With Rains Come Snakes, Fishes, And Exotic Birds

Monsoon magic

By Arun Kumar Shrivastav

Monsoon Magic: Soft green grasses and creepers totally covered the otherwise rocky, barren, and brown landscape

A few weeks of monsoon has completely changed the landscape of Ulwe’s open spaces. The first thing that comes to notice is the soft green grasses and creepers that have totally covered the otherwise rocky, barren, and brown landscape of the previous months.

As the weather is temperate with bouts of rains and dry spells during the day, a walk around this cute small township is like exploring an exotic tourist village near the sea.

“Despite the lockdown, I make it a point to walk around different sectors for at least an hour every day. Lockdown is a blessing in disguise. There are fewer people on the street and vehicles are even less. During the walk, I can enjoy the natural scenery and contemplate. The walks are so fulfilling now,” says a Sector-8 resident during one of such walks.

While nature is manifesting in all its green glory, there are not many people out there to watch it because of the lockdown. But for some people, the lockdown is the reason why they come out and enjoy the walks marveling at monsoon magic.

“As you walk around, you can’t fail to take note of small pits and nallas that have bounced back as new water bodies with clean transparent water moving at a pace that’s simply cute and fascinating. Set amid huge black rocks and soft green cover, these water bodies make the surroundings so full of life,” he explains further.

In such a beautiful set-up, birds and other creatures are bound to be around. So, there are water birds as well as other ordinary birds like sparrows.

“But, the water bodies are perhaps thriving with fish and for the anglers in the neighbourhood, it’s time to pursue their passion as two of them with their fishing gear are seen walking through a huge patch of green to some lonely spot for a quiet spell of fishing,” he says.

Some residents have also claimed to have spotted snakes, especially of the venomous variety, in their area.

One morning we spotted two snakes who roamed around for a while in the parking space on the ground floor of our building before disappearing in the nearby bushes. People told us that they were venomous. Now, I am scared of venturing out, says a 10-year-old kid in Sector-9. 

So, beware, and keep relevant phone numbers handy!