Celebrating the November Tree Festival
In November 2025, naturalist Gaurav Soman of the Butterflies of Mulund conducted a Tree Appreciation Walk in the Hanging Garden. This free walk was a joint initiative with SeasonWatch and Save Hanging Garden to celebrate the November Tree Festival. The aim of this particular walk was to encourage the participants to notice seasonal changes, learn basic plant distinctions, and understand ecological interactions within an everyday open space environment. A total of over 35 participants attended the walk, and together they observed 54 plant species – about 30 of them trees, with the remaining representing a wide range of plant groups.
“What we realised is that people are genuinely curious about the trees around them. With just a little attention, this interest can grow into a daily habit of noticing and appreciating the greenery in their lives” said Gaurav.
Ever grateful for the support of environmental conservationists who, with their knowledge-sharing, are raising awareness, of the wealth of biodiversity and wildlife that abounds in the Hanging Garden and Kamala Nehru Park, and on Malabar Hill, too.
Photo credit: Mriganka Awati, naturalist and a participant of the walk & Gaurav Soman.
(By Pervin Sanghvi)
Local residents and Hanging Garden walkers, Jayshree & Ajay Dodia are delighted to share with their neighbours that their daughter, Shraddha Lakham Sawant Bhonsle, has been elected Mayor of Sawantwadi. The proud parents said, with the guidance of the Sawant Bhonsle Royal Family, and the dedication of her entire team at the Sawantwadi Nagarpalika, she will work tirelessly for the town of Sawantwadi. This town is near the border of the States of Maharashtra & Goa.
Hello. I’m Netra Baria. I am in 9th Std. and my hobby is reading books. As a reader, books have inspired me profoundly; I have had thoughts like, why can’t I write books? That’s when I started writing.
My first book ‘The Unexpected Distraction’ is about distractions that teenagers face. Adults believe that we don’t have any distractions, but we do, and this book is about how to overcome them.
I’ve been writing two more books. Second book is ‘Fifteen years with my father’. I recently lost my father, who was fighting with cancer, and I’ve written about how my most precious 15 years were with him. ‘Goodbye’ is the third book I’ve been writing. It’s about the goodbyes we have to say, even if we don’t want to.
Netra Baria (Picture on the right) is the niece of Shri Sunil Makwana, who is Jr. Supervisor, in SWM of D-Ward, BMC.
Indira Sonawala & Pradipa Bhasali. local residents wins Prime Women Pairs held from 7-8 November 2025 at Bombay Gymkhana Club. Runner up were Monica Jajoo & Jesal Dabriwala. The winners got 89 points and the runner-up got 39 points. (By Rtn Ashok Bhansali)
Warmest congratulations to Malabar Hill resident Shri Gautam Ashwin Ankhad
Warmest congratulations to Malabar Hill resident Shri Gautam Ashwin Ankhad on his appointment as the Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court!
On July 4, 2025, Justice Ankhad took oath before the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, marking a remarkable milestone in his illustrious career. As a distinguished Senior Counsel specializing in
Corporate and Commercial laws, he consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise and acumen in the High Court and Supreme Court.
A proud alumnus of Government Law College, Mumbai, Justice Ankhad’s academic excellence was evident in his stellar record and gold medal wins. His appointment as Judge of the Bombay High Court is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and passion for justice.
We extend our heartfelt wishes to Justice Ankhad for a distinguished and impactful judicial career, inspiring confidence, fairness, and integrity in the lives of countless individuals.
Seen in the picture above is Justice Gautam Ankad with his proud parents Adv Ashwin & Mrs Nayana Ankad.
