Sahyadrica

I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least – and it is commonly more than that – sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements.   – Henry David Thoreau, Walking A storm is coming What wind brought me here I know not. Was it the scent that it carried, the call of the wild; that indescribable – insatiable – scent of nature, that bellowing – singing – of her children. I ask myself this. And I come to agree that it is this and more. However it was wrought not in my mind although I cherished learning it. It was born in my heart (and it is funny I say this because I’m fully aware my heart is just a muscle, and it is from my brain that these words flow). I haven’t found the answer yet, but I seek it. I am however no seeker of treasure nor tiger. Do I seek solace then, companionship, solitude, a mere fantasy? Do I seek to escape from the iron cold fists of the city? Do I...

This is the roundup of some observations made during the second month of this bountiful season. To avoid the overdose of pictures and text, I’m going to write this in two parts. On July 2nd, WWF-India MSO had organized a trail at Jijamata Udyan (formerly Victoria Gardens) for kids. I and a few friends tagged along to explore the urban fauna, and surprisingly, none of the fauna here is urban in their habitat, but almost strictly natural – and this is what drew us to this, ironically, lost paradise. I am not just talking about wildlife caged for education (and entertainment for some), but the ones that are very free to roam inside and out of the cages. Jijamata Udyan is not just a zoo; it is a sanctuary of many trees that are found nowhere else in Mumbai, including some exotics such as the Baobabs and some rare endemic Ficus species. Getting to know these trees was a bonus of this visit, because I mainly focused on the lesser known fauna of this zoo, and this zoo harbours some amazing...