Spotted or Scaly-breasted Munia

This sub-species is fairly common in the city. The birds inhabit lightly wooded areas and are often found near buildings. They are smaller than the common sparrow and have a reddish-brown colored head and upper body parts, with brownish-black speckled breast and abdomen.

Their thick bill helps in feeding on grains and grass seeds.  They move around in groups and during the breeding season can be spotted in pairs. Both sexes are alike. The pair in these photographs was in search of a nesting place and unsuccessfully attempted to build a nest in the covered balcony. After 2 or 3 days of collecting grass leaves for the nest, they abandoned the balcony for a better place in the tree nearby.  

Blackheaded or Brahminy Myna

Hindi: Bamani myna

It is slightly smaller than the common myna, with brownish abdomen and lower body parts and a black crown. Its upper body is dull greyish-brown color with black wing tips. It can be spotted throughout the western region in lightly wooded areas and on flowering plants.

Green Leaf Warbler

Also called Greenish Warbler, it is an arboreal bird found in thickly wooded areas. It actively moves through the thickets, singly or in pairs and is quite common.

It has a greenish-grey body with dull white abdomen. There is a distinct white strip running above its eyes.

Pune zoo

I had last visited Katraj Snake Park in 1997. In those days, the snakes were placed in several enclosures  and snake pits. There was nothing interesting for visitors to the park. The zoo was just an open grassy land where some animals from the Peshwe Park were shifted. However, the zoo (Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, as it is now called) has changed for the better. Fourteen years later (in 2011), the trees have grown bigger and taller. There is dense undergrowth in the surroundings and in the tiger and leopard enclosures. The animals are not caged in dingy cells, but roam about freely in their enclosures. The zoo has been rated as sixth best in India by the Central Zoo Authority. There is also a small lake where boating is permitted. It is a good way of spending your holiday, especially if you have only visited the unimpressive Rani Bagh in Mumbai.

If you do visit the zoo, be prepared for a long and tiring walk if you wish to see all the animals. The reason is, the pathways, although well paved, have not been planned for visitors on foot. Towards the far end of the zoo are located the black buck and wolf enclosures, with the elephant about 200m beyond that. However, there is no direct way out of the zoo from there, except retracing your steps all the way back to the exit. No wonder, many of the visitors skip the elephant enclosure.

For those who wish to avoid walking, there is a battery operated van, which takes you around the zoo. One has to purchase separate tickets for the van; take it only if you are too tired to walk.

Indian Cormorant

Hindi: Pan Kawwa. 

It is of the size of a duck and is jet black in color, with a beak hooked at its tip. It moves along streams and creeks and dives in to catch fish under water. After its catch, it is often found drying itself with outstretched wings. Photograph location: Bhandup mangroves.

Destruction of mangroves

Two weeks ago, in my post on Mangroves, I had assumed that existing government regulations were adequate to protect the mangroves in suburban regions. Unfortunately, the assumption was based on my understanding of the land development laws (refer MMRDA Land Policy). It has now emerged that a large belt of salt-pan land and several acres of mangroves may be completely destroyed by the construction activity in progress for an SEZ (refer article in TOI, Nov 02, 2011, "SEZ will kill mangrove belt, warn experts").

Inspite of existing environment laws, forest land is being converted to residential and industrial use under the guise of development. No one is against development. However, this should not be at the cost of environment. Municipal officials should carry out a thorough investigation to ensure that no laws are circumvented for monetary benefit of a few at the cost of an entire region's ecology. Adverse effects of such destruction of mangroves are very well known and do not need any elaboration here. It is sincerely hoped that the MoEF investigates all cases where industrial permits have been granted and ensures that there are no violations land regulations.