Visit Aarey Forest to plant rice and learn about old farming practices

A group of children during a visit

For most city residents, rice is something picked up during a regular grocery run. This monsoon, however, participants can discover the journey behind every grain by stepping into the paddy fields of Aarey Colony alongside the tribal communities that have cultivated the land for generations.

Guests explore the Aarey Forest during a previous session. Pics Courtesy/Naturalist Explorers

Masira Shaikh, nature and cultural curator at Naturalist Explorers, explains, "Bhaat Laavni, meaning rice planting, takes attendees on a 30 to 45-minute guided walk through the forest to a tribal hamlet, where they learn about the Warli, Konkana, Katkari, and Malhar communities, their homes, orchards and way of life." The tradition particularly takes place during the monsoon, when steady rainfall creates waterlogged paddy fields, allowing young Kolam rice saplings to be transplanted before they mature into a full crop.

Rekha Tai, a resident, with some saplings before plantation

Before entering the fields, participants will be welcomed by Shalu tai (Shalu Pathare) with a traditional meal served on banana leaves. The spread includes bamboo sabzi, ambadi, pitla, bhakri, alu vadi, and gavran chaha, (village-style tea); every element is prepared on a stove using ingredients from their own backyards. The experience concludes in the paddy fields, where attendees learn to transplant Kolam rice.

A traditional meal with Bhakri, Pitla, Thecha, Aluvadi, and Dal

"Bhaat Laavni is much more than planting rice. It is a way of understanding how Adivasi communities live with the forest, depend on the monsoon and work together to grow food," adds Shaikh.

A resident of the hamlet guides participants during the planting

On August 2 (Every Saturday); 8 am
Meeting point Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon East.
Log on to urbanaut.app
Cost Rs 997 (all inclusive)

How to plant rice perfectly

A step-by-step guide to planting rice:

Kolam rice seeds

>> Kick off your shoes: Leave your footwear behind. The muddy paddy is so soft that even gumboots get stuck, so being barefoot is best.

>> One at a time: Pick a single Kolam rice sapling from the bunch.

>> Thumbs down: Hold the sapling upside down with your thumb pointing towards the ground.

>> Make your mark: Use your thumb to make a hole about three inches deep.

>> Plant with precision: Place the sapling into the hole and press the mud around it to keep it upright.

>> Keep it in line: Plant them in straight, evenly spaced rows.

>> Step back, literally: Move backwards to avoid stepping on freshly-planted saplings.

>> Follow the experts: Tribal women will guide participants through every step, sharing techniques refined over generations.