Taljai is a hill located in the heart of

Pune Pune (; ; also known as Poona, (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name from 1818 until 1978) is one of the most important industrial and educational hubs of India, with an estimated population of 7.4 million ...

, India that has been designated as a wildlife reserve. The road to this hill passes through the Shivaji Maratha College campus with a picturesque mountain path, with sharp turns. Near the entrance of the forest is a temple to the hill's namesake Taljai mata; a Hindu goddess. The reserve attracts migratory birds and is home to

peacock Peafowl is a common name for three bird species in the genera ''Pavo (genus), Pavo'' and ''Afropavo'' within the tribe Pavonini of the family Phasianidae, the pheasants and their allies. Male peafowl are referred to as peacocks, and female pea ...

s. The location is therefore popular with amateur bird watchers and ornithologists. A recent study concluded that the lake at Taljai is dying due to dumping of

plastic waste Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (e.g. plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects humans, wildlife and their habitat. Plastics that act as pollutants are catego ...

.Raut, R., Desai, S., Bapat, R. and Kharat, S., 2000. Aquatic Insects and Molluscs of Pune City. Journal of Ecological Society, pp.13-1

/ref>facing issues to maintain its original form due to urbanization. Several organisations are running campaigns to raise the issue. The park is open for visitors from 5 to 10 in the mornings and from 4:30 to 7:00 in the evenings. Vehicles are prohibited in the area.

References

{{Pune topics Tourist attractions in Pune Hills of Pune Hindu temples in Maharashtra