Birdwatchers Record 67 Species in One Day at Sanjay Gandhi National Park

In a heartening development for Mumbai's birdlife, 67 bird species were spotted in a single day at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), often referred to as the green lung of India's financial capital. This achievement reaffirms SGNP's status as a crucial hotspot for avian diversity, with the total number of recorded bird species in the park now standing at 232.

On June 30, 2024, 46 dedicated volunteers participated in a Bird Count, organized as part of the Bombay Natural History Society’s (BNHS) SGNP Bird Monitoring Programme. Despite the monsoon rains, these volunteers successfully recorded 67 different bird species in just one day.

"Our dedicated volunteers continue to unveil the rich avian diversity of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. With 67 bird species recorded during this month’s count, we celebrate SGNP’s vital role as a biodiversity haven. Let us persist in our commitment to wildlife conservation," said Kishor Rithe, Director of BNHS.

He emphasized the importance of the park as a biodiversity hotspot and encouraged continued efforts in wildlife conservation.

The BNHS has called upon nature enthusiasts to join these monthly counts and contribute to the ongoing efforts in preserving and understanding the rich avian life in the park. The monthly Bird Count is a key activity that showcases the park’s incredible biodiversity and fosters community involvement in wildlife conservation.

The bird monitoring programme is supported by the staff of Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, under the leadership of Director and Chief Conservator of Forests G. Mallikarjuna and Assistant Conservator of Forests Sudhir Sonawale. The count is coordinated by Asif Khan from the BNHS Programmes Department and the CEC-Mumbai Team led by Sumit Dothre, Shardul Bajikar, Kiran Thumma, and Priyadarshini Supekar.

This collaborative effort highlights the vital role of SGNP in maintaining urban biodiversity and underscores the importance of continued conservation efforts.