Aarey Colony

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Grass field

Overview

Aarey Forest (also known as Aarey Milk Colony and Aarey Colony) is an urban, unclassed and degraded forest which is within the eco sensitive zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It is classified as mixed moist deciduous type forest. It àcts as a buffer between Sanjay Gandhi National Park and City. Being one of the few green spaces (spread over 2000acres) left in Mumbai. On 3rd approximate of 600acres, as a reserved forest.

Aarey forest (Bird view)

Flora & Fauna

Aarey Forest has many species of wildlife and insects, butterflies and birds, it has atleast 86 species.of trees and 22 species of birds. A recent report submitted to the state highlights the rich biodiversity inside Aarey. There are about 290 species of wildlife in Aarey forest including 5 such species of Animals which feature in the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These Vulnerable animals include leopards, Rusty spotted cat, sambar deer, Alexandrine Parakeet and Red_Wattled Lapwings.

Sambar deer
Rusty spotted Cat
Alexandrine Parakeet

Aarey is known to have potential to show human-leopard coexistence in an urban setting. There are 4 adult female named Adarsh Nagar, Bindu, Chandani and Luna. An RTI has revealed that from 2016-2018, seven leopard was saved. While Aarey has been infamous for leopard attacks, research by Centre for wildlife studies revealed that leopards are actually afraid of humans and highlighted that poor garbage disposal and newly released leopards in a same environment have caused attack.

Leopard

Aarey has been an unexplored and understudied area. Environmental researchers found two new jumping spiders in 2017 Langelurillus onyx and Langelurillus lacteus.

Aarey Tribes

There are around 27 Tribes hamlets known as Padas in Marathi and other smaller hamlets in Aarey some of Tribes that the original inhabitants belongs to are Katkaris, Mahadev Kolis, Mallar Kolis and Warlis. The tribals in the area Farms and cultivate various fruits and vegetables. Among other which are the sold in markets for a livelihood. They have suffered on account of basic amenities not provided by the government and also the rapid degradation of the forest and drive to displace tribals has impacted their sustainable lifestyle and means of livelihood.

Below are the tribes

  1. Keltipada
  2. Damupada
  3. Chafyachapada
  4. Naushachapada
  5. Futkyachapada
  6. Nimbarpada
  7. Prajapurpadas
  8. Vaanichapada
  9. Bhurikhanpada
  10. Khadakpada
  11. Gaondevipada
  12. Habalpada
  13. Devipada
  14. Saibangodapada
  15. Maroshipasa
  16. Chandra devpada
  17. Jivachapada
  18. Morachapada
  19. Ultanpada
  20. Navapada

Aarey as Archaeological site

In the Mumbai-Salsette exploration project, BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) and CEMS (Centre for extra mural studies) have found relics, tribal artefacts dating back to the Shilahara Dynasty/ Sheelar Yadav Period (765-1029 AD) in Aarey. These findings threw new light on Aarey as an archaeological site and having significant historical and cultural importance. Aarey milk Colony at Goregaon East was established in 1949 and in 1951 the dairy at Aarey was inaugurated by the then Prime minister PANDIT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU, the colony was vision of Mr Dara khurody a pioneer of dairy sector who shared the ‘1963’ ramson Magsaysay Award with Dr Verghese kurien for revolitionizing the processing and marketing of milk in Mumbai.

Lake of Chotta Kashmir

Aarey forest includes 12 villages, Sai Gundgav, Film city, Royal Palm, Dindoshi, Aarey, Pahadi Goregaon, Maroshi etc. In 1977 around 200ha of ground was carved out from Aarey village to establish Film city. The colony Is spread over 16km(6 sq mi) and is located off the western Express Highway, among the popular attractions in Aarey are Chotta Kashmir with a lake and a picnic spot. Aarey also have gardens, nursery, lakes and observation.pavilion, picnic facility, milk plants, 16000 catlle are reared on 1287ha of land (3180 acres) of land and 32 cattle farms.

Chota Kashmir lake

Bangoda

This place name bangoda is very popular for its weekends enjoyment, place is between the lake full of surrounded water and beautified by trees, The lake which can be enjoyed is called Powai lake, lake contains 1000 species of different animals, it also the source of water. Villagers practice fishing in the lake, during rainy season lake is to dangerous for swimming or boating.

Morning view of Bangoda

During night this place is unsafe to travel or to stay because of wild animals like leopard and crocodile(muggar).

Ownership pattern

The Aarey Milk Colony occupies a total area of 3,166 acres (1,281ha) of land out of which the area available for cultivation of quality fodder and grasses is 400acres (160ha) only. Land is also leased out to various organizations and institutions of Maharashtra State Government and Central Government of India.

  • Total land given to Central Government of India institutions (Central Poultry Farm, Modern Bakery, NDDB, RBI)-229.92
  • Total land given to the Maharashtra State Government Institutions (Mumbai veterinary College, SRP, MHADA, MCGB, Film City, Fishery)-729.12
  • Area under road and buildings-460.00
  • Area uncultivated and waste land under nullahs, lake, farm bunds, farm roads, river channels-1,020.20
  • Area under lawns and gardens, para grass and orchads-537.00
  • Land and the social forestry land etc-183.00
  • Total-3,160.00

The main objective to erect such colony

  • Shifting of cattle/buffalo from the city limits.
  • Supply of better quality milk to the citizens of Mumbai at cheaper cost.
  • Maintenance of animals on scientific and modern animal husbandry practices.

Issues

The roads within Aarey are lonely and late night travel should be avoided between 10pm to 7am. The thick vegetation hides wild animals like leopard who usually prey on stray dogs and feral pigs. In recent years increased human encroachment into leopard territory and shortage of prey density in the neighbouring SGNP have turned some leopards into man eaters. On 22 December 2016, the headless body of a 22 year old boy, Brandon Gonsalves was found beheaded at Unit 2 to Aarey Colony. A part of Criminal activities like murders, road robberies and occult practices there are apocryphal tales of ghost’s trying to hitch rides.

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