Sunjoy Monga, renowned birdman and conservationist, passes away at 63

Sunjoy Monga 63 renowned birdman conservation activist prolific writer and former midday columnist passed away on May 28 after a long battle with blood cancer Among the numerous hats Monga wore one of his favourites was that of a wildlife photographerSunjoy Monga naturalist wildlife photographer and writer File picA keen naturalist who wrote extensively about nature and the animal world Monga had initiated an environmental awareness drive Young Rangers for schoolchildren across India The fraternity was understandably shocked at his untimely demise recalling his passion for the natural worldRaju Kasambe former assistant director education Bombay Natural History Society BNHS and programme manager for Lands at The Nature Conservancy said ldquoHe was suffering from blood cancer I remember him from 2008 when he first called me He was trying to bring all the birdwatchers and ornithologists across Mumbai together He was managing a group called Birds of Mumbai He had started the India Bird Races programme a year ago and we joined hands to start it in Nagpur in 2008rdquoAsad Rahmani ornithologist and former president of BNHSEulogising Monga as a keen and enthusiastic ornithologist who did a lot to compile all the birdwatching data on one platform Kasambe said the conservationist brought together the community in Mumbai to help study and draw conclusions on the observations ldquoOther than being a naturalist he was a prolific author But what birders in India will remember him for is bringing the Bird Races to India Previously this was an activity that was only conducted in Hong Kong He took it to over 16 cities across India He tried to get the data compiled observe trends and spread that information through that community Till the new apps like eBird arrived this data was crucialrdquo Kasambe saidSunjoy Monga with Radhika DrsquoSouza convener of NisargThe Green Club Royal College of Arts Science and Commerce Mira Road PICSBY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTAsad Rahmani an ornithologist and former president of the BNHS recalled Mongarsquos enthusiasm saying ldquoI have known him for 40odd years since I first came to Mumbai I had heard of Sunjoy Monga At the time he was very young and wellliked by seniors like JC Daniel who was the curator at BNHS then I remember him as a very active young member who was an enthusiastic participant in conducting the bird census and butterfly counts among other activities It is no surprise that he developed so quickly into a brilliant educator He was also a very good writer photographer and a very good friend who was totally committed to conservationrdquoGracious gesturesldquoHe had travelled all over India but his work and focus were concentrated in Mumbai Long after I left BNHS we stayed in touch over phone calls He was kind enough to come to the launch of my book at Kitab Khana in Fort He was recovering then We will all miss him terriblyrdquo Rahmani addedRaju Kasambe former assistant director education BNHSRadhika DrsquoSouza convener of NisargThe Green Club Royal College of Arts Science and Commerce Mira Road said ldquoMonga Sir has been a supporter and mentor for the club We have been participating in the Bird Races that he organised in Mumbai since 2009 The books he wrote over the years are part of our library and are necessary reading for students and volunteers alike His handbook Birds of Mumbai has been a guide on nature walks by the club Last year he was gracious enough to attend the valedictory session of our Bird Study certificate course He again attended a book launch by one of our students about birds on campus His love for conservation extended to encouraging the participation of youthrdquo