A Pocket Field Guide to Taloja Hill Forest

A Pocket Field Guide to Taloja Hill Forest was released on 24 March 2023 by Shri. Bittu Sahgal, Editor Sanctuary Asia, India Founder, Sanctuary Nature Foundation, at BNHS Hornbill House

As we conclude our three year Reforestation Project of Taloja Watershed We leave behind a team of trained field naturalists whom we trained last month, as well as a field guide who can act as a ready resource for anyone who wants to explore the Taloja Hill forest. When we finish the project, the local community will take ownership of the hill and continue to protect it. What better way to engage visitors than with a field guide designed specifically for this purpose? The Pocket Field Guide to Taloja Hill Forest, sponsored by DCB Bank Ltd. as part of its CSR initiative, is an excellent resource to leave behind.

About the Field Guide
This is the first field guide of Navi Mumbai therefore it is considered special. Given the varied biodiversity of Navi Mumbai which is unique compare to Mumbai or Thane, this field guide gives glimpse of biodiversity that is seen among the hills of Navi Mumbai.

Authored by V.Shubhalaxmi, Isaac Kehimkar and Priti Choghale, the 49 species field guide includes unique as well as common species found on the Taloja Hill in different seasons. It is an seven-fold brochure including information on 49 species of plants and animals seen at Taloja Hills. It includes 20 plants, 10 insects, 2 amphibians, 5 reptiles, 10 birds and 2 mammals.The information is delivered in a simple yet lucid manner. For example, while describing trees, information about its pollinators and insects that use it as a hostplant is included, providing a comprehensive picture of the species' ecological role. Similarly while discussing an animal species, plant-animal interaction data are presented. Some of the interesting species include Sundew which was first time recorded, so is Red Helen and Hairy Okra. Several endemic species such as Harvester Ant and Frilly Lepidogathis wildflower were also documented. Such species have a right to have their habitats safeguarded. The overall purpose of the field guide it to provide enough information about the hill biodiversity to its visitors who otherwise merely visit the hill for its attractive views. We hope this field guide will let people appreciate the Taloja hill and urge them to protect it rather vandalizing.

This free copy will be given away to all the participants who will be joining our vounteering events as well as nature trails that are planned from April to July. A digital copy is also available for free download. Currently only English copy is available soon, Hindi version will be made available.

A Pocket Field Guide to Taloja Hill Forest (pdf)Download