Mumbai tour operators cancel travel plans to save the fireflies

Even Bhandup-based Shivdhara Trekkers have cancelled their trip to Rajmachi

Just a day after mid-day reported about the growing concern over high tourist footfall at a number of villages affecting the mating cycle of fireflies and adding to the residents' water woes, a couple of tour organisers from the city cancelled their upcoming visits to Rajmachi and Bhandardara, of which firefly-spotting was one of the key highlights.

Speaking to mid-day, Mohammad Aslam N Saiyad, a city-based photographer who documents urban landscape, said, "A number of friends shared the report on Facebook explaining how such activities disrupt the lives of fireflies. Naturalists going to these areas are not a concern because they know how to conduct themselves. But once I expose regular tourists to these pristine areas, they might want to visit them again on their own without the required knowledge." He further said that he was in the process of refunding the participants' money. Even Bhandup-based Shivdhara Trekkers have cancelled their trip to Rajmachi.

Ecologists have pointed out that campfires, loud music, bright torchlight and flash photography are some of the key problems that come with such tours. And in response to these concerns, the forest department recently issued no-nuisance guidelines.

However, when asked about the inclusion of live music in their itinerary, Nikki Shrivas of 99Hikers says, "Our campsite is at a distance of 20 km from the firefly breeding region in the forest. The live music is of unplugged variety featuring the guitar, congo and a vocalist. We ensure that our actions cause no harm to the flora and fauna." Digvijay Rathore of Mischief Treks says, "While tourists destroy a place, trekkers leave no trail. We should aim to behave like the latter."

Top News Stories Of The Day

• Mumbai cops land in LOC to search man who sent a pornographic video on WhatsApp
• mid-day test drive: Mumbai streets are alive with the danger of cylinders
• Mumbai: Priest dies of shock after seeing truck run over boy at Sion-Koliwada
• Mumbai: Snakes frequenting posh Malabar Hill Society scare residents
• Dead man's case files go missing from JJ Hospital
• Mumbai: 23 BMM students of Khalsa college stranded in final year
• Shiv Sena may get Dy CM post soon
• Thane police crack Vajreshwari temple theft, nab five
• Mumbai: Rape accused flees from cops through hospital toilet in Versova
• BJP in Mumbai North to keep 3,000 laddoos, pedas ready for Thursday
• Tushar Gandhi: To drag Bapu in was strategically planned
• Mumbai Mahila Congress seeks FIR against Vivek Oberoi for insulting women's modesty
• Court quashes sexual assault FIR against actor Jeetendra filed by cousin
• TikTok Celebrity Mohit Mor shot dead; act captured on CCTV
• Poonam Mahajan: Unseen family photos of Pramod Mahajan's daughter
• Elections 2019: Popular politicians and key battles in Mumbai
• Mumbai tour operators cancel travel plans to save the fireflies

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!