Make the most of Mumbai rains, head to these places to spot city's flora and fauna

Mumbai is one of the few cities in the world that is blessed to have a national park within its limits But this is not the only green lung of the city mdash there are Maharashtra Nature Park and Aarey forests too These places are a treasure trove of natural beauty and hotspots of a thriving biodiversity In the monsoon especially these places should be a mustvisit to enjoy nature to soak in the fabulous views and spot some wildlife that is here for a short sojourn Three naturalists tell us where to go to spot theseForest ghost flowers Pic CourtesyNaman KajiBiodiversity in the cityWeevil Pic CourtesyNaman KajiAlthough surrounded by a concrete jungle the city has a few places where people can go on nature trails and spend some quality lsquogreenrsquo time The beginning of monsoon is a relief not just for us but for our neighbours residing in the forests as well Ephemerals like rock dipcadi tender ceropegia forest ghost flower or Indian broomrape and tallshield orchid bloom But be quick because they will only be spotted for some days Birds albeit difficult to spot in the green canopy can be heard throughout the day And donrsquot miss out the amazing biodiversity of reptiles insects and fungi present all around you mdash cremnoconchus conicus sawscaled viper blackbacked dwarf kingfisher and shuttlecock fungi So protect yourself with a raincoat and explore the amazing biodiversity of Sanjay Gandhi National Park SGNP and Conservation Education Centre in Goregaon And why just these places Look out for an odd weevil or a leaftoed gecko on a tree right outside your homeNaman Kaji communications officer Last Wilderness FoundationItrsquos a forest out hereBamboo Pit Viper Pic CourtesyRahulratan ChauhanNature is all around you and you will be surprised that sometimes you can just look in your backyards for little creepy crawlies that come outside when it starts pouring Take some time to explore your gardens or parks in your neighbourhood and you might spot a variety of mushrooms popping up like veiled lady cup deadmanrsquos finger and bracket For a quick trail you can visit Maharashtra Nature Park Karnala Bird Sanctuary and Aarey forests which are good places to spot buff striped keelback snake hill turmeric spiral ginger cup and saucer flower oriental dwarf kingfisher common Indian toad fungoid frog and bamboo pit viper snakeRahulratan Chauhan freelance naturalistVeiled lady mushroom Pic CourtesyRahulratan Chauhan right RahulratanNature at its best Monsoon is a wonderful time to be out there in the forests and Mumbaikars are fortunate that we have an excellent resource for this in the form of SGNP Head out for short and even long trails inside the park with naturalists who will unravel the natural world and get an handson introduction to the various insects plants reptiles amphibians and the rich buffet of biodiversity that is now on offer Therersquos an array of mushrooms caterpillars frogs calotes and spidersShardul Bajikar naturalist Sanjay Gandhi National ParkSign up for theseCremnoconchus conicus Pic CourtesyNaman Kaji Monsoon trek to the highest point of Mumbai SGNPOn July 30 Time 645 amLog on to sanjaygandhinationalparkCost Rs 1000 Salim Ali Point Trail CEC Goregaon East On July 30Time 8 amLog on to bnhsorgCost Rs 700 Trail at Maharashtra Nature Park MahimOn Everyday except bank holidaysLog on to maharashtranatureparkorgCost Rs 500 plus entry fees Monsoon walk at Nagla Block SGNPOn August 19 Time 715 amLog on to sanjaygandhinationalparkCost Rs 450 Shilonda Trail SGNPOn August 20Time 645 amCall 9987675556Cost Rs 900 Monsoon walk at Yeoor ManpadaOn 27 August Time 715 amLog on to sanjaygandhinationalparkCost Rs 450 Monsoon walk at Kashimira SGNPOn 12 August Time 645 am Log on to sanjaygandhinationalparkCost Rs 600