Come face to face with Mumbai’s marine treasures at an expert-led trail at Juhu beach
Rock anemone
The news of Taraporewala Aquarium shutting down permanently was disheartening for this writer. After all, it was one of the few links to witness the city’s abundant marine life up close. Hence, when we came across a marine walk to be held at Juhu Beach on Sunday, we were tempted to know more. “We’re hosting a trail like this for the first time,” shares Farhin Shaikh (below), co-founder of the organising group Wandering Leaf. “Our nature trails began post pandemic, when a group of wildlife enthusiasts came together to explore what the city has to offer. Soon, others started expressing their interest in joining us. What started as a passion slowly turned into expert-led walks,” she tells us about their journey.
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Pearly sea anemone
While Shaikh is an avian enthusiast, and leads their bird watching trails, two other naturalists will lead the marine walk. “I have visited Juhu beach with them twice, and it’s one of the best locations for a beginner-friendly marine walk because it has both a rocky and a sandy shore,” she tells us.
Giving us a sneak peek into the walk, she adds that like all their other trails, this one too will begin with elaborate safety guidelines. They will then move on to the sandy shore, which houses different types of shells and egg cases that indicate the presence of various marine animals. “There will be clams, turbo shells, razor shells, hermit crabs, mermaid’s purse that may have washed up on the shore and other animals that tend to burrow themselves in the sand,” she informs us, adding that this will be followed by a walk near the rocky shore, which will house various sponges, sea anemones, barnacles attached to the substrate of the rocks, corals and other small fish that find a home in the small pools created in the between these rocks. “There is also a chance of spotting octopuses here. We have seen an arm before momentarily, and hopefully, if the group is lucky, we’ll witness this again,” she says.
Red porcelain crab at the beach
This one and a half-kilometer walk will end with a lesson on conservation. “Excess tourism is leading to a loss of habitat for these animals that otherwise thrive on the shorelines of Mumbai. Often, people spot a creature like an anemone or sponge on these rocks and rip them out from the substrates without much knowledge. Then, there is the oil spill which is one of the major threats to the species that live in the intertidal zones. We will inform participants about the importance of conservation by first introducing them to the marine life of Mumbai, and later, to the threats they face,” Shaikh signs off.
On: October 29; 4 pm onwards
Meeting point: Near the Shivaji Statue, Ramada Plaza, Juhu Beach
Log on to: @_wanderingleaf
Call: 8104593213
Cost: Rs 500
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