BOOM

Trending Searches

    SUPPORT
    BOOM

    Trending News

      • Fact Check 
        • Fast Check
        • Politics
        • Business
        • Entertainment
        • Social
        • Sports
        • World
      • Law
      • Explainers
      • News 
        • All News
      • Decode 
        • Impact
        • Scamcheck
        • Life
        • Voices
      • Media Buddhi 
        • Digital Buddhi
        • Senior Citizens
        • Videos
      • Web Stories
      • BOOM Research
      • BOOM Labs
      • Deepfake Tracker
      • Videos 
        • Facts Neeti
      • Home-icon
        Home
      • About Us-icon
        About Us
      • Authors-icon
        Authors
      • Team-icon
        Team
      • Careers-icon
        Careers
      • Internship-icon
        Internship
      • Contact Us-icon
        Contact Us
      • Methodology-icon
        Methodology
      • Correction Policy-icon
        Correction Policy
      • Non-Partnership Policy-icon
        Non-Partnership Policy
      • Cookie Policy-icon
        Cookie Policy
      • Grievance Redressal-icon
        Grievance Redressal
      • Republishing Guidelines-icon
        Republishing Guidelines
      • Fact Check-icon
        Fact Check
        Fast Check
        Politics
        Business
        Entertainment
        Social
        Sports
        World
      • Law-icon
        Law
      • Explainers-icon
        Explainers
      • News-icon
        News
        All News
      • Decode-icon
        Decode
        Impact
        Scamcheck
        Life
        Voices
      • Media Buddhi-icon
        Media Buddhi
        Digital Buddhi
        Senior Citizens
        Videos
      • Web Stories-icon
        Web Stories
      • BOOM Research-icon
        BOOM Research
      • BOOM Labs-icon
        BOOM Labs
      • Deepfake Tracker-icon
        Deepfake Tracker
      • Videos-icon
        Videos
        Facts Neeti
      Trending Tags
      TRENDING
      • #Operation Sindoor
      • #Pahalgam Terror Attack
      • #Narendra Modi
      • #Rahul Gandhi
      • #Waqf Amendment Bill
      • #Arvind Kejriwal
      • #Deepfake
      • #Artificial Intelligence
      • Home
      • Life
      • Mumbai's Aarey Home To Rare Species...
      Life

      Mumbai's Aarey Home To Rare Species Of Flora And Fauna

      By - A Staff Writer |
      Published -  12 May 2015 4:16 PM IST
    • Boomlive

      Black-Naped Monarch are insectivorous birds that have short legs and sit very upright. Black-Naped Monarch are insectivorous birds that have short legs and sit very upright. (Source: Shilpi Gemawat)

      The scrapping of Development Plan 2034 has given Mumbai's Aarey Milk Colony a reprieve. Regulars share pictures of rare birds and animals found here.

      The Aarey Milk Colony in Mumbai’s western suburbs, is one of the few green spaces left in India’s densest city. Spread over 2,000 acres it's a buffer between the city and the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which is spread over 104 sq km area.

      Recently, people came together to protest against the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s plans to build a car shed for Metro Line 3 through Aarey. They claimed this would destroy 2,298 trees and impact a diverse and rich ecosystem.

      Forest Spotted Gecko are lizards found on tree branches near Royal palms in Aarey. Forest Spotted Gecko are lizards found on tree branches near Royal palms in Aarey. (Source: Zeeshan Mirza)

      Isometrus rigidulus is a one of the five species of scorpions found in Aarey. Isometrus rigidulus is a one of the five species of scorpions found in Aarey. (Source: Zeeshan Mirza)

      Ecologists say Aarey is home to 76 species of birds, 86 species of butterflies, 13 species of amphibians, 38 different types of reptiles, 19 spider species and 34 different types of wild flowers.

      Shashank Birla, a wildlife photographer, Shilpi Gemawat, a naturalist and Zeeshan Mirza, a Research Associate from The National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore have been studying the wildlife in Aarey for the last ten years. They share their pictures with BOOM.

      Gemawat says, "Aarey is a complete self sustaining ecosystem and it would be a shame to lose it to a concrete jungle. I have encountered so many other creatures in Aarey from rat snakes, cobras, pythons, a Civet Cat, many species of birds, frogs, spiders and butterflies."

      Aarey Grasslands near Picnic Point in Aarey. Aarey Grasslands near Picnic Point in Aarey. (Source: Shashank Birla)

      Asian Koel a large, long-tailed, cuckoo. Asian Koel a large, long-tailed, cuckoo. (Source: Shilpi Gemawat)

      Mirza says, "I was lucky to be born close to Aarey, which served as a virtual laboratory to explore biodiversity right at the backward. I have seen the place change a lot in the last decade and hope it remains as it is. Despite our efforts, much still remains to be documented in the area. More researchers should come together to document the biodiversity of Aarey."

      Moon Moth, a medium to large-sized moth, is found on broader leaves in Aarey's deep forests. Moon Moth, a medium to large-sized moth, is found on broader leaves in Aarey's deep forests. (Source: Zeeshan Mirza)

      Spotted Owl is a nocturnal bird but is sometimes spotted during the day when disturbed by intruders. Spotted Owl is a nocturnal bird but is sometimes spotted during the day when disturbed by intruders. (Source: Shilpi Gemawat)

      Fungoid frog, or Malabar Hills frog, is a colourful frog found on the forest floor of Aarey. Fungoid frog, or Malabar Hills frog, is a colourful frog found on the forest floor of Aarey. (Source: Shilpi Gemawat)

      Birla says, "Aarey has always been a great getaway for me on a weekend. A walk in the Panchavati gardens or a drive along the New Zealand Hostel road gives you a sense of serenity. It remains a rich source of biodiversity, supporting rare and endemic species."

      Tawny-Bellied Babbler is spotted commonly in the tall grasslands of Aarey. (Source: Shashank Birla) Tawny-Bellied Babbler is spotted commonly in the tall grasslands of Aarey. (Source: Shashank Birla)

      Strong Trapdoor Tarantula has been spotted on many tree branches in the deep forest of Aarey. Strong Trapdoor Tarantula has been spotted on many tree branches in the deep forest of Aarey. (Source: Zeeshan Mirza)

      Banded Bay Cuckoo, usually found in Aarey near the New Zealand Hostel, have a round-nostril. Banded Bay Cuckoo, usually found in Aarey near the New Zealand Hostel, has a round-nostril. (Source: Shilpi Gemawat)

      Tags

      #SaveAareyAarey Milk ColonyAnimalsBirdsBotanyDiverseFaunaFloraForestsInsectsNaturalistRare speciesResearch AssociateSave AareyWildlifeWildlife photographerZoology
      Read Full Article
      Next Story
      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker. Please reload after ad blocker is disabled.
      X

      Subscribe to BOOM Newsletters

      👉 No spam, no paywall — but verified insights.

      Please enter a Email Address
      Subscribe for free!

      Stay Ahead of Misinformation!

      Please enter a Email Address
      Subscribe Now🛡️ 100% Privacy Protected | No Spam, Just Facts
      By subscribing, you agree with the Terms & conditions and Privacy Policy connected to the offer

      Thank you for subscribing!

      You’re now part of the BOOM community.

      Or, Subscribe to receive latest news via email
      Subscribed Successfully...
      Copy HTMLHTML is copied!
      There's no data to copy!