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A
climb up above Tikuji Ni Wadi of Manpada leads you to
a veritable paradise. With Borivili in the horizon,
majestic mountains unfold eternally beneath your feet
carpeted by natural foliage and fauna, and your breathing
of fresh air as nature intended will not allow you to
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A hike in to these mountains invigorates you probably better than any amount of fresh air than you can imbibe in the city and gives you a good work out to boot. A continued walk would take you to Godhbunder but it is not advisable to go it alone without a well-trained guide.
At the base of this climb lies the Nature Interpretation Centre, which provides a healthy interaction between public and nature. From here a healthy climb of about 1 hour takes you to up on the hills above Tikuji Ni Wadi. As you climb you have a birds eye view of Thane that you have left behind even for a little while.
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Did you know that the park is the nesting ground for about 274 kinds of birds - that's almost a quarter of all bird species found in India. From the tiny Tickell's Flowerpecker (small Indian bird), many species of beautiful Sunbirds (old word equivalent of the Humming birds) the Paradise Flycatcher, and the elusive Trogon to the majestic White Bellied Sea Eagle, several kinds of Kingfishers, Woodpeckers and Drongos; the forest is truly a visual feast of feathered friends. From the moment you enter the forest, nature's symphony welcomes you with its many unique sounds. The continuous |
calling of the large Green Barbet, the wildly screeching Parakeets, the metallic calls of the Racket-trailed Drongo and the musical call of the Blue flycatcher. The extremely melodious song of the Malabar Whistling Thrush or the familiar refrain of the Spotted Babbler are just a few of the sounds that will be sweet music to your ears.
Last, but certainly not the least, are the 150 species of beautiful winged creatures that represent the amazing butterfly world. A delightful variety of sizes and colours, from the spectacular Blue Mormon to the phenomenal artist of camouflage the Blue Oak Leaf, the bright Jezebels and large yellow, white and orange tipped Monarch. Egg Flies and Sailers are but a few of the many breathtaking butterflies you can find flitting around here.
Shed snakeskin, sprinting squirrels are among some of the other discoveries that can be made by ardent trekkers everyday. Other wild animals are spotted but one has to be patient and quiet. Panthers can be seen too if you are lucky. |
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Dotted with tribal huts at hand and within the periphery
the tribal couple in the hut above will offer water
that is pure, clean, and straight from the springs.
You could take your sandwiches and other eatables
but be careful. Do not leave plastic bags for animals
to choke upon and broken glass bottles to cut the
animals, which would in turn them into maneaters.
Please do not litter and leave any mess when you visit.
A day spent in this enchanting forest, leaves you
breathless that such richness that lies just an hour
away from Mumbai, is yet surprisingly unspoiled by
human influence. Please leave it that way.
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