In the ancient times, women were considered inferior to men. Women were expected to stay within the four walls of the house and to take care of the family. With the changing time, the position of women also changed in the society. But this change was the result of a lot of struggle and efforts of some great women like Smt. Indira Gandhi, Kalpana Chawla, Anne Besant, etc.

One among such women who made a position for themselves in the world of history is Dr. Aditi Pant. She was the first Indian woman to visit the farthest corner of the world, the Antarctica region. She was an oceanographer who made the nation proud by being the first woman to set the foot on the icy terrains of the Antarctica.

Born in the state of Nagpur, not much is known about her early life but the information about her educational career is enough to show how brilliant and wonderful lady Dr. Aditi Pant was. She finished her B.Sc. from the University of Pune. While her undergraduate studies, Aditi Pant came across the book named ‘The Open Sea’ by Alister Hardy. This book had a very big effect in her life and that was when she decided to take up oceanography as her career.

The firm determination of Aditi Pant of being an oceanographer was boosted up with the US government scholarship to study Masters in marine sciences in the University of Hawaii. She pursued her PhD in Physiology in Marine Algae from the Westfield College in University of London.

Women were not allowed to get a very good education that time. But Dr. Aditi Pant had set up an example to the women section that not only can women reach up to space but also face the severe challenges of the ocean. After finishing her education, Dr. Aditi Pant started working with the National Institute of Oceanography situated in Goa. From 1973 to 1976, Aditi Pant studied a lot about the coasts and toured the Western Coastal areas of India. She also worked with the National Chemical Laboratory in Pune.

Dr. Aditi Pant was the first Indian lady to join the Third Expedition of the Antarctica region in the year 1983. She worked as a part of the Indian Antarctic Programme to explore the cold and chilled regions of the Antarctica. Under the severe and rough weather conditions Dr. Aditi Pant analysed the continent for four months and came out with wonderful discoveries.

The marvellous woman Dr. Aditi Pant was honoured by the Antarctica Award for being a part of the expedition. She was a wonderful and a very strong woman who is an inspiration for all other women around the nation to do what they want to and to achieve success everywhere, no matter which part of the Universe it is!

Anatomy

A Kakapo adult can measure about 55 to 65 cm and can weight from 2 to 5kg on an average. They have a green coloured feature with yellow and brown mottles. They have very less feature. Its colour helps it to camouflage with the surroundings of forest during the night. Their heavy weight may be the reason for its flight disabilities.  It has a distinct disc like face, large grey beak, short tail and large feet. It is world’s heaviest and flightless nocturnal parrot.

Habitat

They are predominantly found in main islands of New Zealand. Ironically they are now found only in Chalky Island and Cod Fish Island. Initially they were inhabited in grasslands and forests but now they are highly restricted only to woodlands.

Diet

Kakapo is an herbivore eating plants, fruits, nuts available in their habitat. Their specially featured beak enables it to easily grind the food.

Reproduction

Male Kakapo makes a distinct sound which can be heard for about 5km just to attract female Kakapo for mating. There is competition between groups of male Kakapo for attracting their mates. They have lek mating system which is uniquely present only in Kakapo. December to April is the usual mating period. And they should be atleast 1.5 kg for mating. The maturity is attained only during nine to ten years of age. The mating happens every two to five years. The female Kakapo reproduces around two to three eggs every time. And the eggs are hatched after 30 days.

Threat

These parrots were hunted by human beings for its flesh. The dogs and rats living in that islands relied on them as their feed. There was large clearing of forest for the sake of urbanisation which had a direct effect on these birds. Their very slow breeding abilities is also one of the reason for its endangerment.

Interesting facts about Kakapo parrot

• It is the world’s heavy and flightless parrot.
• They have strong legs. Even though they can’t fly they make around by their legs.
• They are nocturnal
• They are one of the oldest living bird
• They are sturdy