Recognising the ecological importance and the ecosystem services provided by urban wilderness areas, an educational project ‘Awareness and Education about Birds in Pune city’, has been taken up by the Pune Municipal Corporation and Indradhanushya Centre for Citizenship and Environment Education, which is being implemented by CEE. The project site is Pashan Lake in Pune, an important urban wetland in the city. Diorama, photo panels, collages of key bird species and wayside signages on local ecology have been developed for placement in the visitor centre at the site. The centre features information panels that elaborate upon the history, watershed, biodiversity and importance of the lake. It introduces the visitors to several species of resident and migratory water birds and terrestrial birds which visit the lake. It also talks about the importance of urban wetlands, the threats they face and the need to conserve them.
Other activities included facilitating nature trails, bird watching activities and discussions with experts. The resource material developed for the educational activities includes an educator’s manual, self-guided nature trail brochure for educators and the general public, and a specially designed Nature Journal for children to start them on the journey of exploring the environment. CEE has conducted nine nature trails at Pashan, of which six were for PMC schools while three were open to the public.
Established as a Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India.
