NGO identifies hundreds of varieties of flora and fauna at two Mumbai gardens

According to the report, 154 species of flora were identified in Mancherji Joshi Gardens. Seventy-six of these are tree species, 37 herb species, 32 shrub species and 12 species are commonly observed. And 124 species of fauna identified in the garden in Dadar include 70 species of insects, 23 species of birds, 17 species of moths and 14 species of butterflies.

Similarly, at the Abdul Kalam Vanodyan, 163 different species of flora were found and 96 of them were tree species, 39 shrub species and 25 herb species. Of the 126 varieties of fauna found there, 63 are insect species, 29 bird species and 26 moth species.

Bhagwant Kesbhat, founder of Waatavaran, said the report clearly establishes the coexistence of different species within Mumbai’s gardens as part of their own micro ecosystem. “The United Nations has warned of the threat of extinction to nearly 1 million species. There has been evident impact on coastal flora and fauna as well, which is very relevant and alarming for a coastal city like Mumbai. It’s high time we took responsibility for these issues and especially help the young minds to connect with their surrounding environment and take action,” he said.

Jitendra Pardeshi, superintendent of the garden department in Mumbai, said that five lakh trees had been planted in the past one year in order to improve the city’s greenery. “The Abdul Kalam Vanodyan was developed by transforming a dump yard and this report documents the success of our unique effort by showing how different species of flora and fauna are thriving in this garden,” he said.