In Kolkata, many of us spend our evenings glued to our phones, checking messages, social media, or even things like
Kolkata Fatafat results, and often do not notice the living world around us. Over the last few months, I have tried to change this habit
by stepping out to nearby parks, lakes, and ghats, and I was surprised by how much urban wildlife is still surviving in our crowded city.
From common birds like crows, mynas, and kites to egrets and herons near waterbodies, these species are constantly adapting to traffic, pollution, and construction. Sometimes I even see bats, butterflies, and dragonflies at dusk, which reminds me that Kolkata
still has its own small green oases hidden between buildings and roads.
I feel that if more of us gave even 15–20 minutes a day to simply observing nature around our homes, instead of only focusing on our screens, it would improve our mental health and also make us more sensitive to conservation issues. Small actions like not littering
near lakes, respecting stray animals, supporting local tree planting, and speaking up when we see habitat destruction can make a difference to the birds and animals that share this city with us.
I would love to hear from other members of IndianWildlifeClub:
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Do you also watch urban wildlife in big cities like Kolkata?
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Have you noticed any changes in species or numbers over the years?
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What small steps can city residents take daily to protect the nature around them?
Please share your experiences and suggestions so that more people like me can learn to balance online habits with real-life connection to nature.