Fri Nov 14 10:19:15 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article adaptation:
Summary:
An environmental organization, Ongil Nature Trust, is urging the Nilgiris District Collector and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to mandate bird-safe windows in new high-rise buildings. A year-long study by the trust documented 35 bird collisions involving 22 species (including resident and migratory birds), many resulting in death or injury, due to reflective glass surfaces. They are recommending specific mitigation measures like circular decals, UV films, patterned glass, and removing vegetation near reflective surfaces, along with awareness programs and regulatory measures near forests and eco-sensitive zones.
News Article:
Bird Collisions Prompt Call for Bird-Safe Buildings in Nilgiris
Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu – An alarming number of bird collisions with glass-fronted buildings in the Nilgiris district has prompted Ongil Nature Trust to petition local authorities for mandatory bird-safe construction practices.
The environmental organization recently concluded a year-long study documenting the problem, revealing 35 collision incidents involving 22 different bird species. The collisions, often fatal, were attributed to the reflective nature of large glass surfaces in high-rise buildings, especially in areas encroaching on natural habitats.
“As human settlements and reflective glass-fronted buildings expand into sensitive regions, unintended consequences, such as birds colliding with windows and dying, have become common,” said Azad Kamil, founder of Ongil Nature Trust.
The study identified both resident and migratory bird species as victims, including the vulnerable Kashmir flycatcher. Sixteen birds died in the recorded collisions, and 18 sustained serious injuries.
Ongil Nature Trust is urging the Nilgiris District Collector and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to mandate bird-safe windows in new constructions. Specific recommendations include the use of circular decals, UV-reflective films, patterned glass, and the removal of vegetation near reflective surfaces.
The trust is also advocating for regulatory measures to ensure bird-friendly architecture in areas near forests and other ecologically sensitive zones. They are calling for public awareness campaigns targeting builders, community members, and educational institutions, as well as the formulation of district-level guidelines in collaboration with the Forest Department and other NGOs.
“The Nilgiris is globally recognised for its avian diversity,” the organization stated. “We have an opportunity and responsibility to protect this heritage from avoidable harm.”
First Piper 