News
Microclimate:
On the morning of Apr. 4th a microclimate
descended upon The Machan. Just for a few hours The Machan
and the valley below were shrouded in a monsoon like mist.
Check out footage of this phenomena under the Images & Video
section.
Arboreal Orchids:
Wild Arboreal Orchids are now beginning to
bloom in Jambulne.
Wind Gusts:
Wind speeds of up to 145 kmph were recorded at
The Machan on Jan 15th.
Jambulne - A Naturalist’s Haven
Jambulne - in the Sahyadri Hills of the Western Ghats ,one of 25 biological hotspots of the world, is only 17 km from Lonavla [comfortable 30 minutes by road], 2 1/2 hours from Mumbai & 1 1/2 hours from Pune. It is 8 km short of Sahara’s Amby Valley. Nearby, are the mountain top forts of Korai, Ambawane & Tungi, as well as, the huge Pauna & Mulshi lakes.
Jambulne, a personal retreat with evergreen wild trees is fenced in, secure & ensures total privacy. Bird watching, butterfly gazing, exploring the flora & fauna are a few options. The valley view from the Tree House [The Machan] is quite breathtaking. Visitors can also hike up the neighbouring
hill [3,900 ft.] to see an ancient temple, trek
into the adjoining forest and also enjoy 5 km of our own jungle paths, on the property. The monsoon rains fill the two ponds & streams flow through this land. Wild flowers bloom, while the clouds descend all around you. Winters are cool [night temp. 7 C] & by then, the northern migratory birds are also seen nesting here. An evening bonfire provides the required warmth. Even warm summer afternoons are fairly pleasant, under our forest canopy.
Background
This 25 acre piece of Tropical Cloud Forest, situated at 2,800 ft. was acquired over 15 years ago, with an objective to bring back the natural flora and fauna of the Western Ghats.
At that time, the land was completely degraded by repeated slash and burn cultivation, stifled by a dense carpet of weeds [Karvi],overgrazed by cattle & goats and random cutting of trees by locals. Trapping and hunting of animals was a regular feature. The first steps necessary were fencing the land , removal of weeds [a nine year project] and pruning of the wild trees [an ongoing process].This was followed by digging of waterholes for
animals, termite control on trees [still continues every alternate year], water management and installation of a solar & wind power system. Later, extensive paths were created, watch and ward increased and trial cultivation with certain flowering plants and trees was carried out to determine their suitability. Today with more than 90 % of the wild trees/shrubs flowering & fruiting, birds are nesting in greater numbers. A few barking deer have now made Jambulne their permanent home. Small animals like rabbit, mongoose, porcupine, squirrel etc. are a far more common occurrence [not to 
mention - a proliferation of insects, butterflies, moths, crabs, frogs & snakes].
Five years ago we started a project whereby part of the forest canopy is being utilized as a natural greenhouse for breeding/cultivating Amaryllis [Hippeastrum]. There are now more than 20,000 healthy indigenous trees - their slash & burn ordeal noticeable only to the discerning eye. An ecologically balanced Forest has emerged.
At that time, the land was completely degraded by repeated slash and burn cultivation, stifled by a dense carpet of weeds [Karvi],overgrazed by cattle & goats and random cutting of trees by locals. Trapping and hunting of animals was a regular feature. The first steps necessary were fencing the land , removal of weeds [a nine year project] and pruning of the wild trees [an ongoing process].This was followed by digging of waterholes for
animals, termite control on trees [still continues every alternate year], water management and installation of a solar & wind power system. Later, extensive paths were created, watch and ward increased and trial cultivation with certain flowering plants and trees was carried out to determine their suitability. Today with more than 90 % of the wild trees/shrubs flowering & fruiting, birds are nesting in greater numbers. A few barking deer have now made Jambulne their permanent home. Small animals like rabbit, mongoose, porcupine, squirrel etc. are a far more common occurrence [not to mention - a proliferation of insects, butterflies, moths, crabs, frogs & snakes]. Five years ago we started a project whereby part of the forest canopy is being utilized as a natural greenhouse for breeding/cultivating Amaryllis [Hippeastrum]. There are now more than 20,000 healthy indigenous trees - their slash & burn ordeal noticeable only to the discerning eye. An ecologically balanced Forest has emerged.
