Matheran’s stone walls taking away habitat of reptiles, say naturalists

Development work has started as MMRDA MatheranWildlife enthusiasts and experts alike believe that laying stone walls and chain link fences will create hurdles for reptiles trying to cross from side to side.

Experts say the walls cover small reptiles but also hinder the movement of several other species

Four viewpoints were included in the development work – Panorama, Myra, Heart and Echo. Sixty percent of the work was completed after the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Matheran Monitoring Committee, Forestry Department and Matheran Municipal Council gave their approval.

Naturalist and nature lover Omkar Patil said, “The wall has resulted in a loss of wildlife habitat that a layperson would not notice. The snakes that rely on camouflage have been exposed, and we have seen bamboo pit vipers and vine snakes hanging from such railings The cover is peeled off, they find less food and have a shorter lifespan. They are also exposed to poachers. “

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“Do you know the innate beauty”
Nature lovers have also claimed that the modernization over the years and the new walls have reduced the visibility of frogs and snakes. “Matheran is more than just a toy train, lodges and horse rides. It’s a beautiful habitat that should be protected. Inclusion in the ecologically sensitive zone is important and makes people aware of its innate beauty,” said Patil.

Matheran reptiles: a cat snake catches a prey; (right) a bronze back tree snake. Images: Omkar Patil

Species of snakes found in Matheran include the saw-scaly viper, krait, spectacle cobra, checkered keelback, striped keelback, Russell viper, green grapevine snake, and slender coral snake. Amphibians sighted in the area include the Indian bullfrog, common Indian toads, including the skittering frog, cricket frog, narrow-necked frog, etc. Gecko species include the banded gecko, the rock gecko, and Roux’s forest lizard. There are also different types of skinks.

A jumping frog in Matheran. Image: Omkar Patil