In a bid to promote scientific awareness about birds, avian ecology and conservation aspects among people, the ELA foundation and M E S Abasaheb Garware College will conduct the sixth certificate course in basic ornithology from December 7.

According to a press note, the course structure includes the history of ornithology, evolution of birds, avian archaeo-zoology, ethno-ornithology, general anatomy and morphology, physiology, classification, functional anatomy and adaptations for aerial life.

Food and feeding habits, bird behaviour, bird flight, breeding, migration, avian biogeography, ecology and habitats, birds as bio-indicators and pest controllers, conservation law, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, role of journalism in conservation, bird photography, recording bird calls, library facilities will also be covered.

Satish Pande, trustee, ELA foundation, said several doctors, engineers, software personnel, lawyers, journalists, personnel from the Armed Forces, junior and senior college students from arts and commerce faculty as well as from zoology, botany, biodiversity and environmental sciences and various other professionals have participated earlier. The course will be conducted from December 7 to February 15, 2010.

The course faculty includes Dr Anil Mahabal, Prof PS Ghaisas, Dr Hemant Ghate, Dr Satish Pande and Dr Milind Watve. Those interested can contact the course coordinator Dr S N Suryawanshi, head , Zoology department at MES Garware College for more details.