Department of Zoology, Central University of Jammu (CUJ) observed ‘Great Backyard Bird Count’(GBBC) event between 16-19 February, 2018 at Bagla campus, Temporary Academic Block and its hostels. The global annual event started by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society is an online citizen-science effort to collect data on birds and to display results in near real-time. GBBC provides opportunity to scientists and bird enthusiasts to know how climate and weather changes are influencing bird populations,  if there are changes in migration of birds,  whether bird diseases are affecting bird in different regions and if there are differences in bird diversity in cities versus suburban, rural, and natural areas. Out of 230 campuses across India which took part in the ‘Campus Bird Count’, which is a sub event of the larger GBBC, the Central University of Jammu also participated in it from 16-19 of February, 2018.

The Faculty members and students of the department of Zoology, Botany and Environmental Sciences actively participated in the event. During the whole event of four days a total of 59 species of birds were observed by the participants at different places of CUJ. Mr Parvez Shagoo, the renowned bird watcher of the state, was also present at Bagla campus of the university to help identify different bird species on 17 February, 2018. Under the supreme guidance of Professor N. K. Tripathi, Dean, School of Life Sciences and Head, Department of Zoology the event was ably executed by the team comprised of Dr. Shvetambri Jasrotia, Dr. Anjali Dhar, Dr. Vinita Sharma, Dr. Stanzin Ladol and Dr. Vipin.