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Earlier this week, the Maharashtra Nature Park Society (MNPS), under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), launched a lineup of eco-centric events to celebrate both Earth Day and the park's Foundation Day. Spread over 37 acres, this park, once a landfill, has become a hub of biodiversity and nature education. Highlights included a birdwatching tour, a guided nature walk, a wildlife photography exhibition, and a street play on endangered species. Starting this week, 500 saplings are also being distributed to promote household-level greening under the "One Family - One Plant" initiative.
To commemorate both Earth Day and the Foundation Day of Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP), the Maharashtra Nature Park Society (MNPS), in collaboration with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), rolled out a series of eco-conscious public events earlier this week. These nature-centric initiatives were held under the leadership of Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee (IAS), Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA. Advertisement
The 37-acre Maharashtra Nature Park, nestled near the Mithi River, has evolved from a former dumping ground into a lush biodiversity zone. It now shelters over 125 species of birds, 85 butterfly species, 384 plant varieties, and a wide array of reptiles and insects. The park has been meticulously organised into nature trails and themed sections designed to offer educational experiences and raise environmental awareness.
Earth Day is observed globally every year in April, and it also marks the Foundation Day of MNP, which opened to the public in 1994 on the same day. Celebrating this dual significance, MNPS organised a mix of events on two separate days this week.
The activities began with a birdwatching tour, held in the early morning, where participants got to spot native species such as the Paradise Flycatcher, Kingfisher, Indian Robin, and Tailorbird. This session gave nature enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the park's rich avian diversity within an urban setting.
Following that, a guided nature walk was organised to give visitors a deeper understanding of the park's transformation. Participants were taken through Nakshatra Van-a zone themed around zodiac-linked plants-and introduced to the ecological significance of butterflies, medicinal flora, and other wildlife. The walk also shed light on the park's journey from a degraded landscape to a thriving ecological sanctuary, thanks to MMRDA's efforts.
On another day this week, the park hosted a wildlife photography exhibition in its art gallery, showcasing around 150 curated images from established wildlife photographers. The exhibit covered diverse themes, including reptiles, marine ecosystems, native flora, birds, and butterflies, offering a vivid glimpse into India's rich biodiversity.
Adding an educational twist to the event line-up, students from Rishi Valmiki Eco School presented a street play that focused on conservation efforts for the Great Indian Bustard (Maldhok), a critically endangered bird species native to India.
One of the week's most actionable initiatives is a free sapling distribution campaign, which kicked off earlier this week and will continue for the next few days. Under the theme "One Family - One Plant," MNPS plans to distribute 500 saplings, including medicinal, forest, ornamental, and flowering species. The goal is to foster greenery at the household level amidst rising urban density.
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee highlighted the vital role of green spaces like Maharashtra Nature Park in safeguarding biodiversity in fast-growing urban environments. He noted that such events encourage the public to reconnect with nature and are essential for steering society toward environmental consciousness and long-term sustainability..
MMRDA and MNPS are fostering a culture of responsibility and sustainability reminding Mumbai's citizens that even small patches of green can breathe new life into an otherwise concrete landscape.
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