shivona bhojwani bird ecologist pursuing doctorate conservation sciences university minnesota matching metropolis research focuses understanding potential water bird conservation wetlands situated within paddy fields central india love birding especially waterbird ecology commence studying fergusson college pune completed master wildlife biology conservation national centre biological sciences wildlife conservation society wcs india program friday conferred ran mangli foundation late wing commander cm chaoji award young cleaning woman bird watcher birdwatcher talked achievements excerpts interview q made decide working gondia district develop pune spending time observing migrant hiss river developed interest studying water bird agricultural urban environments environments typically stick featured to a lesser extent forests flush though deal species live master dissertation guide scientist international crane foundation gopi sundar interested surveying potential habitats sarus cranes southernmost range india gondia amazed find dense network wetlands district grow back provide perspective perhaps addition wetlands ready and waiting explored found area currently supports small universe sarus grus also substantial number breeding migratory waterbird major observations water bodies gondia gondia first time msc doctoral research spectacular scene middle winter included common pochards graylag geese among others cattle grazing one side fishermen placing nets catch fish farmers sow seeds adjacent fields wetland sizes varied hectares hectares variation result different habitat conditions waterbirds major threats discover bird poisoning pesticides collisions force lines major one degradation wetlands due contamination encroachment spread invasive plants seen beautiful aquatic plants supported vulnerable species like stork ibis dwindle last years district still respective wetlands economize assistant recover populations major bird species observing observe different set species depending season boilers suit bird declines indicate data cover local fishermen farmers exploitation wetlands decades in general summer body of water scarce one find clump tall wading occupier birds like stork ibis along common diving birds like little cormorants little grebes dense flocks sites still shallow water monsoons plenty water one find upbringing nesting waterbirds one observe sarus cranes courting june egg laying hatching end monsoon towards september swamphens eurasian coots cotton pygmy cuckoo little grebes tend scuttle vegetation chicks standard winter count comparatively intelligent wetland generally individuals migratory birds bozo greylag geese pintailed duck shoveler year seem finding bigger flocks pintails smaller flocks shovellers garganey eurasian wigeons etc yet charm geese counts year small waders migrant sandpipers stints showing counts later conservation recommendations based observations hope completion phd work able provide district authorities well forest department information need place decisive wetland sites birds to boot provide data livelihoods place aboard waterfowl ecologic data administrations make informed conservation decisions foster meaningful partnerships people dependent getting pick out award going inspire cleaning lady convinced argument young women india lack inspiration much require safety support pursue dreams rarely get birding alone safety concerns forever accompanied someone badly limits much explore automatically puts disadvantage remember father accompanying data collection undergrad thesis pune going alone practical selection award show right support hard work possible succeed mostly field would encourage pres young students peculiarly char find groups go birding observe share cognition find opportunities outflank part take birds a great deal obtain