In a notable development, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Mumbai's verdant urban oasis, recently recorded the presence of the Grey Francolin (Ortygornis pondicerianus), a ground-dwelling bird celebrated for its unique calls and cryptic plumage. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a prominent nature conservation NGO headquartered in Mumbai, orchestrated a comprehensive Bird Count at SGNP in December. This survey, designed to monitor the avian biodiversity of the park, yielded fascinating results, including identifying 84 distinct bird species and an unexpected sighting of a leopard by vigilant volunteers along two transects.
Kishore Rithe, Director of BNHS, emphasised the significance of these observations, highlighting the thriving biodiversity within urban green spaces. The findings underscore the delicate equilibrium that must be maintained between ongoing urban development and the imperative to preserve and protect the natural world. Rithe called upon BNHS members, bird watchers, and concerned citizens to actively participate in citizen science initiatives, emphasising the pivotal role that collective efforts play in conservation.
During the December Bird Count, the Shilonda Transect at SGNP resonated with the distinctive calls of the Grey Francolin, a native bird species to India, characterised by its ground-dwelling habits and intricate plumage. Additionally, the bird enthusiasts and volunteers conducting the survey across two transects were treated to an unexpected sight—a leopard. Siddharth Jain, among the volunteers, managed to capture a compelling photograph of the leopard near Jambhumaal.
Coordinated by Dr Raju Kasambe, Assistant Director of Conservation at BNHS, and Asif N. Khan from the BNHS Programmes Department, the SGNP Bird Count has been an ongoing initiative since February 2021. This citizen science program, officially known as the "SGNP Bird Monitoring Programme," involves monthly bird counts at various SGNP and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary locations. These systematic counts, executed with the active involvement of BNHS members, dedicated bird watchers, and volunteers, contribute crucial data to the ongoing conservation efforts in these vital ecosystems. The unexpected discovery of the Grey Francolin and the rare sighting of a leopard underscore the significance of such monitoring programs in understanding and safeguarding the diverse wildlife inhabiting urban green spaces like SGNP.