Mumbai lost one of its most cherished naturalists, Sunjoy Monga, fondly known as the ‘Birdman of Mumbai,’ who passed away on May 28, 2025, at the age of 63 after a courageous nine-year battle with blood cancer. A renowned wildlife photographer, conservationist, author, and educator, Monga’s contributions to environmental awareness and bird conservation have left an indelible mark on India’s natural history landscape. His passion for nature, particularly birds, inspired generations of enthusiasts, from schoolchildren to seasoned ornithologists.
A Life Dedicated to Nature
Born in Masjid Bunder, Mumbai, Sunjoy Monga was a naturalist at heart, whose love for wetlands, forests, and grasslands shaped his lifelong mission to document and protect India’s biodiversity. His journey in birdwatching began alongside luminaries like Humayun Abdulali and Salim Ali, pioneers in Indian ornithology. Monga’s early involvement with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), where he served on the governing council for several years, solidified his reputation as a dedicated naturalist.
Monga’s multifaceted career saw him wear many hats: wildlife photographer, writer, cinematographer, and conservation activist. His work extended beyond Mumbai, but the city remained the epicenter of his efforts. As Bittu Sahgal, founder-editor of Sanctuary Asia, noted, Monga was “viscerally a part and parcel” of the magazine in its early years, helping navigate the complexities of wildlife conservation. His photography earned accolades, including a second-place finish in the 1991 BBC British Gas International Photographer of the Year competition, and he served as a consultant for international projects like Channel Four’s In Search of Wild India and the BBC’s The Trials of Life.
Pioneering the Mumbai Bird Race
One of Monga’s most enduring contributions was the inception of the Mumbai Bird Race in 2005, inspired by a similar event in Hong Kong. This dawn-to-dusk birdwatching event, now known as Wings – Birds of India, transformed birding into a community-driven celebration of Mumbai’s avian diversity. The inaugural race saw around 100 enthusiasts record 277 bird species in and around Mumbai, and the event expanded to 33 cities across India, fostering a nationwide love for birdwatching.
Monga’s meticulous approach to compiling bird data, analyzing checklists, and presenting findings through engaging presentations made the Bird Race a cornerstone of India’s conservation efforts. Even as technology like the eBird app streamlined data collection, his early efforts laid the groundwork for citizen science in ornithology. As Raju Kasambe of The Nature Conservancy recalled, Monga’s grit in organizing these events was unparalleled, inspiring countless participants.
Championing Wetland Conservation
Monga was a fierce advocate for Mumbai’s wetlands, raising alarms as early as 2006-07 about the destruction of nearly 85% of Uran’s wetlands due to unchecked urbanization. His warnings about the potential loss of flamingo habitats mobilized citizens and activists, helping safeguard these critical ecosystems. Sunil Agarwal of Save Navi Mumbai Mangroves and Wetlands group praised Monga’s guidance in preserving threatened mangroves and wetlands.
His involvement extended to key conservation bodies, including the Executive Committee of the MMRDA’s Environment Improvement Society, the Maharashtra Nature Park Society, and an honorary role as Warden at Sanjay Gandhi National Park. These positions underscored his commitment to integrating ecological sensibility into urban planning.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Monga’s passion for education was evident in initiatives like Young Rangers and Chhoton ka Funda - Hara Banao Project, which introduced schoolchildren across India to the wonders of nature. These programs, reaching over a hundred schools, fostered environmental stewardship among young minds. Despite his battle with cancer, Monga continued leading nature trails, engaging children with his infectious enthusiasm. Radhika D’Souza of Nisarg-The Green Club called him a mentor whose humility and approachability left a lasting impact.
His books, including Birds of Mumbai and Journeys through India’s Last Wild Places, remain essential resources for birdwatchers and conservationists. Birds of Mumbai, with its detailed descriptions and watercolor illustrations by Carl D’Silva, is a comprehensive guide to over 350 bird species in the Mumbai region, making it accessible to both novices and experts.
A Legacy Remembered
Monga’s passing has left the conservation community in deep shock. “A great tree has fallen,” said Pravin Subramanian, a long-time collaborator in the Bird Race. Asad Rahmani, former BNHS president, remembered him as a “brilliant educator” and a committed friend to conservation. Tributes on X echoed this sentiment, with users calling him “India’s finest ornithologist” and a defender of wildlife whose legacy will endure.
Sunjoy Monga’s life was a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. As he once told Hindustan Times, “Birds teach, they are always revealing some secret, they act as a barometer of the city’s general health.” His work ensured that Mumbai’s wilderness, from its wetlands to its urban forests, remains a vibrant part of the city’s identity. Though he is no longer with us, his vision continues to inspire new generations to explore, protect, and cherish India’s natural heritage.