Byjus 1

Byjus  2

| **Event/Highlight**                | **Details**                                                                                       |
|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Parveen Shaikh Wins Whitley Award** | **Parveen Shaikh** won the **Whitley Award 2026** for her work on **community-led conservation** of the **Indian Skimmer** along the **Ganga**. |
| **Indian Skimmer**                 | Endangered bird, **scientific name** *Rynchops albicollis*, globally fewer than **10,000 individuals**, majority nest in India. |
| **Habitat**                        | Found in **large rivers, sandbars**, and **wetlands**.                                             |
| **Distinct Feature**               | Unique **lower mandible longer than upper**, used to skim water for fish.                         |
| **Threats**                        | Nesting sandbars vulnerable to fluctuating water levels (**dam releases**), **sand mining**, stray dogs, and cattle. |
| **Whitley Award**                  | Known as the **"Green Oscars"**, awarded by the **Whitley Fund for Nature**.                      |

Event/Highlight	Details
Parveen Shaikh Wins Whitley Award	Parveen Shaikh won the Whitley Award 2026 for her work on community-led conservation of the Indian Skimmer along the Ganga.
Indian Skimmer	Endangered bird, scientific name Rynchops albicollis, globally fewer than 10,000 individuals, majority nest in India.
Habitat	Found in large rivers, sandbars, and wetlands.
Distinct Feature	Unique lower mandible longer than upper, used to skim water for fish.
Threats	Nesting sandbars vulnerable to fluctuating water levels (dam releases), sand mining, stray dogs, and cattle.
Whitley Award	Known as the "Green Oscars", awarded by the Whitley Fund for Nature.

Parveen Shaikh Wins 2026 Whitley Award for Indian Skimmer Conservation