Forests and rivers of Western Maharashtra

Thane and its surroundings have been bestowed with nature’s bounty which is now under threat.

Thane and the newly formed Palghar district have large tracts of mangrove forests, fresh water bodies (lakes and ponds), estuaries, the forests of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and Tungareshwar. The magnificient Western ghats are also in close proximity and easily accessible. It is from these forests and the western ghats that we draw our sustenance in the form of annual monsoon rains. 

There are two rivers flowing through Thane district, Vaitarna and Ulhas. The river Vaitarna originates in the hills of Tryambakeshwar as does river Godavari. However, Vaitarna covers a distance of about 150 kms only, compared to the mighty Godavari which flows over 1400 kms and finally flows into the Bay of Bengal. Vaitarna has several tributaries, some of them are Pinjal & Tansa. Ulhas river has its origins in Tungarli (near Lonavala) and its tributaries include Bhatsa and Barvi rivers.
The thick forests in the western ghats form a watershed ensuring an almost perennial source of water for states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh with major rivers like Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery originating in these ghats.

Last undisturbed areas

These forests, rivers and wetlands are under pressure of the exploding human population and illegal occupation by land sharks. Compounding the problem is a reduction in diversity of forests with clearing of forests for agriculture, overgrazing by livestock, tree felling, pollution from industries and human settlements, and poaching of threatened bird and mammal species.

There are only a few areas present in the five coastal districts (Thane, Greater Bombay, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg) of Konkan Region that are undisturbed from human activities. With the present government’s emphasis on infrastructure development without adequate compensatory afforestation, there is clear and present danger to the very existence of the western ghats.

Some of the infrastructure projects affecting the environment are Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL): will flamingo habitat; the Mumbai-Nagpur Super expressway: will lead to land scale destruction of forest land; the Navi Mumbai airport and Goa highway expansion through Karnala bird sanctuary: can adversely affect migratory & endemic species; the metro III depot in Aarey colony: this would be the death knell for green cover in Mumbai. 
Of course these projects are required to make commuting easier for all of us. But we can only hope that they do not tilt the delicate ecological balance against humankind. 

Bird watching

Pictures from visit to Narsapur (off Kalyan Murbad highway) 

Tributary of river Ulhas.

White Wagtail 
It is easily recognizable due its characteristic black and white plumage.

It has a typical habit of bobbing its tail, hence the name ‘wagtail’.

It is more common than the yellow wagtail.

The Large Pied Wagtail

It is much larger that the smaller White Wagtail.

Commonly seen near water bodies and grassy patches in gardens adjoining rivers and streams foraging for insects and worms.

Also spotted Tickell's Blue Flycatcher.

BMC and NDZ

In the not so distant past for which historical records are available, the entire Indian sub-continent was covered with dense forests. Eye-witness accounts of several writers mention that the roads (whatever may have been their condition) were lined with shady trees, which provided shelter to all types of travelers. Travernier, a French traveler during the time of Sher Shah, wrote “From Lahor to Delhy, and from Delhy to Agra, is a continual walk set on both sides with fair trees, an object most pleasing to the eyes”.
One only has to look around on our road journeys to realize how badly we have treated our natural wealth.

As children studying during our school days, if there was one thing which was ingrained in all of us, it was that trees provide shade from harsh sunlight, shelter to birds and animals, and are chiefly responsible for inducing rainfall.

Even as adults, the beneficial influence of trees is not unknown to all, but only a handful are truly doing their bit in preserving the environment. They can be considered the environment warriors, and deserve the highest accolades from all of us. A majority tend to overlook such vital issues, choosing to remain blind to the disastrous consequences which future generations would have to contend with.
The adverse effects of environment degradation are too well documented and need no elaboration here.

Construction in NDZ and the metro car shed in Aarey colony are only two of the many issues of immediate concern for MMR region.

NDZ
Nothing can explain the most ill-advised decision of BMC to de-reserve the No Development Zone lands (salt pan lands) and convert them into so-called affordable housing for the masses. Development in the salt pan lands will sound the death knell of Mumbai, as seen in Calcutta Salt Lake City development where large tracts of wetlands were reclaimed.
Changes proposed in the DP are no doubt influenced by the powerful builders’ lobby and corrupt officials working in cahoots. This is something which needs no discussion and those guilty will doubtless face retribution. “As you sow, so may you reap”.

Effects of deforestation
Data from the Weather Bureau shows that maximum temperatures observed in 2015 are the highest experienced by all Indians in their lifetimes.

Effects of deforestation and destruction of green cover are also visible the world over. The year 2015 has shattered all records for high temperatures across the world, (ref: NASA, NOAA Analyses Reveal Record-Shattering Global Warm Temperatures in 2015, Jan 20, 2016; RELEASE 16-008). Parts of India have been worst affected. Extreme dryness of the undergrowth and soaring temperatures, reaching over 50°C at some places in Northern India, have triggered large scale forest fires raging beyond human control, (ref: Understanding a burning issue for India’s forests, IE, May 03, 2016). On the other hand, torrential rains in Southern India have caused untold damage to animal life and resulted in more than 350 deaths in Dec 2015.

Trees, as widely known, contribute towards increasing soil moisture and help modulate surface temperatures. Decrease in green cover greatly reduces surface moisture content and leads to increase in temperatures.

In Mumbai and Thane, despite large scale destruction of rain-trees (BMC blames it on the mealy bug) no corrective measures are being planned to replace the lost cover. The dead trees are being painted instead of being replaced with more resistant indigenous species. Guess who stands to gain if the mall has better visibility from the road..

Not just being content with inaction, it appears that the authorities are pulling out all stops in their efforts to cause further destruction by persisting with plan for construction of Metro 3 car-shed in Aarey Colony, the last untouched green space in the middle of Mumbai.

Resultant environmental degradation would be an unavoidable outcome of this decision. Not only will construction of the metro car-shed destroy a large number of trees, it will be the beginning of the end of the Colony.

Who is to be blamed?
Part of the blame lies with the people, but those living below poverty line may be excused for their actions. Given their economic background and strata, it is obvious that concern for the environment is something far removed from the slum dwellers thoughts. This is understandable and not surprising, as their daily search for jobs, fuel, food and water assume far greater urgency than concerns regarding air, water and ground-water pollution.

What is beyond understanding is the complete lack of civic sense and environmental consciousness exhibited by the common man – the educated working class, the economically well-off citizens, the bus and train commuters. Their behavior would bring shame to even a school kid. A very common sight on bridges over rivers and creeks is someone emptying heaps of old puja material (along with the plastic bags in which they are packed) into the sea. Replicate this scene on thousands of bridges all over the country and you would realize that we Indians care a damn about the environment, though for all apparent appearances, we consider the rivers and lakes to be holy bodies named after gods / goddesses like Ganga, Saraswati, Krishna, Godavari.

So, who is to be blamed? Yes of course, part of the blame lies all of us, the common man included, for not doing enough, for not respecting the environment, treating it with disdain, hoping that someone else will take care of it.

A far greater part of the blame lies with the corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and crafty developers. But don’t we all know how the politicians love to first create and then nurture vote banks? Illegal occupation of land by slums followed by regularization is the most obvious means of land grabbing.

So folks, what do you think? After all the money and riches that they have amassed, should they not contribute more for conserving the environment and preserving, if not increasing, the existing green cover? Are they not duty-bound to work towards ensuring equitable water supply to all citizens, especially the poor farmers? Should not expert committee recommendations about installing individual water meters be implemented? Now that the monsoon has played truant for two years, should not they be concerned and getting busy with measures for inducing artificial rainfall? What about executing the ban on plastics? Why not ban plastics on railway premises (as done for a short period) without being intimidated down by the vendor lobby? Why not concentrate on building mass transport like the metro rather than the outdated monorail? Why not build cycle tracks and promote BRTS? Questions and more questions...with no clear answers.

But, it would be futile to expect anything from our elected representatives who, baring a few good men and women, have a single point agenda: increasing their pile of ill-gotten wealth. What do you think? Please comment..

Can we contribute to the environment?
The Forest department has planned a massive plantation drive on July 01, 2016. Volunteers to assist the department in this green endeavor are welcome.

Monsoon 2016

Up ahead in the distance is a faint glimmer of hope – of bountiful rains, rivers running full, of dams overflowing with life-giving water and of farmers gazing at green fields with grain ready for harvesting. For the past two years, 2014 and 2015, the hopes of millions have been smashed to smithereens. Thousands have paid with their lives after facing two consecutive droughts due to the dreaded El Nino effect.

Will India be blessed with normal rainfall this year?  The question is difficult to answer with hard assurance for anyone, except of course the good Lord in Heaven, blessed be thy name.

El Nino, La Nina and Neutral Phase

El Nino and La Nina are the opposite phases of ENSO cycle (El Nino Southern Oscillation cycle).The warm phase is referred to as El Nino and the cooler phase is La Nina. Neutral phase is what occurs between the warm and cool phases.
ENSO cycle is the scientific term which refers to fluctuation in temperature between the ocean and atmosphere in East-Central Equatorial Pacific (source NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA). This is the ocean that lies between Indonesia and South America.

During normal conditions, the easterly trade winds keep warm water near Indonesia and Philippines. In an El Nino year, the easterly winds weaken and warm water flows east towards South America. The increase in water temperature across Central & East Central Equatorial Pacific causes heavy rains in South America.

El Nino and Indian monsoon

The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), ie., difference in sea surface temperature between western pole in West Arabian Sea and eastern pole in Eastern Indian Ocean (south of Indonesia) is linked to ENSO cycle. Like the ENSO, IOD can be positive (warmer temperature in West Arabian Sea) or negative (cooler temperature).
Studies by the IITM (Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology) have shown a link between a positive IOD or La Nina conditions in the Pacific with a delayed withdrawal of the Indian monsoon, and a shorter rainy season in case of a negative IOD or El Nino. La  Nina is strongly linked to good rains over Asia sub-continent, but this does not always hold true.
In the La Nina years 1974, 1999 and 2000, rains were below normal, whereas the El Nino year 1997 saw above average rainfall. Fact remains, no La Nina year has seen a drought (rains < 90%) nor has an El Nino event seen excess rainfall (> 110%).
It is this complex web of interactions between world weather conditions and oceanic currents which makes accurate predictions about the monsoons very difficult. The rise in green house gases (carbon dioxide and methane) further complicates the situation.
 

Hopes for India

Experts are of the opinion that the El Nino effect is weakening.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Government of Australia, (bulletin issued on 29 March 2016) most international climate models suggest a continuing weakening of El Nino. A repeat of El Nino is unlikely and return to neutral levels is possible by mid 2016. This is important for India as it marks the beginning of our monsoons.

Historical data available from the year 1900 onwards shows that of the 26 El Nino events recorded, 50% were followed by neutral years and 40% by the favored La Nina phenomenon.

Ocean temperature anomaly data

For meteorological purposes, equatorial pacific is divided into 4 parts, Nino 1 & 2, Nino 3.4 and Nino 4. Of relevance to the Indian monsoon is Nino 3.4. Data from  Bureau of Meteorology indicates gradual decline of Ocean surface temperature, an indication of waning El Nino effect.

Index	January	February	Temperature change
NINO3	+2.1	+1.6	0.5 °C cooler
NINO3.4	+2.2	+1.9	0.3 °C cooler
NINO4	+1.3	+1.3	0.0 °C No change

 

This data is not so reliable, due to “Spring Predictability Barrier”, which refers to a barrier in which predictability of climate models to make accurate forecasts is drastically reduced.

So, although the first forecasts indicate a favorable monsoon for India, more information will be available later in April. One can only hope that the rains are on time, normal and well distributed. 

Until then, we can only live in Hope of Deliverance.