Once upon a time, there were three hill stations that offered Mumbaikars respite from the heat, pollution and crowds. These clean, green and panoramic escapes that nestled in the Western Ghats, were within convenient reach too. But soon, the scenic trio — Matheran, Khandala and Lonavla — began to lose their charm.

Mindless, unplanned development and greedy commercial interests took over. Nobody seemed to care about this slide. Today, the hills that stand silent spectator to these one-time getaways are the lone constant of this transformation.