Biodiversity of birds in spotlight

Mumbai: The biodiversity of birds in the region will be the central theme of a convention by Maharashtra Pakshimitra Sammelan (Friends of Birds in Maharashtra) to be held for the first time at Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivli in north Mumbai, between January 13 and 15.

Maharashtra Pakshimitra Sanghatana, a leading birdwatching organisation, has chosen Mumbai as the venue for its 25th year convention in the light of the fact that India's financial capital is blessed with abounding biodiversity.

Experts

"It is a habitat for nearly 350 species of birds. But growing urbanisation and environmentally unsound policies have severely affected the natural habitat. The safe existence of birds in Mumbai has become a matter of concern. In an effort to voice this issue, we are holding our 25th convention in Mumbai," the convention's central coordinator Prashant Nanaware said.

To be attended by more than 200 bird experts, the convention will see a comprehensive debate on the Bird Biodiversity of Mumbai Metropolitan Region which incidentally is the central theme of the event. There will also be debates on habitat change, population dynamics, migration issues, bird tourism, community and conservation, wildlife laws and pet trade at the three-day convention.

The event is being is supported by more than 30 organisations that include Sanjay Gandhi National Park-Borivli, Bombay Natural History Society, Nature Lovers-Malad, Maharashtra Nature Park-Dharavi, HOPE, Thane, Sprout and Nisarga Mitra-Panvel.

Various other programmes, including drawing competitions for school students, photography competitions for youngsters, photography workshops and bird-observation programmes for senior citizens are being organised as part of the convention.

Awareness

Given that 2012 is the 25th year of its formation, Sanghatna is taking up a series of special projects to create awareness about bird conservation among people, all through the year, in various parts of Maharashtra, Nanaware said.