Collisions between birds and buildings represent one of the most significant yet under-recognised human-induced causes of avian mortality worldwide. In the United States alone, it is estimated that over one billion birds die annually from such collisions. This concern takes on particular significance in India, which supports extraordinary avian diversity, with over 1,380 recorded species, including numerous endemics and globally threatened taxa and lies at the crossroads of major global migratory flyways, most notably the Central Asian Flyway, used annually by millions of birds moving between Arctic breeding grounds and the wetlands, forests, and grasslands of the Indian subcontinent.

India’s rapid urbanisation has transformed the built landscape, making the issue of bird–window collisions more pressing than ever. Despite this, bird–window collisions in India remain largely under-researched. Emerging evidence suggests that this may represent a significant threat to India’s already declining bird populations, with studies indicating that over 75 affected species are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and are also listed on the IUCN Red List. Addressing this issue requires a transdisciplinary approach, combining design innovation, conservation practice, and supportive policy interventions. As a signatory to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, India is committed to conserving migratory species and maintaining the ecological integrity of the habitats they depend on. Reducing anthropogenic threats such as bird–window collisions is therefore integral to fulfilling these commitments.

Coinciding with World Migratory Bird Day 2026 and the 60th anniversary of the International Waterbird Census, this first-of-its-kind symposium is convened by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, IISER Tirupati, the Nature Conservation Foundation, Feather Library, and the Rainmatter Foundation; in association with Nature Future as Ecosystem Partner, and Roundglass Sustain and Architecture Live as Media Partners. It aims to bring together diverse stakeholders to discuss strategies for mitigating bird–window collisions across India’s urban, peri-urban, and rural landscapes. It is envisioned as a platform for dialogue among representatives from government institutions, building material industries, real estate developers, architects, non-governmental organisations, researchers, academics, and conservation professionals.

The event is scheduled on 12th May 2026 (Tuesday) at Lecture Room-2, Annexe, India International Centre, New Delhi. 

The keynote address will be delivered by Architect Mr Ashok B Lall (Principal of Ashok B Lall Architects. 

The symposium is expected to bring together leading experts from conservation, architecture, industry, policy, and media, including the following speakers (in alphabetical order):

Akshatha Narayan (Strategy Lead – Built Environment, Rainmatter Foundation), Ananda Banerjee (Senior Journalist & Author), Dr Asad Rahmani (Veteran Ornithologist and Former Director, Bombay Natural History Society), Ashwin Viswanathan (Scientist and Senior Project Manager, Nature Conservation Foundation), Bharati Ramachandran (CEO, Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations), Debadityo Sinha (Lead – Climate & Ecosystems, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy), Dipal Damania (Co-Founder, Nature Future), Esha Munshi (Founder, Feather Library), Dr Faiyaz A Khudsar (In-Charge- Biodiversity Parks Programme, University of Delhi), Gurneet Singh (Director, Environmental Design Solutions), Jayanthi Kallam (Executive Director, Avian & Reptile Rehabilitation Centre), Jose Louies (CEO, Wildlife Trust of India), Kartik Chandramouli (Senior Digital Editor, Mongabay India), Megha Moorthy (Editor-in-Chief, Roundglass Sustain), Dr Monalisa Sen (Associate Director, ICLEI), Col. Dr Navaz Shariff (Chief Wildlife Veterinarian, People for Animals Wildlife Hospital, Bengaluru), Nidhi Batra (Institute of Urban Designers India), Peeyush Sekhsaria (Architect and Conservation Professional, Senior Associate, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy), Rajesh Advani (Founder Director, Architecture Live), Suprita Biswas (Associate Director- Technical Development, Green Business Certification Inc. India), U. Gopinath (Manager – Design & Sustainability, Saint-Gobain India), Dr V.V. Robin (Associate Professor, Biology, IISER Tirupati) and others.

Please note that participation in the symposium is invite-only. If your work aligns with the symposium’s agenda, you may register your interest for participation by completing this form. 

For any other enquiries, please write to environment@vidhilegalpolicy.in