Community pays tribute to Sunjoy Monga, 63, one of India’s most famous naturalists, who passed away on May 28
Sunjoy Monga, naturalist, wildlife photographer and writer. Pic/Raju Kasambe
Sunjoy Monga, 63, renowned birdman, conservation activist, prolific writer and former mid-day 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 photographer.
Sunjoy Monga, naturalist, wildlife photographer and writer. File pic
A 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 world.
Raju Kasambe, former assistant director, education, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and programme manager for Lands at The Nature Conservancy, said, “He 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 2008.”
Asad Rahmani, ornithologist and former president of BNHS
Eulogising 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. “Other 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 crucial,” Kasambe said.
Sunjoy Monga with Radhika D’Souza, convener of Nisarg-The Green Club, Royal College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mira Road. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Asad Rahmani, an ornithologist and former president of the BNHS, recalled Monga’s enthusiasm, saying, “I have known him for 40-odd years, since I first came to Mumbai. I had heard of Sunjoy Monga. At the time, he was very young and well-liked 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 conservation.”
Gracious gestures
“He 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 terribly,” Rahmani added.
Raju Kasambe, former assistant director, education, BNHS
Radhika D’Souza, convener of Nisarg-The Green Club, Royal College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mira Road, said, “Monga 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 youth.”
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