Those were the early days of my Bird watching and Bird Photography. It was Google Maps which led me to this Sanctuary. I had done a couple of trips to ARAI Hill and Pashan Lake for Bird Photography by this time. I was looking for a different place nearby where I can find a different terrain and most importantly a different ecology. In milder words, I was a bit bored with ‘the known‘ places. One day I was playing around a bit with google maps to see anything green around Pune. That’s when near Yerawada I saw Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Basically, I lost it to know that there is a sanctuary in the city limits of Pune!

I talked with my father who was a Forest Department Officer and coincidentally had worked in the Sanctuary for a brief amount of time. I asked him about the sanctuary. He told me a brief but very sad story of this little Sanctuary.

It was a private property many years ago. The place is near Mula-Mutha riverbed, has a very good biodiversity and is a natural sanctuary. The sanctuary was dedicated to Dr. Salim Ali almost 20 years ago. The Sanctuary was handed over to Forest Department and then in about 10 years it got transferred to Pune Municipal Corporation. I don’t know who did what but it is not the same sanctuary I used to work for anymore. It’s pity. But, it’s the case with almost any natural habitat anyways..

When I told him that I want to go there for birding, he was adamant to join me. Since, in his opinion which I second, it is not safe to go by yourself in the Sanctuary. It has not just remained a sanctuary. It’s a dumping ground of addicts, convicts, criminals, and thieves. So a little advice from me DO NOT GO BY YOURSELF!

Anyways, enough of serious stuff, I am sure must have understood the seriousness. Let’s move to a more fun part. Finally, we decided to go there. It was the 27th of December 2015. We reached the place at around 7 AM. I was surprised because I have used this road so many times but, never noticed this gate. It is near the cremation place! We parked our bike outside. It was a fairly cold morning and there was fog.

The place was DUMP! Honestly, I did not expect anything. But, still, I tagged along with my father since he knew the place and the paths. Like I mentioned in my previous blogs, I feel he brings luck in Bird Photography and overall birding.

Through shrubs and trees, we walked towards the shore of the river. I could hear birds chirping around. Mostly sunbirds. I was seeing garbage all over. It was a very sad scene. Still, I didn’t lose hope I took out my gear. The first bird I spotted was a Western Yellow Wagtail

Western Yellow Wagtail Western Yellow Wagtail

We found a place near the shore which was slightly cleaner than the rest of the place. I was amazed to see a great string of birds around! We were sitting on rocks, surrounded by garbage, odor. It was a strange situation. It was like a beautiful necklace placed in the dustbin.

I observed a string of waterbird and other terrestrial species of birds while sitting there

Indian Spot-Billed Ducks Black-Winged Stilt Common Kingfisher Gey Headed Swamphen Red Wattled Lapwing Ruddy Shelduck Painted Stork Common Sandpiper Grey Heron Common Drongo Pond Heron Kite Babbler Common Koot

I clicked many photos I wish you take a look at the gallery below. I hope you will enjoy the photos. Many photos have more than one species of the birds too 🙂

Common Kingfisher and Sandpiper Common Kingfisher and Sandpiper Spotted Billed Duck Spot Billed Duck and Black Winged Stilt Spot Billed Duck and Black Winged Stilt Ruddy Shelduck Couple Ruddy Shelduck Ruddy Shelduck Ruddy Shelduck Pond Heron Painted Stork Painted Stork, Grey Headed Swamphen and Black Winged Stilt Painted Stork and Grey Headed Swamphen Painted Stork and Grey Headed Swamphen Painted Stork and Grey Headed Swamphen Painted Stork and Grey Headed Swamphen Painted Stork and Grey Headed Swamphen Painted Stork and Black Winged Stilt Painted Stork and Common Koot (in Background) Painted Stork Painted Stork Painted Stork Situation At Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary Many Birds in One Frame ! Many Birds in One Frame Many Birds in One Frame! Many Birds in One Frame Kite Grey Heron Grey Heron In Flight Grey Heron In Flight Grey Heron In Flight Grey Heron In Flight Grey Heron Grey Heron Grey Heron Grey Headed Swamphen Grey Headed Swamphen Grey Headed Swamphen Grey Headed Swamphen Grey Headed Swamphen Common Drongo Common Drongo Common Sandpiper Common Sandpiper Common Koot Common Kingfisher Common Kingfisher and Sandpiper Common Kingfisher Common Kingfisher Common Kingfisher Common Kingfisher Common Kingfisher Common Kingfisher Common Kingfisher Common Kingfisher Black Winged Stilt Black Winged Stilt Babbler Prev 1 of 59 Next

At around 11 AM we left the Sanctuary. I was left with a confused and a very awkward feeling. Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is a fantastic place for birding but, is basically a dumping ground. Truly a Paradise Ruined!