Funded by:
Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) Environment Improvement Society
Project Duration: 2004-2006
Matheran is a hill station situated in the Mumbai, India Metropolitan
region of Maharashtra and is located about 64 km from Mumbai,
India city,
at an altitude of about 700m above sea level. Being extremely close
to the two main cities in Maharashtra i.e. Mumbai and Pune, it is
one of the most popular and heavily frequented, tourist destinations
in the state. It attracts tourist for its pleasant climate all
around the year and the unique toy train ride to reach the plateau.
And nevertheless, it is the only hill station in Asia where vehicles
are not allowed.
The Matheran plateau and its surrounding region,
has been declared as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) in the year 2003,
by the Government of India; under the Environment (Protection) Act,
1986. As per the notification a Zonal and Sub-Zonal Master Plan was
to be prepared for the Eco-sensitive Zone by the State Government,
by integrating environmental considerations into it. These plans
would provide for restoration of denuded areas, management of
catchments areas, watershed management, ground water management,
soil and moisture conservation, provision for fuel wood, needs of
local community and such other aspects of the ecology and
environment that need attention.
The project puts forth a detailed
study of the various components of the ecological chain, like the
ecology, geology, hydrology, topography and their interdependency;
the risk of loss of these due to interference or neglect and
formulation of strategies to protect and enhance the wider
environment and ecological setting of Matheran.
The report includes
an environmental study of Matheran plateau establishing the
ecological significance of the plateau, identification of problems
and issues that have been detrimental to the environment and the
impact of biotic pressures on the natural environment. It recommends
protection, conservation and management plans for the conservation
of natural resources. It also includes environmental guidelines
which could be incorporated into the Sub-zonal Master Plans.
