Birdwatchers fight to save Pune’s highest hill, one spot at a time

Pune’s Vetal Tekdi, once facing development threats, has been preserved through a shift in public perception. Avid birder Ranjeet Rane initiated informal birdwatching walks, revealing the hill’s rich biodiversity. This community-driven effort, documented through citizen science initiatives like the Great Backyard Bird Count, has transformed the hill from mere open land into a valued ecosystem, ensuring its future.