Waterbirds are one of the key indicators of wetlands health. Wetlands provide feeding, resting, roosting and foraging habitats for these charismatic species. Each year in January we conduct and coordinate the Asian Waterbird Census in Salem to assess the status of the population of waterbirds over time. The information generates is used to identify wetlands of high importance for waterbirds, and take conservation measures such as designation of Ramsar Sites, or inclusion as priority wetlands within regional and national programmes.