Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier

Pic/Atul Kamble

Flower power

A flower rangoli measuring 520 square foot created by the All Mumbai Malayali Association decorates the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on Onam

Winging it

Pied kingfisher. Pic Courtesy/Albin Jacob

The State of India's Birds (SoIB) report published last week throws light on the declining population of bird species in India. The national-level analysis assessed 942 Indian species from 30 million observations recorded on eBird by over 30,000 birdwatchers. From this, 178 species were identified as high conservation priority.

Sathiyaselvam P

Mumbai recorded 45,414 observations at hotspots like Sewri Jetty, Maharashtra Nature Park, Hanging Gardens, Mahalaxmi Race Course, and Shivaji Park. Sathiyaselvam P, deputy director, Bombay Natural History Society (one of 13 collaborating organisations on the report) said, "A handful of researchers cannot cover an entire area, it is easier to analyse data recorded by birdwatchers who have easy access to the areas. District-wise coordinators then verify and authenticate the record."

Bond with khaki

A volunteer interacts with children

This morning, the folks at iVolunteer India will celebrate Raksha Bandhan with police officers at Chunabhatti Police Station by tying rakhis made by government school students from across the city. Volunteers will tie rakhis and distribute sweets to the officers. Mihika Mirchandani, AVP, communications, shared, "The idea of this event is the celebration of brotherhood and people who keep us safe and add value to our lives. It is about recognising those who we might not have otherwise acknowledged in our daily lives, through this festival. The event is also part of a larger campaign where we have posted rakhis to our jawans at the border as well."

Turn over a new leaf

Volunteers at an earlier planting drive by the organisation

Suncity in Vasai looks like it's about to receive a green makeover thanks to the efforts of Nanhe Haath Foundation that will organise a tree plantation project called The Tree Revolution: 1000 Shades of Green this Sunday. Sanjay Vaishnav, who co-founded the NGO with his childhood buddy Lalit Chauhan, tells us that this weekend will witness the second phase of the drive where they will plant 200 trees in the neighbourhood. Last year, the organisation planted nearly 1,000 plants.

Sanjay Vaishnav

This year, with multiple phases planned, the aim is to increase that number as well as spread awareness among, and gather volunteers from, the residents and people who visit the spot for fresh air and exercise every day. "We have planted trees that are native to the coastal region like banyan, neem, peepal, kharoti and a variety of coconut trees from Green Umbrella Nursery. It is also important to nurture these trees and not just plant them. So, we have installed a drip irrigation system on each plant with a bottle that joggers can fill with water on their daily visits to the park."

Twice the fun

The double rainbow witnessed over the weekend in Walkeshwar. Pic Courtesy/Tarang Jain

Tarang Jain, founder, Artiste 360, recently spotted a double rainbow from her Walkeshwar house, behind Marine Drive.

We were happy to share the news with visual storyteller and geographer, Alisha Vasudev (inset), who explained, "Refraction and reflection of sunlight through raindrops form a rainbow (VIBGYOR sequence) but when light reflects twice inside a raindrop, we see a double rainbow (ROYGBIV sequence). There's an eight-degree difference in their reflections."

Dancing into the night

Dancers at a rehearsal session

The Ballet Festival of India recently put up the fourth edition of its live virtual showcase where students and international faculty members performed various dance pieces. You can catch the one-hour performance on their YouTube channel.

The evening also witnessed a webinar by international and Mumbai-based experts explaining the importance of dancers taking care of their bodies. Founder-director Ashifa Sarkar Vasi (inset) noted, "The highlight was the showcase where the faculty introduced each piece."