MUMBAI’S LOST WORLD – Our rivers need a lifeline
by Sunjoy Monga – a naturalist-photographer
L ast time, we saw how every little river in Mum bai has been subjected to every imaginable form of abuse in the concrete jungle. Our rivers have become a classic example of modern apathy towards what has been traditionally considered as one of the most revered aspects of nature and as our lifeline.
Ironically, our ravaged rivers also epitomise nature’s indomitable fighting spirit. While lakes and ponds are magnets for wildlife, several life forms have taken to living around and along moving waters too, reptiles, mammals, birds, insects, fish, crustaceans and plants, are still seen in most rivers. Unbelievable it may sound, but these life forms are still seen on and along
the stinking, polluted rivers in Mumbai proper and on the marginally cleaner rivers around Mumbai.
Not all are strictly aquatic creatures, and several live alongside river courses just to make the most of hunting opportunities. Life on and along a river can also be considered indicative of a society’s attitude.
A thriving population of birds like kingfishers and herons can suggest reasonably clean waters with a good number of fish and frogs. Even in present-times, over 30 varieties of birds have been seen by riversides in Mumbai.
Birds are still seen around Mumbai’s rivers as they have a very weak-developed olfactory sense.Swallows still migrate from several thousand kilometers to hunt for insects
over these waters, as do fidgety wagtails and the odd kingfisher. The raucous cries of the waterhen still ring over some of the waterside stretches.
The situation, however, is not good at all when it comes to mammals, fish and reptiles.
There are hardly any larger species of mammals seen outside the National Park, while a few rodents and bats live on the watersides, as also the last of the mongoose and jungle cats.
The riverside reptile clan too has been much decimated and among these, the
most likely to be seen are the odd Checkered Keelback snake as also a couple
of varieties of sea snakes nearer to the rivermouths, in the creeks.
Insects, crabs and their ilk, the numerous aquatic plants – the riverside is a study of the trials of life, each species displaying remarkable character to cope with the elements.
Isn’t it amazing that for mankind, a species whose evolutionary tale has largely revolved around these moving waters, that we have merely created filth all along the length of our rivers?
And this, in spite of the fact that prices of real estate around waterfronts is astronomical. It’s only the last flicker of life around them that offers some hope.Besides the three rivers, there are several other small rivers around Mumbai.Nearly all begin in the Sahyadris or associated mountain ranges; most are the overflow or tailgate waters of the large reservoirs on the Lonavala plateau.
(Sunjoy Monga is a natu ralist-photographer writing in every fortnight on the birds and bees and a lot else ) Rivers around Mumbai ¦ Ulhas river: begins in Sahyadris over Karjat ¦ Gadhi river: near Panvel ¦ Tansa river: below Tungareshwar ¦ Vaitarna river: near Silent Hills Resort, Manor ¦ Deheraja river: near Vikramgadh ¦ Pej river: near Bhivpuri, Karjat area ¦
Patalganga river: near Khopoli and Karnala Bird Sanctuary
Publication: HT; Section: Metro; Pg:3; Date:15/1/07
URL :
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=15_01_2007_004_018&typ=0&pub=264