India, March 25 -- Hidden in the rugged folds of the Aravallis just south of Gurugram city lies the Bhondsi forest. This semi-evergreen terrain, with its rocky ledges, dry foliage, and seasonal water bodies, has long served as a safe haven for birds, both resident and migratory.

Though not a designated wildlife sanctuary, Bhondsi is a critical ecological corridor that connects fragmented green zones and supports a diverse population of birds - from the flamboyant Indian pitta to the elusive Indian eagle owl - and is home to nearly 46% of Haryana's bird species.

However, in recent years, this rich landscape has come under siege - not from the real estate industry and accompanying bulldozers, but from a different kind of intrusion: unscru...