Taljai is a hill located in the heart of
Pune
Pune ( ; , ISO 15919, ISO: ), previously spelled in English as Poona (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name until 1978), is a city in the state of Maharashtra in the Deccan Plateau, Deccan plateau in Western ...
, India that has been designated as a wildlife reserve. The road to this hill passes through the Shivaji Maratha College campus with a picturesque mountain path, with sharp turns. Near the entrance of the forest is a temple to the hill's namesake Taljai mata; a Hindu goddess.
The reserve attracts migratory birds and is home to
peacock
Peafowl is a common name for two bird species of the genus '' Pavo'' and one species of the closely related genus '' Afropavo'' within the tribe Pavonini of the family Phasianidae (the pheasants and their allies). Male peafowl are referred t ...
s. The location is therefore popular with amateur bird watchers and ornithologists.
A recent study concluded that the lake at Taljai is dying due to dumping of
plastic waste
Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (e.g. plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects humans, wildlife and their habitat. Plastics that act as pollutants are cate ...
,
[Raut, R., Desai, S., Bapat, R. and Kharat, S., 2000. Aquatic Insects and Molluscs of Pune City. Journal of Ecological Society, pp.13-1]
/ref> facing issues to maintain its original form due to urbanization. Several organisations are running campaigns to raise the issue.
The park is open for visitors from 5:00 to10:00 in the mornings and from 4:30 to 7:00 in the evenings. Vehicles are prohibited in the area.
References
{{Pune topics
Tourist attractions in Pune
Hills of Pune
Hindu temples in Maharashtra