Field visit to Maharashtra

Nature Park

BY- Krushen D Gala

DIV – B
Roll no = 1016
INTRODUCTION
 “Green Heaven in centre of concrete city Mumbai, ‘Maharashtra Nature
Park’ ( Also Referred with short word ‘MNP’) which was once called
‘Mahim Nature Park’, Developed my MMRDA with an helping hand
NGO is located at Bandra Sion link road (Quite near to Mahim), and is
exactly on opposite side of Dharavi slums. This nature park has magical
woodland with 14 thousand trees, 300 varieties of plants with few as
herbs, a lake, 100’s of varieties of migrating birds, insects, beautiful
butterflies, reptiles and few mammals too.”
 On September 18 2017 Our college had organized EVS field visit to
Maharashtra nature park. When we reached to the Mahim Nature Park
(MNP) We found it difficult to believe that, the forest we see before our
eyes was once a city garbage dump.

 But that is exactly what it was less than 20 years ago. Located on Bandra-
Sion Link Road and on the Southern bank of Mithi River (which starts from
Borivali National Park highlands skirting the airport and meets the Arabian
Sea at Mahim Bay and which is one of the major drainages of Mumbai) this
mini-forest is nothing short of a miracle


 The brick paths of Maharashtra Nature Park lead visitors to a forest-like
setting that boasts of about 76 varieties of butterflies, more than 125 species
of birds, and as many as 14,000 plants of 300 varieties, including at least 100
kinds of woody trees and a wealth of herbs and shrubs.

 The park has three gates. From the west to the east, the first gate opens to the
nursery; the second gate is the main entrance to the park, and the third gate
leads to an unused part of the park.

 Apart from these, Maharashtra Nature Park is a natural habitat for a wide
range of insects, spiders, reptiles and amphibians. Here, one feels the pulse
of nature, despite the stench from the Mithi River, which runs along the
Park's northern border.

 The once Mahim nature park full of garbage is now a green park with about
thousands of trees
The Nature trail of The Park

 The eye opening location of this park being on other side of road is the
dharavi slums and just opposite is this green heaven with a different
climate and temperature you can feel, that’s the beauty of mother earth. It
will take about 2 to 3 hours completely to check every plant, bird, insects
and those reptiles inside this green woodland.

 The Shanti Path begins at the main gate and traces the edge of the
reservoir to the northern periphery until it reaches the Mithi River. Here
through the arching branches of the forest, one experiences the
juxtaposition of two jungles: first the lush mangrove forest in the Mithi
River Estuary

The Reservoir of Maharashtra Nature Park

 The nature park needs about 10 million litres of water every year, the
bulk of which is used for irrigation and other non-potable purposes. To
reduce its dependence on municipal water supply, Maharashtra Nature
Park sought to construct a reservoir, which would be fed by rainwater.

 The reservoir has also proven to be an excellent backdrop for attracting

birds and has set an example for spreading awareness on water
conservation through rainwater harvesting. Also, there is harvesting pond
of 20 feet deep for Rain Water Harvesting and for animal’s plants and
different varieties of insect.

 The reservoir has proven to be beneficial in controlling floods. Spread

over an area of about 3,000 square metres with a storage capacity of 22.5
million litters, the reservoir is instrumental in saving millions of litres of
fresh water vital for the Plants, Birds, And Animals also.
THE Nakshatra Van (Garden) OF Maharashtra Nature Park
 The Nakshatra Van (Astrology Garden) is located near the education
centre. This garden has 27 trees, representing the 27 constellations of
Vedic astrology. According to the Vedas a Nakshatra, or lunar mansion,
is one of the 27 divisions of the sky, identified by the prominent stars
within them, that the moon passes through during its monthly cycle.

 Each Nakshatra is associated with a zodiac sign, which is related to

celestial bodies and their movements in the sky. The Vedic system of
astrology believes that each constellation of the zodiac is associated with
a specific species of tree. Trees such as Amla ,jackfruit, neem,
Krushnaguni,Bamboo, Nagleshan, Peopal, And Rui (Poisonous Sap)

THE NUSERY OF MAHARASTRA NATURE PARK

 The nursery is located on the west side of the park and has over 200
species of plants and about 2,00,000 saplings sectioned according to
their species.
 It includes a medicinal plants section, a fruits and vegetables section, a
flowering plants section and a vermi-compost pit.

 The nursery can be accessed directly from the nursery gate, thus
bypassing the time-consuming entry process required to access the rest of
the park.
 There is a botanical garden which has 800 species of plant, 125 species of
Birds, 1000 species of butterfly and 9 species of snakes.
THE BIODIVERSITY OF MAHARASTRA NATURE
PARK
 MNP offers a wide range of habitats from a wooded forest to an estuary
and a fresh water lake attracting numerous species of insects, butterflies,
birds, reptiles and amphibians.

THE BIRDS OF MAHARASTRA NATURE PARK

 Water birds such as the Common Redshank are only found in the Park
area, whereas water birds such as the can be found both in the estuary and
around the park’s reservoir.

 To feel the climate of this green heaven on your skin it is recommended

to reach here early in morning when the nature park is opened at 9:30 am,
and this is the time this park attracts major birds. So if you are one of
those bird watching lovers, go along with the ranger who will guide you
to the flora and faunas inside the nature park with nominal charges.

 Laughing Dove, Black kite, Greater Coucal, Shikara, Great Egret,

Eurasian Wryneck, Purple Sunbird, Little Green Bee Eater, Blue throat
and Barn swallow birds are some of those migratory birds that your can
see inside during morning and evening times.
THE REPTILIES AND AMPHIBIANS OF
MAHARASTRA NATURE PARK.

 The lake inside Mahim Nature park attracts species of water birds and
reptiles too, major species that can be seen here is Russell’s viper, Rat
snake, Indian cobra . The dangerous cobra and the green vine snake
along the lake corners quite natural since there are varieties of frogs and
insects like Chameleon, Northern house Gecko and Garden Lizards too.

 Water birds like Greater spotted eagle, Ring Necked parakeets, Asian
Pied Starling, mahratta Woodpeckers and Barn owl are some of them
seen in nature park.

Russell’s Viper
rat snake

Indian Cobra barn owl

 THE INSECTS OF MAHARASTRA NATURE PARK
 Green areas attract insect life. Insects play a vital role in distribution of
other wildlife. The erstwhile avatar of MNP (garbage dump) was a
hotspot for several species of insects.

 Jewel bugs are mainly found in this park as they are tiny bugs and live for
long years it helps decomposition of waste materials in the nature park.

 Green Butterflies are commonly found in this park as they are known as
amegreen butterflies, there is also most common species of butterfly
found in the park know as Mormon Butterfly which is black coloured
THE TREES AND PLANTS OF NATURE PARK
 There is Mogly plant which has the unique features of 4 leaves design in
the leaf of the plant, we found papaya plant which gives caster oil and
helps the nature to keep surrounding cool and pleasant.

 There is also tree known as paniphuti which is also a type of medicine for
kidney stone and also used in Ayurveda treatment, also a plant name
cantana kamera which is the nectar plant of butterfly know as home of
butterfly.

 Another plant name olden limer which likes pepper plant it is used for
adulteration of plants, also there is a plant name samosa plant which has a
different feature of smooth surface on the leaves of plant. Also there is a
plant of jungle Chikku that is Not so sweet which is used By Adivasi and
it helps in making our immunity system better.

 Adusa plant which is known as vasa plant it is uses as a medicine to

remove cough from throat and also touch me not plant used for medicine
for rabies, Akal Tara plant is also an ayurvedic plant also used in medical
purpose And Also Umbergaon, Charaita is a medicinal Plant for malaria
and Dengue patients

 There is a plant Name as Khus plant which has long grass type leaves it
makes the environment cool, Peri winkle known as pink plant is very
beautiful and also makes the environment cool. There is also Bringraj
plant which helps in hairgrowth and other medical purpose also.

 There is purple plant Flower known as Neuscuses which also have same
colour yellow white and purple resemble the lord Shiva and lord
Hanuman ji. Mogli plant are also found in this park ad also Pan futi
which is the most beautiful and has good amount of fragrance in the
leaves is also found in the nature park

 There are many Brahmi plant which is used as medicine for hair growth
and other ayurvedic purpose. Unani which is Islamic type of Ayurveda
helps to settle and heal the bones of the body.
 There is also lanta camara a unique species of plant also known as big-
sage, wild-sage, and tickberry, is a species of flowering plant within the
verbena family. Mili pili is a kind of insect which consumes Lanta
camara and makes the plant poisonous.

 Papdi plant know as Lablab is use as old domesticated pulse and multi-
purpose crop, the flowers can be eaten raw or steamed. The root can be
boiled or baked for food the seeds are used to make tofu and tempeh, the
dry preparations with green masala is often made out of these green
beans.

 In This Nature park, one can have found Sary Plant which is use as
medical purpose and used as Ayurvedic purpose also. The tridex plant
known as dagdi plant is a type Bani and used for medicines also.

 Shivjatta which is known as Bherlimadh also fish tale palm known as

aadhi supan, these trees look like lord Shiva’s hair and used for supari
also known as migraine

Papdi plant shivjata plant

The Revamp Plan
 Its 2015 and since 1983-84 more than 1.5 lakh flourished at the bank of
mithi river which is just adjacent to this park. Now the revamp plan of
this nature park is on list and the concern is that will the actual purpose of
park “To bring children near to nature” will be intact as it is till date ?.
Experts from various fields like ecosystem, Oceanography, fisheries and
Botany are working on the new revamp plan and what next can be seen if
executed successfully will be sections for fruits and trees and palms, An
Education center and a Nursery, A separate Wooden area and a section
for medicinal plants with a bird observation point at another place. Hope
the revamp add to the beauty and value of this green heaven and for
betterment of the creatures inside.
 With the revamp, the plans of setting up a ‘Mangrove Research &
Training Centre’ is in place. NGO’s and active school students have
already shown interest by planting thousands of saplings inside, So the
soon to be seen centre will have all required facilities like information on
coastal and marine life via books, Special area dedicated to study,
training and know about Mangrove nursery with experts support to the
centre inside this nature park.

Reaching MNP and Facilities Inside Address : Maharashtra

Nature Park, Next to Dharavi Bus Depot, Dharavi, Bandra Sion Link
Road, Mumbai – 400017
Land Mark : Opposite PMGP Colony.
Parking : Yes parking space is available at MNP.
Water : One must carry along enough of fresh drinking water.
Outside Food Allowed : Yes, but recommended not to carry. If Getting
along with food, Keep the park clean strictly. Carry your leftouts litters
and wastes back along.
Restroom / Toilets : Available.

Charges and Timinng - Best time for any birdwatcher to visit this park
is between October and March. MNP is open in weekdays between 9:30 am to 6
pm and the entry fees is Rs.5/- per head. If you are planning to visit on Sundays
or any national holidays you need to take prior permission and intimate them
first).
Recommended to get a Guide along for a better deeper knowledge.

 Contact number - 022-24077641 / 022-24079939 ( ISD code for India is 91)

CONCLUSION
For US, the purpose of visiting Maharashtra Nature Park is academic, where us
study only one or two aspects of the environment- plants and animals. Thus, our
awareness about the environment is restricted to these factors only. More
importance is being given to the ‘floral-faunal conservation’ aspect of the
environment. Biodiversity studies are only a tip of the iceberg that we call the
environment; there are many more aspects that should be given equal
importance especially where education is concerned.