365 Days Open
Pushpa Gujral Science City celebrated Wildlife Week from October 2-8 by organizing two webinars on World Habitat Day (October 4) and Birds at Science City (October 5) which were attended by about 200 students from different educational institutions in the state. Giving introductory remarks on the occasion, Dr Neelima Jerath, Director General, Pushpa Gujral Science City, said that birds are the most beautiful and important co-inhabitants of human beings on the earth and constitute an integral part of the ecosystem. They rendered several eco-system services being pollinators, seed dispersal agents, natural biological agents for pest control, providers of protein rich food and some of them act as scavengers. She said that about 1,357 bird species had been reported from the country, out of which about 400 bird species were found in the state. However, changes in climate and habitat adversely affected them; hence the need to provide a proper habitat to these beautiful birds is the need of the hour. Mr. Rakesh Khatri, also known as the Nest Man of India, who founded the Eco Roots Foundation, Delhi, was the key speaker during the webinar on World Habitat Day. He has been recognized by the Limca Book of Records for making the maximum number of handmade nests. He delivered a talk on “Save the Sparrows: How to build a nest”. During his talk, Mr. Khatri said that the house sparrow is one of the most ubiquitous birds and is one of the most familiar winged companions of human beings. Further, he informed that the Eco Roots Foundation had initiated a step to save these birds by making handmade birdhouses. Till date, more than 1,25,000 jute nests and 40,000 tetra-pack nests had been made. Ms. Gitanjali Kanwar, Coordinator, Harike wetland unit of Rivers, Wetland and Water Policy of India, made a presentation of 65 birds surveyed till date on the Science City campus. She emphasized the need to organize nature walks for the students to make them learn about different bird species, their identification, voices, etc.
