Day/Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2019
Time: 7.30pm - 8.30pm
Location: NSS Office
Address: 510 Geylang Road, #02-05, The Sunflower, Singapore 389466
Open to the Public - Registration Needed
The talk will present an overview on the birds of Bangladesh and how work to conserve the country’s bird and biodiversity has gained momentum in recent years. Focusing on the conservation of globally threatened species and ongoing research in the Bangladesh, Sayam U. Chowdhury will talk about the work to save the Endangered Masked Finfoot and Pallas’s Fish Eagle, the Vulnerable Bristled Grassbird and the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Drawing from insights and experiences from over a decade, Sayam will explore how young conservationists in Bangladesh started work on the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, clarified its conservation status, and then worked steadily towards its long-term protection. The talk will also briefly discuss about Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force's work in other countries.
This talk is hosted by Yong Ding Li on behalf of the Nature Society (Singapore) Bird Group.
About the Speaker
Responding to the growing need for conservation and passion for wildlife, Sayam U. Chowdhury has been working in behavioral ecology, research and conservation of globally threatened species in Bangladesh and abroad for the last 12 years, especially on Critically Endangered birds including Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Baer’s Pochard, Endangered Masked Finfoot and vanishing riverine birds. His undergraduate degree in Environmental science coupled with international trainings and then MPhil in Biodiversity Conservation from the Department of Geography, University of Cambridge has further cemented his footing in Conservation Science. Working in close quarters with local community has helped him gather unique experiences as an advocate of nature, inspiring people and being inspired at the same time. Most rewarding however has been his work with the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper (helping conservation breeding in the breeding grounds in Russia, identifying key sites and hunting mitigation in the wintering grounds in Bangladesh), which has now blossomed into a full-blown project and has been declared as Birdlife Species Guardian by Birdlife International. He is now appointed as Assistant Coordinator of the International Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force. His other notable works include gathering scientific knowledge on the secretive Masked Finfoot, identifying conservation problems and actions to address those, leading forest bird monitoring programme at 15 PAs in Bangladesh and proposing two new protected areas in Bangladesh based on his work on riverine birds. In addition, Sayam has published conservation science related papers in recognized international peer-reviewed journals, numerous popular articles in national newspapers and one book on shorebirds of Bangladesh. He serves as a member to the IUCN Species Survival Commission and reviewer of several international journals. More about the speaker can be found at:
https://www.saving-spoon-billed-sandpiper.com/portfolio/sayam-u-chowdhury/Registration Link:
