Step into the forests of Aarey with this unique walk that explores the nature and culture of Mumbai’s greens as the day wanes
A sight of a fruit-piercing moth caterpillar
They say the jungle truly comes alive as the day wanes. The Twilight Nature Trail by Naturalist Explorers was started to explore this very facet of the natural world. The trail offers evening nature walks through the city’s largest urban forest — Aarey. Masira Shaikh, nature and cultural curator, says, “Most nature trails are scheduled early in the morning, and many people are not keen to wake up early on a weekend. That is why we start our trails by 4 pm.” But that is not the only reason. Shaikh adds, “Insects are usually more active, birds are easily spotted, and the temperature of the forest is comparatively more pleasant; especially during the post-monsoon season.”
Attendees standing under an exotic Rain tree
The trail will pass through Vanicha Pada, one of 27 tribal hamlets within the forest during its two-kilometre-long sojourn. The group, led by the experts, will often stop to observe plants closely, listen to stories, and learn about the creatures of the forest. “Native trees sit alongside plantations introduced when the land was taken over by the government. The difference is easy to spot. Plantations stand in neat rows, while the forest grows freely, with vines, overlapping branches, and is home to more birds,” replied Shaikh.
A child squeezing a Tanoli berry to demonstrate that it could be used as a natural colour. Pics courtesy/Naturalist Explorers
There are exotic species as well, such as the Rat Poison tree, scientifically known as Gliricidia (as its seeds, bark, and leaves contain toxins used traditionally as rodenticides), alongside native plants that attract butterflies and birds. There are jackfruits, mango, papaya, coconut, and hibiscus as well as some medicinal plants that also grow near fruit trees planted by the community.
Warli painting on the walls of tribal hutment in Vanicha Pada
“We will also pass houses made with mud and bricks, and some painted with Warli art. Most residents here are Warli tribals, with smaller numbers of Katkari and Konkana tribal groups as well,” explained Shaikh. She also mentions how a small shrine built around a sacred rock marks a spiritual stop on the trail. The residents also believe the spirit of the protector is inside the rock. Participants will also be familiarised with the fact that nature worship runs deep here. “Big cats, forests, and farming cycles are part of daily belief; however, climate change has disrupted this balance especially with unseasonal rain that destroyed nearly half the rice crop,” says Shaikh.
A fruit of Sterculia tree
The walk curator concludes by saying, “This nature trail is not just a walk, it is more of a cultural dive into the cultural aspects of Aarey Colony and a peek into the life of the communities that live around.”
Masira Shaikh shows children a Bagworm Moth Case on a previous nature trail
TILL January 17; 3.45 pm onwards
MEETING POINT New Zealand Hostel, Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon.
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