Sunday at Salim Ali point

This Sunday was another memorable day to conclude after whole weeks exhausting work exercise. As the days build up, amidst this fast forward world full of competition and race against time, it’s getting more and more traumatic. With little space around, juggle between study and work has been a task getting tougher. A hope that “this shall too pass” and the days after would be brighter has kept me strong and fighting. But a Sunday in the wilderness is always enough. The forest takes in all stress and grants a huge relief every time.
I planned a visit to CEC, the Conservation Education Centre of BNHS sandwiched between Borivili National Park and Film City. I have been visiting this place since past 5 years and as a result know almost each and every piece of this land. Being such confident and comfortable about this place I prefer to splurge my good time here. 

Almost a dull afternoon with little sun around, I started for Salim Ali point, about 30 minutes trek from CEC building. Forest always shows its distinct beauty no matter how many times you visit the same place again and again.

This evening was another engrossing event on this trail. Welcomed by the beautiful sight Small blue Kingfisher and Scaly Breasted Munia I knew I will definitely have a great time. The Moon moth ahead made my day. Nature is very magnificent and mysterious and this principle gets stronger each time I come across life forms evolved and adapted to perfection. The Comman nawab caterpillar is one such appearance. The animal is strangely so inconspicuous with such near-perfect carved survival skill of camouflaging; absolutely a match to the leaf of its habitat, the Acacia catechu (Kattha tree). The beauty of this animal cannot be described in words.

As I walked ahead clicking as many pictures I could, a peacock crossing the forest road in its full gait was further addition to enthralling trip.

Lots of things to see and lots of things to be passionate about. The Owl moth, the Yellow Orange tip butterfly, the Oakleaf, the Giant wood spider; almost everything of forest is stunning and inspirational. 

Finally walking through the wonderful wilderness thicket I reached Salim AliPoint. I could see Vihar Lake from there.


Sitting for a while, I thought about lot of things.

The Global warming agendas are repeatedly made and amended but still nothing has yet reached to the hearts and heads of common man. Environment Education industry budding up like any other business but still not reaching those more than 75% kids who study in Municipal schools and don’t have any access…EIAs made compulsory, public hearing obligatory, but still the whole thing going haywire, like child’s play; with negligible authenticity proposals are passed crushing all hopes and means of wildlife survival. Whole policymaking process is still much away from the accomplishment, understanding and requirement of much affected common man. Environment Policy making is still worse better not to think about. Forest department lacks funds, passionate people lack opportunities, Common man lacks awareness, Students lack quality education, NGOs lack proper management and Mother Nature lacking recuperation space and time. There can be lot to be cynical about, I understand that somewhere we should be positive and expect the best outcome.

But, practically there is no scope for development and success, unless and until we provide revision towards at least 3 very basic and much required things for the Environment Conservation Movement.
1. Transparent and justifiable policy making process and genuine subject oriented policy makers.
2. Authentic, Reliable, Lawful, un-influenced Environment Impact Assessment process with existing emphasis on public hearing and EIA reports.
3. Free Environment Education for majority of municipal school students and other required people who cannot afford to pay the growing environment education trade. It is the environment education quality on which is dependent the message that will go across the masses generating the much desired consciousness.

Exploring wide range of thoughts I realized about the passing time. The sun was going faint. I had to respect wilderness and leave the place. Thus I left and within 45 minutes returned back to the fast as usual life with replenished vigor to carry on with another working week.

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