Citizen-science studies could help reduce man-animal conflict
(World News Science)

Sir - The 21st edition of the Great Backyard Bird Count commenced on February 15. The programme, which started in 1998, requires ornithologists, birdwatchers and common people to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the event and update their findings on a website. This data is crucial. It can help scientists understand the characteristics of a vast species of avians and also how these are changing in altered climatic conditions. This can help identify species in urgent need of help. It is something ordinary people - those who are often powerless to do anything else - can do. Citizen-science studies can be the...