Project Initiated in 2006

The plateau of Matheran situated at just about 64 kilometers from the city of Mumbai is a popular tourist destination and has been declared as an Eco-Sensitive Zone in the year 2003 by the Government of India, considering its fragile ecology and environmental status.

Pay Master Park is located on the Matheran plateau and is one of the very few recreational grounds marked on Development Plan of the Matheran Plateau (1903). It is located on the Rugby plateau which is the highest plateau top on the entire Matheran plateau. It is meant for all the public (locals as well as tourist).

Need for the project

Tourism is an important aspect of Matheran. The floating population of tourists is increasing every year. Pleasant climate, unpolluted and peaceful environment and natural beauty are the main reasons why tourists visit Matheran. But, the increasing numbers of tourists visiting Matheran have put pressure on the existing infrastructure and resources.

Most of the tourists who visit Matheran are from metropolises like Mumbai or Pune. They expect conventional facilities to be served to them at any tourist destination. They therefore look for lodging and boarding facilities, which offer them more than just stay and accommodation. Most of the hotel industry today is catering to this tourist demand; which has disturbed the natural character of the place.

Need to decongest recreational activities and create environmental awareness

Restoration and conservation of the fragile ecology of the hill, is important through environmental awareness for tourist as well as locals. Awareness and education can also be spread through fun and play. “Learning through play” or “Educating through fun” can prove an effective tool and help to a certain extent to resolve the above problem.

The report focuses on the redevelopment and the ecological conservation of the park. The proposal also helps in conserving the eco-sensitivity of the plateau. A right balance is struck between the utilization of resources and conservation. The design proposal aims at self sustainability and the right utilization of resources. Also it focuses on eco-sensitivity and eco-education through fun and play.

Thus the Pay Master Park could be revived through appropriate conservation and restoration techniques to become a scenic, recreational and cultural hub for the Matheran plateau.