Officials promise to revive Pune sanctuary

PUNE: THE DR SALIM ALI BIRD SANCTUARY WAS

ONCE A FAVOURITE OF BIRDWATCHERS AS IT HOUSED 30 DIFFERENT SPECIES OF BIRDS

Pune collector Saurbh Rao has promised to preserve and protect the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary after Hindustan Times carried a report highlighting the sanctuary’s depleting condition.

Rajendra Muthe, resident deputy collector (RDC) of Pune said, “We have taken a serious cognizance of the Salim Ali bird sanctuary issue. We will be conducting meetings with the concerned departments in the coming week”.

He further added, “We could not follow up with the issue till now because the collector was busy with the on-going assembly sessions. However, we would conduct meetings and shall work towards formulating a proper plan for the revival of the bird sanctuary”.

The natural bird sanctuary was dedicated to ornithologist Dr Salim Ali, nearly two decades ago. It was once a very popular destination among birdwatchers as the ‘Yerawada birding point’ and used to feature at least 30 different species of birds including the Ruddy shelduck, Red wattled lapwings and Black headed ibis.

When asked about RDC Muthe’s comment, Vivek Khandekar, chief conservator, forest department, Pune said, “As of now, we haven’t received any letter from the collector office. However, we are very keen on taking up the legal issues, attached to the park, with the collector office.”

“It is indeed a very good sign that the issue has gained prominence and we look forward to supporting the process of revival of the sanctuary in every way possible,” added Khandekar.

Dharmaraj Patil, an ornithologist, said, “We welcome the sincere efforts taken by the authorities including the collector himself, towards protecting one of the most important green belts of Pune and also Dr Salim Ali bird sanctuary”.

Patil said that communication should be established between people like him who are well aware of the technicalities of the issue and the civil authorities. “Not in the very first meeting of the civic authorities, but in the later stages, it would help we are kept in loop”.