Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) on Friday released its first-ever bird census. According to the data captured, areas on the periphery of the forest are seeing an increasing number of house crows, indian jungle crows and black kites due to improper waste disposal. Though waterbirds and birds of prey are commonly found, there is cause of concern as their numbers are declining.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) on Friday released its first-ever bird census. According to the data captured, areas on the periphery of the forest are seeing an increasing number of house crows, indian jungle crows and black kites due to improper waste disposal. Though waterbirds and birds of prey are commonly found, there is cause of concern as their numbers are declining.
Co-author of the report Dr Pravish Pandya said, "We conducted this survey for two purposes. First, we wanted to involve citizens in an initiative that can help make a difference and raise awareness among them about the staggering variety of flora and fauna that one can find within the perimeter of SGNP. Second, we wanted to create database with which we can conduct more surveys and study the patterns in order to improve the quality and conditions of the habitats so that all varieties of fauna and flora can flourish in this area,".Pandya is a professor of Zoology at Bhavans College.
Pandya was joined by Saurabh Sawant in the creation of this report. Pandya and Sawant together organised a workforce of more than 100 citizen volunteers and forest guards, who they trained in bird watching and sampling.
Sawant said, "The only way to move forward is to involve citizens in the process. We had an overwhelming response with 200 applications coming in. The volunteers who we chose are now educating people in their areas to recognise and protect their local biodiversity."
The occasion was graced by additional principal chief conservator of forest SA Thorat and chief conservator of forest Vikas Gupta among others.
Gupta encouraged the initiative and said, "Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a miracle forest to exist with such close proximity to the 15 million residents of a metropolitan city. Nowhere else in the world does such a forest exist and it should be conserved with full citizen participation."
This is the first time that a census has been compiled by SGNP. As many as 194 species were recorded to be present in the park. The aim of this census was to create a database that documents not only the number of species but also their population.
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