Ghanaian environmentalists will soon begin an exercise, under a project called Urban Bird Survey One, to count birds in the Accra metropolis.

The Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS), an environmental group, will carry out the survey and documentation of birds within Accra and its immediate suburbs in view of the rapid decline in their natural habitat and the continuous alteration in landscape due to human activities.

Mr Gerard Hillary Osei Boakye, Marketing Officer of GWS, in an interview with GNA, said the project is estimated at about 39 million cedis. Standard Chartered Bank will bear 76 per cent of the cost whilst the GWS will bear the rest.

Birds, though good indicators of the quality of the environment, may not provide an early warning signal of environmental deterioration. However, a continuous monitoring of their population over a period can provide vital data and information to quantify the changes taking place or that have taken place in the environment.

Mr Osei-Boakye said the survey would provide the baseline information on birds and other components of the environment against which any future comparison can be made.

He said GWS can boast of an unparalleled expertise in the field of Ornithology and other wildlife related issues.

Birds, throughout the world are the most well studied groups of organism, he said. "This, to a large extent, is due to the fact that birds are easily seen or heard, an attribute that enhances effective observation and studies."

Mr Osei-Boakye said the project would also look at the potential of birds colliding with aircraft at the airport, incidents, which has caused heavy financial and human losses to several airlines and countries.

The result of this survey, he said, would provide essential data and information that can be used by the relevant agencies for effective landscape planning and development of the Accra metropolis and its suburbs.

If the Accra project proves successful, it would be extended to other regional capitals, until the whole country is studied.