Best Nature Walk in Ahmedabad | Discover Birds, Insects and Green Space
Date: 31st August 2025
Venue: Parimal Garden, Ahmedabad
Walk Leader: Mr. Haseeb Shaikh
Participants: 28
Theme: Discover the Wild Side of Your City
About the Walk Leader
Mr. Haseeb Shaikh is a keen wildlife and nature enthusiast who works as a freelance naturalist and consultant with wildlife, nature, and conservation education centers. He has spent 15 years studying leopard behavior at Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary near Baroda, Gujarat, and has been actively involved in biodiversity conservation of the region.
Mr. Shaikh holds extensive knowledge of mammals, especially felines, as well as birds and flora. He is also an experienced snake and crocodile handler and rescuer. Over the years, he has led wildlife tours in Gir National Park, Corbett, and Ranthambore, and has contributed to multiple animal and bird censuses in Gujarat and beyond.
Pre-Walk Preparations
This being the first Ahmedabad Earth Walk, there was a special excitement around the event.
I left Delhi by the Ashram Express on 29th August and reached Ahmedabad on 30th August. The same evening, I coordinated with Mr. Haseeb regarding walk logistics and meeting details. From the office, Ms. Puja Kumari posted a coordination message in the dedicated WhatsApp group for participants.
To enrich the experience, we requested everyone to pre-download:
eBird & Merlin for bird identification and record-keeping
iNaturalist for flora and fauna documentation
Additionally, I connected with Ms. Esha Munshi, Founder & Project Head at Feather Library, who kindly agreed to join the walk and share her expertise on bird feathers.
The Walk
On 31st August 2025, both Mr. Haseeb and I reached Parimal Garden at 6:40 AM. By 7:15 AM, all 28 participants had assembled at the meeting point.
We began with a short introduction about Asian Adventures, the vision of Ahmedabad Earth Walks, and information about the upcoming Global Wildlife Fair (10–12 October, Constitution Club of India, Delhi). Participants were welcomed with Asian Adventures caps, marking the start of our exploration.
The walk highlights included:
Bird Call Mimicry Session: Conducted by Dr. Yaseer, invited by Mr. Haseeb, which captivated participants.
Bird Feather Insights: Shared by Ms. Esha Munshi, offering fascinating learning on feather types and their functions.
Ecological Knowledge: Mr. Haseeb explained about plants, butterflies, habitats, and bird behaviors, weaving stories that connected participants to nature.
A special element of this walk was the presence of students of zoology and landscape architecture, who actively engaged with the leader, asking questions and sharing their perspectives.
The walk concluded with a lively Q&A session, leaving participants with meaningful takeaways about urban biodiversity. At 9:10 AM, we wrapped up with group camaraderie and a heartfelt farewell, ensuring everyone carried back sweet memories of the morning.
Post-Walk
After the walk, I spent the rest of the day in Ahmedabad with Mr. Haseeb, discussing future collaborations. In the evening, I boarded the train back to Delhi, carrying with me the joy and success of the very first Ahmedabad Earth Walk.