My Exploritales: Nature Trail to Yeoor Forest

What an experience it was!I went for my first nature trail to Yeoor forest with Mumbai Hikers group on Sunday 27th October 2013.I had planned to go to Shivneri fort but decided against a full day trek and opted for this trail instead, that would allow me time to complete my school work that was pending.

I left my house early in the morning to catch the bus to Yeoor village.There were many photo enthusiasts from Dr.Ceaser's photography group too at the bus-stop.We all alighted at the last stop where there was a flurry of activity.I was pleasantly surprised to see many morning walkers and joggers/runners out there.Many of them were training for some marathon event.It really inspired me to try out running too as I have always wanted to start running for increasing my stamina ,toning my body and most importantly,maintaining my ever-fluctuating weight.Yes, this was something I should try at the earliest,I thought to myself.While we waited for the rest of the group to join us ,I saw the moon still up in the morning sky and I saw a training institute for dogs nearby.I watched as the runners discussed the number of kilometres they had run and a trainer taught warm up exercises to a middle-aged man.there were many ladies out there too who were sweating it out and it was really inspiring for me.

We began our trail at about 7.45 am,much later than what was planned but I was not complaining as during the wait I had made up my mind to try marathon running next, so another goal for myself !The group was a small one of about twelve of us and we had Rajesh,Jayesh and Prasad as our group leaders.They instructed us to avoid talking and instead hear the sounds of the forest.They had binoculars and invited us to use them unhesitatingly.All the leaders were very knowledgeable and were very passionate about nature .We began our trail and we walked along the narrow pathway of the forest.This was the north end of the Sanjay Gandhi National park at Borivali and it was called Yeoor Forest.As we trailed along ,our leaders gave us many inputs and gyaan about the flora and fauna and I eagerly tried to gather as much as I could on this interesting trail.I saw many huge spider webs ,mostly of the giant wood spider.I learnt that the female Giant Wood Spider laid her egg and after that she got the nourishment she needed by eating up her male companion!I could just imagine the poor male spider impregnating the female one and then trying his best to run away from her to save his life.What a punishment for him!!!

Moving on,we heard different sounds in the near silent forest.Our leaders, amazingly could recognise the bird,insect or animal that made the sound. Rajesh acquainted us with the sounds of the dongo bird,the langur, the cricket and many other birds which I ,unfortunately, am not so good at remembering. Rajesh even mimicked the sounds of these animals accurately.Impressive,I must say!

We saw a couple of crabs,many spiders,butterflies and also a few rafters.Most importantly , I got a lot of information about the forests that I never even imagined.I understood that the health of the forests can be gauged by the number of creepers in the forests.The more the creepers ,the healthier the forest.We saw trees and flowers of different species and learnt in general abut them.We saw a bund made of rocks and were told that the forest department built them so that they could save the very precious soil from erosion due to the flowing waters of the streams.We learnt about the spitting bugs,wild orchids,creepers,funnel hole spiders,trees,birds,streams in the forests,tiger census etc. There is really so much we do not know about forests! Rajesh rightly said that we ignore the forests and the national parks and use them as hang-outs for couples and merry-makers instead of giving them the importance as eco-sensitive zones that need to be protected and nurtured.

We walked along deeper into the forest area and came across a stream and settled there for introductions and rest.We had some snacks and discussed our findings at the trail.We expressed our opinion about the trail and learnt some thing more about the rafters that we saw flying high in the vicinity.The leaders informed us about the work of the Mumbai Hikers group and their many treks and trails.We saw that the place where we halted was littered with plastic bags and wrappers.During the trail we had also come across a group that was talking very loudly and thereby ruining the calm and peace in the forest area.It is a shame that people fail to behave sensibly and responsibly when they come out on nature trails.Littering and loud banter is uncalled for.Nature trails are a means to come closer to nature and learn more about its richness.

The nature trail was fruitful in many ways for me.I had learnt so many things about the forests that I had never imagined before. Of course,I did not see many birds today but I had no regrets,as one of the persons in the group rightly said,we have to come with enthusiasm and not expectation.If we come with expectation there is every chance that we will return home disappointed while with enthusiasm we will surely return with satisfaction and that is what I experienced - immense satisfaction.It was an interesting nature trail and a learning experience for me.I clicked a few photographs and surprisingly,was more interested in learning more about the forests and seeing things around me rather than capturing them in my camera.Looking forward to many more nature trails in the future as the forests have so much to teach us.I plan to go on a nature trail to the Sanjay Gandhi National park at Borivali next time.This nature trail has whetted my interest for more nature trails in the future.I appreciate the good work the Mumbai Hikers group is doing to bring us closer to nature.Keep up the good work, Mumbai Hikers!!!