Матеран: Автомобильсіз төбе және экологиялық аймақ

Matheran is an automobile free hill station and a municipal council in the Karjat taluka of the Raigad district located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Matheran is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and one of the smallest hill stations in India. It is located in the Western Ghats, at an elevation of around 800 m (2,625 feet) above sea level. It is about 90 km from Mumbai, and 120 km from Pune. This proximity to these urban areas makes it a weekend getaway for many. Matheran, which means "forest on the forehead" (of the mountains) in Marathi, is an eco sensitive region, declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It is Asia's only automobile free hill station. There are many hotels and Parsi bungalows in the area. Old British colonial architecture is preserved in Matheran. The roads are made of red laterite earth.

Geographically the rock types are solely composed of Deccan trap with inter trappeans of Cretaceous, Eoceuerage and laterites of a still younger age. The rock is basalt, which has given rise to secondary alteration known as laterite. The laterite predominates the hills and almost covers the hilltops. This makes the hard exposed surfaces of the laterite show red gravelly earth. The soil has a vermicular or pisolitic structure and contains a large amount of water. There is little soil cover over most of the hilltop. The topmost layer of rock is a soft porous iron clay, through which there is drainage of water by the beginning of summer.

Semi evergreen forests are present in the Matheran. The trees are evergreen, making the plateau forests very dense and even congested in places. The laterite, porous soil along with very heavy rainfall mixed with dense fog has resulted in unique flora rich in diversity on the plateau. The forests show vegetation in top, middle and ground storeys. The trees form a cover over a large variety of shade loving herbs, climbers, ferns and mosses. The forests of Matheran have attracted many botanists: Smyth J. Y. (1871), Birdwood H. M. (1886) and (1896), Cooke T. (1887–1901), Woodrow G. M. (1897–1901), Irani N. A. (1962), Satyanarayann & Mudliar (1959), Vartak, V. D.(1966), Kothari & Moorthy (1993). A good collection of the dried plants is deposited in the Blatter Herbarium, St. Xavier's College, Bombay, Mumbai. Matheran has a huge number of medicinal plants and herbs. It was declared an Eco Sensitive zone (ESZ) by the Union Environment Ministry on 4 February 2003. The declaration as ESZ has led to the stoppage of developmental activities and construction of hazardous industries.

Sr. No. Scientific names of the speciesCommon names1Albizzia chinensis (Osb.) Merr. Udal, Kajav2Actinodaphne angustifolia Nees. Pisa3Aglaia lawii (Wight.) Sald.4Alseodaphne semicarpifolia Nees. Sugran5 Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. Saitan, Satvin6Aporosa lindleyana (Wight) Baill. Ukveti7Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. Kemshi8Atlantia racemosa Wight. & Arn. Makad limbu9Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) RoxbKalak10Bauhinia foveolata Dalz. Chambel. The vegetation of the area depends on the type and depth of the soil. Due to poor soil depth, the vegetation on the edges of the plateaus is poor. Due to heavy rainfall, dissected hilly terrain and excessive leaching of the soil, the exposed areas become less fertile and become less moisture retentive, resulting in shallow rooted vegetation. It is required to plant trees to protect the soil cover from losing its valuable humidity and fertility. The winds are very strong and blow from west or southwest during monsoon and also dry winds blow during the three months from January to March. These winds tend to shear and bend the plants while absorbing their moisture.

As of the 2001 India census, Matheran had a population of 5139. Males constituted 58% of the population and females 42%. Matheran had an average literacy rate of 71%; male literacy being 75%, and female literacy being 66%. In Matheran, 11% of the population was under 6 years of age. Languages spoken include Marathi, Hindi, and English.

The winter months are cool with the temperature usually staying above 11 °C. While the days are mostly sunny, evenings and early mornings tend to get a bit chilly. Couples prefer this time period to visit Matheran for their honeymoons.

The temperatures can go over 35 °C during the day. However, tourists do not report displeasure despite the temperature.

This time period sees heavy rainfall in Matheran.

Matheran is connected to Mumbai (100 km) & Pune (120 km) by rail and road, with the closest railway station being in the foothill town of Neral. The nearest airport is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai.

Matheran has a narrow gauge railway station in the town center. The old Matheran Hill Railway offers several daily trains to Neral. The toy train is connected to the mainline rail route at the Neral Junction. Mini train or toy train service started between Neral and Matheran from 22nd October 2022. The train between the Aman lodge and Matheran is also in place at intervals of approximately every hour having approximately 85 seats. Presently 2 up and 2 down train service has been started. The first train starts at 850am from Neral, second train is at 220pm. You will reach Matheran at 1130am and 5pm respectively. Matheran to Neral trains are at 245pm and 420pm that will reach Neral at 530pm and 7pm respectively.

There is a taxi service available from the Neral railway station till Aman Lodge, while bus services are available from the railway stations of Neral and Karjat both. No automobiles except for a Municipality operated ambulance are allowed inside Matheran.

Beyond Aman Lodge, the only available transport facilities are horses and hand pulled rickshaws.

The Municipality has expressed its interest in permitting electronic rickshaws beyond Aman Lodge as well. However, this has seen opposition from many Matheran locals. Despite this, test trials for the above solution have been granted authorization by the Municipality.

Altogether, there are 40 points, two lakes, two parks, four major worship places and a race course to visit in Matheran.

The water to the Matheran is supplied from Lake Charlotte. This dam overflows during monsoon, making it a tourist attraction.

The "Paymaster park" at Matheran is maintained by the local Municipality. Games for children and pagodas are organised here .

This route goes from Rambaug point to a small village called Pokharwadi near Chowk village. The route passes through a waterfall during the rainy season. There is a view of the Morbe Dam's backwater while going through this route.

The route's base village is the Ambewadi village. Ambewadi is near Pokharwadi, where the route to Rambaug point begins. There is a view of the Morbe Dam's backwater while going through this route.

This is reported to be the most difficult trekking route of Matheran. It starts from the base village Mamdapur and takes about 3 hours to reach Matheran via the Vikatgad fort. All treks have been reported to take between 2 and 3 hours to be completed. The Rambaug Point and One Tree Hill routes are usually not taken by any trekkers nowadays.