A birder's guide to the Galapagos

As a child who grew up with a view of a giant banyan tree from her room Dr Ketki Marthak developed a fondness early on for the many birds that called it home But when I would ask my parents their names they wouldnt be able to help much And so they gifted me my first bird book by Dr Salim Ali recalls the ENT surgeon who over the years has nurtured her interest in birding with courses in ornithology botany and entomology On her 50th birthday in 2014 her husband gave her a gift she continues to cherishFrigate bird maleI love travelling so he clubbed it with my love for birdwatching and gifted me a trip to the Galaacutepagos Islands says Dr Marthak her excitement still palpable in her voice It is this joy of spotting and spending time with the unique wildlife of the Ecuadorian archipelago in the Pacific Ocean that she will share with fellow nature lovers at a public lecture Galaacutepagos Islands ndash An enigma uncovered organised by the Museum Society of Mumbai and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya this evening A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its endemic species the islands have fascinated several naturalists starting with Charles DarwinWaved AlbatrossIt was Darwins observation of the finches on the Galaacutepagos with remarkably different beaks suited to consume specific foods that inspired his theory of evolution by natural selection says Dr Marthak adding that apart from this natural legacy what drew her to the islands were its beautiful beaches and the prospect of swimming with sea lions and penguins mdash Puerto Villamil in the archipelago is the only place in the Northern Hemisphere where the latter are found in their natural habitat It is an openair classroom where 99 per cent of the total population of species including the marine iguana and waved albatross is foundshe addsKetki MarthakDr Marthak also recalls her experience of how they would go island hopping in the daytime during her 10day trip where she visited the islands of Isabella Fernandina Espionola and Santacruz which has the Charles Darwin Centre There are various tour operators that draw up itineraries based on the travellers interests which include snorkelling and marine life whale watching or just lazing by the beach But tourists arent allowed to stay back on the islands and need to return to their liner at night she explains a measure taken in view of the fragile ecosystem of the scenic locationGalapagos Giant TortoiseHaving travelled to national parks and wildlife reserves across India how does she compare the level of protection accorded to the flora and fauna here Their laws are far stricter than ours Here you can wear flashy reds and enter the Jim Corbett National Park which has no cap on the number of tourists it can allow in a day The entry to the Galaacutepagos on the other hand is restricted she says adding There are strict laws against littering and breaking them results in heavy fines Contrast it with the commoner in India who will play the radio in the jungle his telescopic lens in hand photographing the tiger being his sole aimSally Lightfoot CrabsON Today 6 pmAT Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Kala Ghoda FortCALL 22844484FREECatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates