India

Updated 30 July 2021

In October 2017, eBird had announced a significant development in the form of a sensitive species list (at a global- and country-level) to protect species which could be at risk of exploitation due to open-access data. This initial list was revised and expanded in mid 2018, with some species marked as sensitive at the State level and for particular months of the year. The current list of sensitive species for India is here.

We now call for additional proposals for sensitive species, which will be evaluated by a 5-member Sensitive Species Committee.

The procedure for the revision of the list is as follows:

a. Birdwatchers and conservationists, both on eBird and otherwise, can send in proposals (using the form linked below) for sensitive species. These proposals should be accompanied by detailed reasons as to why the species included in the proposals should be marked as sensitive. It is highly encouraged that proposers include as much supporting documentation as possible.

Click here for the proposal form

Deadline for proposals: 15 September 2021

b. These proposals will be collated and sent to the Sensitive Species Committee. The Committee is responsible for scrutinizing each proposal and its reasons in keeping with the guidelines for sensitive species listing. The Committee will then come up with a recommendation for implementation.

c. The Committee’s decision will be sent across to eBird central for implementation. The list of proposals and action taken will be put up on this website.

We welcome participation from all those interested in bird conservation so that we can strike the best balance the benefits of open information against possible problems this may cause for threatened species.