Pahadi Tales

Pahadi Tale 

Bhai Prakash Shroff has enticed me to write about flora fauna of Pahadi which now loosely covers Dindoshi, Infinity IT Park and the entire area of Aarey colony in the Goregaon Suburb . This area roughly covers 17 square km of greenery in the middle of concrete structures unimaginable in any other metro city in India. 

I am a part of the group called Hill Walkers and keep exploring the entire forest. Some of our group members have minute details of jungle eco system. You will be surprised that they have developed strong sense of smell over time that they can easily spot the shit of leopard or Bibtya and tell when exactly he was on that spot. And from my own experience,  I can proudly say that this kind of jungle is simply unthinkable in any other urban space. I will also add that this space is under constant threat from poaching, encroachment of greedy land grabbers, developers, builders and vested interest individuals. 

Pahadi is having variety of flora and fauna. In spite of the vast variety of wildlife, the leopards are the most famous residents of Aarey. Any developmental activity is going to endanger the different species, especially the ones unique to Aarey.

The recent discovery of a species of jumping spider at Aarey Colony, 122 years after it was first spotted in Burma( now called Myanmar) , brought back the attention to Mumbai’s green lungs.

Do not get surprised to see my long list of what is there in my Pahadi : 

More than 70 different birdlife species.

90 different types of spiders.

5 species of Tarantula.

6 species of scorpions.

86 species of butterflies – Plain tiger, striped tiger, common crow, chocolate pansy, common mormon to name a few.

6 species of venomous snakes.

Caeciliaus, rare amphibian discovered at the interior part of Aarey colony.

10 rarest species of birds are also there found in Pahadi area viz., 

Hoopoe

Indian Roller

Indian Blackbird

Grey Hornbill

Chestnut trail Starlings

Rosy Starlings

Glossy Ibis

Loten’s Sunbird

Spotted Owlets

Orange headed ground thrush. 

The area also boasts of leopard, spotted deer, rusty-spotted cat, jungle cat, palm civet, small Indian civet, Indian mongoose. It also has jackal, wild boar, Indian Palm Squirrel, Bonnet Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, common Langur, flying fox and common Bats. 

Aarey is home to not only the aforementioned birds and animals but also to 27 tribal communities , their  survival is also under threat. Come and study the lifestyle of these tribals who are totally reliant on forest eco-system. These tribes face a constant pressure of relocating from their homes.

Film City, one of the country’s largest studio complexes, is located in the Pahad area , it is an extensive valley.  Two Film City roads, which are just 300 metres from the SGNP’s boundary, have become a crossover for leopards moving between the park and the nearby Aarey Colony.

During rainy season, If you visit this area, you will find many falls and ponds also, we may talk about them on some other time.

Pahadi is proud to be the harbinger of milk revolution that will be covered in another post. New Zealand hostel is the mute spectator of the process.