A symposium in Lonavala will highlight how the Western Ghats are changing, and how it can be protected

A view of the venue in Lonavala. Pics/Shadab Khan

The monsoons have traditionally been a time for Mumbaikars to head to the hills. Dating back to the 19th Century, the towns of Lonavala and Khandala have been escapes for urban residents tired of the dreary days. Yet, in July 2026, Lonavala witnessed over 670 mm of rainfall within the span of 24-hours - its highest density in history.

For Pushan Kripalani, director, Abbey 301, it made the decision to host Conservation/Conversation all the more imminent. "The abbey lives on the hill, which has witnessed its worst rainfall in the last 1000 years. There are global factors, but also local factors [to this]," he shares.

The symposium this weekend, the first of its series, will open conversations around the need to address this subject. "We are a centre for conversation, if nothing else. It is important for us to involve both activism and people with ownership, metaphorical and literal, to participate in these local issues. If we can push for local change, it could evolve into systemic change," Kripalani adds.

With the Lonavala Municipal Commissioner on the invitee list, the sessions will witness talks, discussions, and film screenings with names such as Dr Anish Andheria, Praneet Goteti, filmmaker Sumanth Kuduvalli, Aparna Watve and Manasi Karandikar participating.

Opened in January 2026, this will be the first such panel symposium at the venue, which was shaped for performances and theatre

For Kripalani, bringing together these diverse voices is a responsibility incumbent on an artistic and cultural platform. "The question we have to ask is if we do wish to continue to live the way we do, how do we adapt ourselves? It is a way to cobble together an idea of mutual responsibility," he sums up.

Pushan Kripalani

From the conservationist's diary

Climate change is a real demon, and a man-made one. Every mountain area, whether it is in Maharashtra, Wayanad, Nepal, or Uttarakhand, has witnessed extremely difficult situations. People always aspire for a second home in the mountains, and are moving into the storm. The Ghats are the oldest mountain ranges around us. But the addition of large buildings, and roads, cut into the gradients, are making them fragile.

Pic Courtesy/X

Thus, it is important for the community to know that if they do love this place, and wish to protect it, there have to be some charters in place. The conversation will focus on these points, and on the general nature of man-animal conflict that it induces as well.

Dr Anish Andheria, CEO, Wildlife Conservation Trust

ON September 19; 11 am onwards
AT Abbey 301, near Athiva Resort and Spa, Lonavala.
LOG ON TO abbey301.org (to register)
ENTRY Rs 500 onwards