to give deserved importance to the State bird which represents the cultural heritage & treasure of Punjab and instil a sense of pride and honour in the citizens of Punjab State. It is hoped that the concerned departments and organisations would commence initiatives / actions for habitat development to maintain the reasonable population of the bird in the region.
8. Tagging
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Tags (choose up to 5): 
Community Education