Researchers extend helping hand to PMC in recording biodiversity of Pune

Researchers from environment field have decided to extend support to Pune Municipal Corporation (OMC) in preparing the records of Pune’s bio-diversity status. For the first time ever, PMC has started registering the status of city’s biodiversity which will help to identify indigenous species existing in Pune. For that researchers have started submitting their research papers to PMC.

Every year, PMC comes up with environment status report (ESR) about areas which impact city’s environment. The report is based on macro study. However this time, the environment cell of PMC has taken up a micro study of the biodiversity status of Pune. It has appealed to the researchers to share their works to create a database of city’s biological life.

Mangesh Dighe, environment officer of PMC told dna, “We have decided to go at the micro level to come up with a register of the biodiversity situation of the city which is called People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR). The register will help us understand the kind of biological life that exists in the city and the ways to preserve it.”

Rahul Mungikar, research consultant said, “The civic administration or even the state government does not have any record of biodiversity. Such  register will be a good exercise. This type of register will also help us to identity the indigenous species, plants with their medicinal values, types of birds which migrate to Pune and their season of migration.” Once we register the biodiversity status of the city, we can also take the next step of regulation to protect the biodiversity,” he said.

Civic body has appealed various researchers to share their research papers with PMC so that PMC can include details of their research in the register. In fact, the researchers have already started responding to PMC and they have started sharing their research work with PMC.Experts speak

City based ornithologist Kiran Purandare has already shared his research papers on birds in Pune with PMC. Speaking to dna, Purandare said, “The record will help us to know exactly what is to be conserved and efforts regarding that can be channelised.”

“I have already shared my books which I have written on birds and rivers in the city. I have also given PMC a list of birds which are seen in the city,” Purandare said. Like Purandare, botanist Shrikant Ingalhalikar has also shared his research papers on trees in the city. Ingalhalikar said, “I have already submitted research papers to PMC which gives details about various species of trees available in the city. The nature has given us so much and I feel that it is our responsibility to contribute for the preservation of this nature. Other researchers also should contribute for preparation of records through their research papers.”