There is a pertinent need to protect the birds of the Nilgiris by installing nest boxes, feeding and providing them with water, said P.J. Vasanthan, Deputy Director of Medical Services of The Nilgiris. He was speaking on the subject ‘Birds of Nilgiris' at the Enviro Meet organised by Osai.

Mr. Vasanthan said that the total species of the Nilgiris are 279 of 62 families. Of these 279 bird species, 52 are migrants, nine are local migrants, 18 are endemic to Western Ghats, eight are nearly threatened species, five are vulnerable species, three are endangered species and three critically endangered species.