A new digital platform, Pokkhi, dedicated to documenting and showcasing the rich avian diversity of Assam, was officially launched on June 28, 2026. Freely accessible to the public, the initiative aims to serve as a comprehensive repository of bird species found across the state while promoting awareness, research and conservation.
The platform currently features detailed information on 372 bird species, including carefully curated Assamese and English common names, high-quality field photographs, IUCN conservation status, species descriptions and identification guides. It has been designed to make reliable information on Assam's birdlife easily accessible to bird enthusiasts, students, educators, researchers and conservationists.
One of Pokkhi's primary objectives is to preserve and standardise Assamese bird nomenclature. The developers noted that local names for several bird species often vary across different regions of Assam, making it difficult for birdwatchers and researchers to find accurate references. The platform seeks to bridge this gap by compiling these variations and presenting them through a single trusted source.
Pokkhi has been developed by Chirantanu Saikia of Jamugurihat in Sonitpur district and Abhilash Gayan of Gayan Gaon in Sivasagar district. Saikia is a well-known wildlife photographer and avid birder with extensive experience documenting Assam's birdlife, while Gayan is a Ph.D. scholar in the Department of Physics at Tezpur University and an experienced birder and wildlife photographer.
According to the developers, the idea for the platform emerged from their own field experiences, where they frequently encountered difficulties in identifying reliable Assamese names for many bird species. Recognising the need for a dedicated digital resource, they developed Pokkhi to make bird-related information more accessible while encouraging wider public participation.
The platform also invites contributions from birdwatchers, researchers and members of the public to help document regional variations in Assamese bird names, making it a collaborative initiative that can continue to grow over time.
