Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

1. While conducting these bird counts volunteers are encouraged to be punctual and concentrate on the task at hand. Some counts like Anuvavi Bird Count require the bare minimum of conversation between observation points in order to better listen to the bird songs and calls. Therefore, confining verbal speech to matters that are germane to the bird survey is strongly encouraged.
2. During the actual counting process, the safety of every person is of paramount importance. Therefore, the volunteers are requested to conduct themselves in a manner that is not only personally responsible but also to not to imperil the safety of others.
3. Engagement with the general public will be at a level where civility and cordiality are maintained and unwanted heated discussions are strictly avoided. This will ensure the long-term viability of the mission.
4. The bird counts like Anuvavi Bird Count conducted in Anuvavi Subramaniarkovil have certain special rules, which are the following:
   (a) Since we are conducting surveys in an area surrounded by Tamilnadu Reserve Forest, we have to make sure that we will not stray into the forested area, without the presence of the forest personnel.
   (b) Since encountering wildlife like wild elephants is a possibility, caution should be the watchword and volunteers should strictly avoid any contact with these animals. Approaching the animal to take a closer photograph or taking “selfies” is not only risky but endanger the safety of others.
   (c) Since Anuvavi Bird Count is conducted in a Hindu temple, volunteers are requested to strictly follow the code of conduct and maintain a placid decorum that will not negatively impact the worship of others. In addition, volunteers are encouraged not to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, if they are not in a state of ritual purity.
   (d) Lastly, the compiled bird lists of both PerurLake Count and Anuvavi Bird Count are not to be shared with anybody outside the organization. We are in the mission of collecting avian data and publishing them in peer-reviewed scientific journals. This requires that we maintain its privacy until the data is analyzed and published in order to avoid plagiarism of our hard work. Moreover, the Tamilnadu Forest Department has strictly forbidden us to share or publish the Anuvavi Bird Count data that we collect in any media and in all social media websites.