Maharashtra forest department's wildlife week begins today

PUNE: The forest department will conduct a series of programmes in the city during the wildlife week to be held from October 1 to 7. The programme includes a nature trail, a bird watching session, a stage show, tree walk, documentary screening, photography exhibition, among others.

The event has been supported by Nature Walk, the Bombay Natural History Society, the Indian Bird Conservation Network and Protecterra.

All the events are free and open to public.

Anuj Khare, honorary wildlife warden of Pune, said the week-long event will focus on creating awareness about environment and importance of wildlife conservation.

The programme starts Monday with a bird-watching session at Taljai hill between 6.45 am and 8.30 am.

The next day, a nature trail has been organised at Sinhagad valley between 7 am and 9 am. Sachin Punekar, founder President Biospheres will lead the nature trail team. To attend the event one needs to report at the forest guest house in Golewadi, at the base of Sinhagad fort at 6.45 am. Punekar will also lead a tree walk at ARAI hill (Vetal hill) on October 3 between 7 am and 9 am. He will help in identification of trees and create awareness of its importance and ecological aspect.

On the fourth day, a stage show, 'Mantarleli Wat', will be presented by naturalist Kiran Purandare at Bal Gandharva auditorium at 5.30 pm. Purandare will narrate his experiences on wildlife, imitate bird calls and present a slide show. A wildlife photography exhibition by leading wildlife photographers will also be on display at the Yashwantrao Chavan art gallery between 10 am and 8 pm on October 5 and 7.

Twenty-two photographers from the country have contributed their photographs for the exhibition. In the evening wildlife films will be screened.

On October 7, state forest minister Patangrao Kadam will felicitate forest guards at the National Film Archives Hall between 5 pm and 8 pm. The programme will conclude with a talk and a documentary screening. A documentary on urban joint forest management, Pune will also be released. The programme will conclude with a talk by noted ornithologist Satish Pande on bird conservation.