Make the most of Mumbai rains, head to these places to spot city's flora and fauna

Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher. Pic Courtesy/Pranav Joshi

Mumbai is one of the few cities in the world that is blessed to have a national park within its limits. But this is not the only green lung of the city - there are Maharashtra Nature Park and Aarey forests too. These places are a treasure trove of natural beauty and hotspots of a thriving biodiversity. In the monsoon especially, these places should be a must-visit to enjoy nature, to soak in the fabulous views and spot some wildlife that is here for a short sojourn. Three naturalists tell us where to go to spot these.

Forest ghost flowers. Pic Courtesy/Naman Kaji

Biodiversity in the city

Weevil. Pic Courtesy/Naman Kaji

Although surrounded by a concrete jungle, the city has a few places where people can go on nature trails and spend some quality ‘green' time. The beginning of monsoon is a relief not just for us, but for our neighbours residing in the forests as well. Ephemerals like rock dipcadi, tender ceropegia, forest ghost flower or Indian broomrape and tall-shield orchid bloom. But be quick because they will only be spotted for some days. Birds albeit difficult to spot in the green canopy can be heard throughout the day. And don't miss out the amazing biodiversity of reptiles, insects and fungi present all around you - cremnoconchus conicus, saw-scaled viper, black-backed dwarf kingfisher and shuttlecock fungi. So protect yourself with a raincoat and explore the amazing biodiversity of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and Conservation Education Centre in Goregaon. And why just these places? Look out for an odd weevil or a leaf-toed gecko on a tree right outside your home.

Naman Kaji, communications officer, Last Wilderness Foundation

It's a forest out here

Bamboo Pit Viper. Pic Courtesy/Rahulratan Chauhan

Nature is all around you and you will be surprised that sometimes you can just look in your backyards for little creepy crawlies that come outside when it starts pouring. Take some time to explore your gardens or parks in your neighbourhood and you might spot a variety of mushrooms popping up like veiled lady, cup, deadman's finger and bracket. For a quick trail, you can visit Maharashtra Nature Park, Karnala Bird Sanctuary and Aarey forests; which are good places to spot buff striped keelback snake, hill turmeric, spiral ginger, cup and saucer flower, oriental dwarf kingfisher, common Indian toad, fungoid frog and bamboo pit viper snake.

Rahulratan Chauhan, freelance naturalist

Veiled lady mushroom. Pic Courtesy/Rahulratan Chauhan; (right Rahulratan

Nature at its best

Monsoon is a wonderful time to be out there in the forests, and Mumbaikars are fortunate that we have an excellent resource for this in the form of SGNP. Head out for short and even long trails inside the park with naturalists, who will unravel the natural world and get an hands-on introduction to the various insects, plants, reptiles, amphibians and the rich buffet of biodiversity that is now on offer. There's an array of mushrooms, caterpillars, frogs, calotes and spiders.

Shardul Bajikar, naturalist, Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Sign up for these

Cremnoconchus conicus. Pic Courtesy/Naman Kaji

. Monsoon trek to the highest point of Mumbai, SGNP
On July 30 Time 6.45 am
Log on to @sanjaygandhinationalpark
Cost Rs 1,000

. Salim Ali Point Trail, CEC, Goregaon East
On July 30
Time 8 am
Log on to bnhs.org
Cost Rs 700

. Trail at Maharashtra Nature Park, Mahim
On Everyday (except bank holidays)
Log on to maharashtranaturepark.org
Cost Rs 500 (plus entry fees)

. Monsoon walk at Nagla Block, SGNP
On August 19

Time 7.15 am
Log on to @sanjaygandhinationalpark
Cost Rs 450

. Shilonda Trail, SGNP
On August 20
Time 6.45 am
Call 9987675556
Cost Rs 900

. Monsoon walk at Yeoor, Manpada
On 27 August
Time 7.15 am
Log on to @sanjaygandhinationalpark
Cost Rs 450

. Monsoon walk at Kashimira, SGNP
On 12 August
Time 6.45 am
Log on to @sanjaygandhinationalpark
Cost Rs 600