With the monsoon arriving on time and generously drenching Mumbai, the city and its outer limits look fresh and green and offers plenty for nature enthusiasts. For those who love nothing more than to go off the beaten track and explore hidden nooks and corners, there are many options available in and around the city.
With institutions like the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Maharashtra Nature Park organising nature trails, the new trend has been to explore the green cover within the city itself.
Atul Sathe, spokesperson for the BNHS extols the virtues of the monsoon, saying it’s the best time to celebrate nature’s beauty. “The nature trails are meant to instill a sense of responsibility and concern for the environment. Many people wish to get the most out of the lush greenery and nature in its full glory,” says Sathe.
The BNHS organises nature trails and walks to the Borivali National Park and within its campus as well. Every nature trail includes a plant and bird expert who explains the biodiversity seen along the way. On weekends, they take trips to places on the outskirts of the city like Tungareshwar, Uran and Sewree.
Most of these nature trails are organised on a group basis, with different batches going off throughout the year, although the demand peaks during the monsoon. Engineering graduate Abhishek Shiwalkar reminisces about his college days when he would go trekking with his gang very frequently. “Ours was a huge gang of 10 to 12 people, and we would often go trekking to the Borivali National Park for small one-day trips just to take a break from the mundane stuff,” he says.
The Maharashtra Nature Park aka Mahim Nature Park organises one-day trips for school children and also has training programmes for teachers. “We normally host three-hour walk sessions across the park and observe various kinds of species and foliage around with subject experts,” says Bipin Joshi, programme officer at the Maharashtra Nature Park.
For nature enthusiast Pooja Shah, it is all about soaking in the pleasure of the greenery around. “I love the way the rain washes away the dirt paths that are used constantly to get to the top of the mountains. So you get a chance to create your own path and find your own way to the top. It’s a thrill and an adventure to do that. As long as you’re prepared to be soaked for a good few hours, nature trails in monsoons are absolutely amazing,” says Shah.