Reforestation of Taloja Hill Watershed, Navi Mumbai
Introduction
Taloja Watershed is a is a hill range adjoining the Taloja Lake and Owe dam. It is a water shed zone as it separates the rainwaters flowing to different water bodies including Taloja Lake in near vicinity. It is situated close to Sector 35 C in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. The land belongs to Panvel Forest Dept. and the local residents for Sector 35 have been carrying out environmental protection activity for past few years. The forest department is keen that the local community take up the initiative of greening the hill. The hilly is largely denuded with fewer trees. There is an immediate requirement of soil control and afforestation of the hill. It will improve the water table as well as benefit the neighboring Owe village as well. Additionally it will enhance the biodiversity of the region.
Reforestation should be used to build forest networks that are surrounded by low-intensity land use and that provide links within regions and between biomes. By reforesting Taloja Hill we will be providing a healthy linkage among the hill ranges of Kharghar and Belapur.
Project Overview
Project Location: Sector 35I, Taloja Jail Road, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
Project Duration: June 2020 - May 2023
Project Partner: Panvel Forest Dept. and iNaturewatch Foundation
Funding Agency: DCB Bank Ltd.
Project Outcomes:
Environmental
- Carbon sequestration, water recycling and humidity control.
- Purification of Air
- Corridor Implementation
- Fulfils Aichi Biodiversity Targets 1,7,15
Economy
- Employment for local farmers and Nursery installation.
- Community-owned Eco-tourism
Social
- Access and Benefit Sharing System (ABS)
- Community Participation
- Education and Organic Farming Practices
Project Interventions
Biodiversity Surveys
Biodiversity Surveys
Biodiversity Surveys
- Baseline Surveys
- Seasonal Bird Surveys
- Seasonal Herpetofauna Surveys
- Seasonal Tree Surveys
- Yearly Soil and Water analysis.
Ground Preparation
Biodiversity Surveys
Biodiversity Surveys
- Ground Preparations
- Digging pits for each plant.
- Plantation of 5000 tree saplings (tree, shrubs and herbs)
- Terracing
- Diversion
- Contour Bunding
- Making Gully Plug
- Trench digging
Plantation
Biodiversity Surveys
Nursery Management
- Plantation of 5000 tree saplings (tree, shrubs and herbs)
- Enriching the flora and fauna
Nursery Management
Development of Nature Trails
Nursery Management
- Developing the nursery with local villagers
- Selection of 10 nursery sites.
- Training women farmers
- Providing nursery kits.
- Buying back 6 months old sapling
Development of Nature Trails
Development of Nature Trails
Development of Nature Trails
- Trail development.
- 25 bilingual signages based on birds, butterflies and trees.
- Conduct seasonal nature trails for local citizens.
- Create awareness among the local citizens.
Community Engagement
Development of Nature Trails
Development of Nature Trails
- To conduct monthly volunteering programmes for local communities.
Project Updates (May- Aug 2020)
Bird Survey
The first bird survey was carried out on 6 June 2020 where 32 different bird species were recorded. The second survey was done on 14 June 2020 wherein 22 bird species were recorded. The total bird species recorded during the summer survey on the hill is 34 species
Plant Survey
The tree survey was carried out on 23 May 2020 and 6 June 2020. A total of 40 species were found on the hill.
Contour Bunding
This involves the placement of lines of stones along the natural rises of a landscape, help to capture and hold rainfall before it can become runoff. They also inhibit wind erosion by keeping the soil intact. It consists of building earthen embankments across the slope of the land, following the contour as closely as possible. Altogether 15 continuous contour bunds were dug of approximately 12 to 16 feet long.
Plantation
Plantation along slopes: Along the slop we plant shrubs and herbs like Bamboo, Biter Hedge and Khaas. Till date we planted 350 herbs and 250 shrubs. · Plantation on Hill Tops & Ridges: We planted all trees on hill tops and ridges. We planted 321 saplings. Our target for the year was 500 but managed to plant 321 saplings owing to lockdown situation