WALK THROUGH NATURE, vertical 5

On August 24th, the launch event of "WALK Through Nature", an initiative of District 3131 Environment Avenue was held at Empress Garden. On this occasion, First lady Rtn Dr Tanuuja Marathe, Dr. Rajendra Kumar Saraf, Director of Environment and Presidents from Rotary club Magarpatta City, Rtn Sameer Yadav and RC Hadapsar Central, Rtn Ashirwad Tupe were present. The Rotary club of RC Camp, RC Parvati, RC Metro, RC Magarpatta City, RC Hadapsar Central, participated as co-hosts in this event. Spouse of RC Camp, Rtn Mutha, along with 10 members of RC Camp, Rtns from RC Metro, PE of RC Metro, IPP of RC Parvati, were also present. During the event, the participants, including Rotarians and Interactors of Interact club of RC METRO, got to experience the walk organized with the help of the Ecological Society . Their educators,Shri Kedar Bhagwat, and shri Siddhartha Binniwale were present and introduced various types of birds.

Highlights of the Nature Walk at the Empress Garden 24.08.2025

1. Banyan trees and climbers and shrubs around these trees helped us to understand the concept 'Tree of life'.
2. "Artocarpus Lakoocha" an evergreen tree, from Western ghats and it's similarities with Jackfruit tree
3. Interaction of Three striped palm squirrels with Common Mynas foraging on ground.
4. Observing interspecies competition for the nesting cavity.
5. We discussed how "Albizia procera" stores toxic matter in one of the branches. What is the sacrificial branch phenomenon.
6. It was nice to discuss the tamarind tree and its origin and the story about the name 'Tamar e hind' became Tamarind.
7. Lastly we looked at the wingspan of various bird species on the 'Check your wingspan' wall.
8. Played nature games on how animals eavesdrop on alarm calls of other species to avoid the contact with predators.
9. Birds spotted during the Walk
Black Kite
Indian grey Hornbill
Common Myna
Asian Koel
Alexandrine Parakeet
Rose ringed Parakeet
Common Tailorbird
House crow
Large billed Crow

The Seed collected by First lady Dr. Tanuuja seemed to be of Jungli Badam.