Compilation of over 300 species of birds prevailing in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra in a book, also features butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and mammals
The Tata Power Company Limited, India’s largest integrated private power company unveiled the marathi version of “Birds of Lonavla and Khandala”, a book compiling rare species of birds that grace the faunal biodiversity of the twin hill stations. The book also focuses on the beautiful butterflies, vocal amphibians, colourful reptiles and secretive mammals residing in the region.
"Birds of Lonavla & Khandala" - co-authored by devoted conversationalist Dr. Satish Pande, Ela Foundation, Mr. Niranjan Sant, Mr. Pramod Deshpande and Tata Power employee Mr. Vivek Vishwasrao; is a reflection of the faunal biodiversity of the twin hill stations through the eyes of the authors. The journey is an assemblage of photographs captured and compiled over a period of time in and around Tata Power's hydro generation station.
The English version of "Birds of Lonavla & Khandala" was officially unveiled in 2008 by Mr. J. C. Daniel, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in private ceremony in the presence of Dr Anil Mahabal, Joint Director and In-Charge of Zoological Survey of India.
Mr. Prasad R. Menon, Managing Director, Tata Power said, " We are happy to be associated with such a novel cause; and its gives us immense pride that our fellow colleagues have become torch bearers to spread the need for environmental conservation and ambassadors towards preservation of our natural habitat. The book captures nature's refinement and subtlety provokes personal sentiment of making a difference."
The compilation in both English and Marathi, supported by Ela Foundation and Tata Power lends itself to sensitize the moral responsibility of individuals and the community at large towards conservation of our fragile ecosystem and a personal endeavor to discover and share nature’s splendour in its purest through a pictorial depiction of creation in its natural habitat. The book "Birds of Lonavla and Khandala" portrays over 300 species of birds, in addition to rare footage of butterflies, reptiles, amphibians prevailing in the Western Ghats of Mahrashtra compiled over a period of several years through personal field observations.
Highlights of the book:
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First of its kind book devoted to Northern-Western Ghats - an Indian hotspot of global importance
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Covers five taxa of animal kingdom. All birds recorded in the region till dates are photographically illustrated including few drawings.
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Highlights 328 bird species 9 species of which are threatened birds, 11 species are endemic to the Western Ghats and 11 species which are endemic to India, also covers 25 species each of important butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.
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Contains over 500 high quality colour photographs by 35 accomplished photographers and Illustrations by 6 artists. Specially conceived in a pocket guide format of making it easy to carry in the field, the book has been economically Priced at Rs 280/-, the book on “Birds of Lonavla and Khandala” will be made available with all the leading book stalls in Mumbai and Pune.
Lonavla and Khandala, the twin hill stations, are located in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. The Western Ghats are listed among the important global biodiversity hot spots; sadly, like elsewhere in the world, urbanization, deforestation, hunting and lack of education have stressed this wonderful, valuable and environmentally rich hot spot.
This richly illustrated photographic hand-book in english and marathi re-confirms companies’ commitment for Nature Conservation.
About Tata Powers’ conservation efforts in Lonavla and Khandala:
Tata Power has six lakes in this important Hot spot generating clean hydro power. The lake catchments are well protected and have since last 100 years provided shelter to this beautiful fauna. Tata Power with its Environment policy is committed to the conservation of the flora and fauna in all its lake catchment areas. Driving Afforestation programmes within their catchments areas and planting saplings mainly focused on the indigenous species has helped invite this beautiful fauna. The Company has also pursued ecological improvement in their lakes and for the conservation of the fish and other aquatic life therein. Under the Pisciculture project, since 1970, Tata Power has undertaken a project for the propagation and conservation of world-famous game fish - Mahseer Tor Putitora (endangered species). Tata Power's fishery scientist has developed methods of breeding of all the valid endangered species of Mahseer by stripping and artificial fertilization. The Mahseer conservation Project today is recognized as one of the biggest conservation efforts in India after 'Project Tiger'.
About Ela Foundation:
Ela foundation Pune are a group of committed conservationists working in the field for more than 10 years. They have many well known Publications to their credits. Ela Foundation is actively working in the field of nature education and conservation for several years and plays an active role in the production of this highly pictorial and user friendly book.
About Tata Power:
The Tata Power Company Limited is India's largest integrated private sector power utility with an installed generation capacity of about 3000 MW. The company has emerged as a pioneer in the Indian power sector, with a track record of performance, customer care and sustained growth. Tata Power has a presence in all the segments of the power sector viz generation (thermal, hydro, solar and wind), transmission and distribution. The Company has established global footprint by acquiring 30% stake in Indonesian Coal Mines and its 4000 MW Ultra Mega Power Project at Mundra (Gujarat) is on fast track. It has successful public-private partnerships in generation, transmission and distribution- North Delhi Power Limited with Delhi Vidyut Board for distribution in North Delhi, ‘Powerlinks Transmission Ltd.’ with Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. for evacuation of Power from Tala hydro project in Bhutan to Delhi and ‘Maithon Power Ltd.’ with Damodar Valley Corporation for a 1050 MW Mega Power Project.
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