While guiding participants during a birdwatching session, noted ornithologist Umesh Vaghela said, “In a rapidly developing city, the conservation of urban ecosystems—such as Panchavati Hill—is essential to preserving biodiversity. For this, one must first understand nature’s cycles, and birdwatching is considered the first step in nature study. Panchavati Hill is an important green lung for Pune, providing critical habitat for both resident and migratory birds.” He was speaking during a special guided birdwatching program organized by Alive Charitable Trust at Panchavati Hill, Pashan, on Sunday, 9 November 2025, as part of the celebrations for Maharashtra Bird Week.

Maharashtra Bird Week is celebrated across the state to mark the birth anniversaries of Dr. Salim Ali, India’s pioneering ornithologist, and Maruti Chitampalli, the revered naturalist known as Aranyarishee. Through this program, participants paid tribute to these two legendary nature lovers by engaging in birdwatching. Many parents joined the walk with their children, some experiencing nature study for the very first time. Participants learned how to identify bird species and understand how habitats such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands support different kinds of birdlife.

Mr. Vaghela shared that 35 species of birds were documented during the walk, including the barn owl, shikra, rose-ringed parakeet, plum-headed parakeet, kingfisher, Indian roller, wagtail, warbler, cormorant, red-wattled lapwing, and spot-billed duck. Among migratory birds, only a pair of common sandpipers was recorded. He added, “This year, the monsoon continued unusually late into November, and as a result, the arrival of migratory wetland birds has also been delayed.”

Alive Charitable Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of nature and wildlife in Pune and Maharashtra. Its work focuses on public awareness, education, and wildlife rescue. The Trust actively works to bridge the gap between humans and wildlife in urban environments. During the program, Chaitanya Rajarshi, Secretary of Alive, introduced participants to the plant species found on the hill, while Rajendra Kamble coordinated the event.