Taloja Watershed is a hill range adjoining the Taloja Lake and Owe Dam, serving as a critical watershed zone that separates rainwater flows into various nearby water bodies, including the Taloja Lake. Located close to Sector 35C in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, this area is under the jurisdiction of the Panvel Forest Department. Since 2016, local residents of Sector 35 have been actively engaged in environmental protection activities here.
The forest department was keen for the local community to take the initiative in greening the hill. The hills were largely denuded with sparse tree cover, creating an urgent need for controlling soil erosion and afforestation. These efforts will not only improve the water table but also benefit the neighboring Owe village. Furthermore, the reforestation will enhance the biodiversity of the region, fostering a healthier and more resilient ecosystem. Ladybird Environmental Consulting LLP (LEC) was roped in for its environmental expertise required for the project. This was a three year long project with focus on reforestation of the degraded hills.
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 Hills we will be providing a healthy linkage among the hill ranges of Kharghar and Belapur.
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
Economy
Social
Our project has yielded significant positive results. Out of the 5,435 saplings planted 2,873 are thriving, achieving a 52.8% survival rate. Despite the challenging conditions of poor soil quality, degraded habitat, forest fires, harsh weather, and cattle grazing, this survival rate is commendable and has been recognized by the Forest Department.
The thriving saplings are visibly transforming the barren land into a green landscape, as evidenced by Google Earth images. Species such as Indian Rosewood and Fever Nut have begun flowering and fruiting, contributing to the biodiversity of the area. Soil analysis indicates a remarkable improvement, with the soil shifting from acidic to neutral to slightly alkaline.
These outcomes demonstrate the successful reforestation and ecological enhancement of the land. The increase in biodiversity further underscores the positive impact of the project, signaling a promising future for the restored habitat.
The total number of species sighted at the site increased from 128 to 395 between April 2020 and March 2023. Specifically, plant species rose from 38 to 172, insect species from 39 to 100, arthropod species from 0 to 11, amphibian species from 3 to 7, reptile species from 6 to 17, bird species from 39 to 78, and mammal species from 3 to 10. Although species numbers have continuously increased, it remains challenging to determine whether this growth is due to the improving habitat or the regular, systematic biodiversity studies conducted in the area. The Taloja Hills Field Guide which is an outcome of this exercise will provide excellent documentation of the hills and provide good educational resource for general public. Newspapers like Mid Day, Hindustan Times, Sakal have already published our stories on the field guide, this amplifies our reach.
2,873 saplings, including herbs, shrubs, and trees, survived at the site with a 52.8% survival rate. Carbon sequestration studies found that 129 kg of carbon was stored in 26 tree saplings. While there was an increased occurrence of termites, posing a risk to the plants, their presence indicated improved soil moisture, which is a positive development.
Due to COVID outbreak we were unable to involve women from the villages in growing saplings, but the caretakers took on this role. Over 800 saplings were grown in the nursery during the project period. We collected native seeds from the wild to be sown into sapling bags for nursery growth.
Three nature trails were developed by selecting existing pathways which showcased unique biodiversity on the path. The Taloja Hills Field Guide provided excellent documentation of the hills and provide good educational resource for general public during the nature trails.
A volunteer base of 165 members from diverse backgrounds became strong supporters of Taloja Hills. Our project provided rare volunteering opportunities, otherwise unheard of in Mumbai. While not the project's primary purpose, we helped enhance scientific acumen among common citizens, creating new citizen scientists. Consequently, we received continued selfless support from these volunteers, significantly expanding our sphere of influence.
We conducted volunteering and community awareness programs, reaching 602 individuals, including students, corporate employees, and community members. We engaged the local community in activities such as planting, de-weeding, clean-ups, nursery work, and seed collection. The community expressed a strong interest in nature trails, giving us hope that they will continue the restoration work at Taloja Hills.
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