Nilje: The Jewel of Dombivli

In the first week of April 2010, I finally managed to visit the beautiful Nilje Lake near Dombivli. I started off from my in-laws’ place in Dombivli on a morning trip of Nilje Lake with my wife’s uncle Uday Dada. After planning for several weeks we managed to make this trip and despite the rising mercury it was worth it. We started off at 8.30 am, which is late as compared to normal bird-watching standards, but since we expected waders (birds seen in shallow water) we were not bothered about the time, since unlike forest or grassland birds, waders generally remain in the wetlands even as the scorching sun marches up the sky.

We drove off on Uday Dada’s Honda Activa and even in the concrete jungle called Dombivli, the beauty of spring was evident from the blossoms of Indian Laburnum (Bahawa), Gulmohar, Copperpod (Soanmohar), White Silk Cotton and an occasional Pride Of India tree (Taman). After cruising briefly on the Kalyan Shil Road amidst upcoming townships altering the earlier rural countryside, we took a left turn in Nilje village just after the toll naka. And in a couple of minutes we were in front of a wide lake, partially covered with Water Hyacinth and partly covered with water plants like lilies. The nearer side of the lake was circled with single storey houses of Nilje village, while the farther side was bordered with huge trees and fields. In short it had a peaceful rustic appeal, which is largely absent in a fast growing town like Dombivli.

The first darshan was that of a flock of Lesser Whistling Duck settled amongst the water plants. Confused initially about the identity of the bird, after seeing through binoculars and referring to Grimmet’s field guide and later confirming with my birder friend from BNHS, Nikhil Bhopale, we were sure about what we saw. Farther away on the lake surface were many Indian Moorhen, busy foraging individually among the water plants.

As we circled the lake slowly along the road that borders it on one side we saw a Small Green Bee-eater (Veda Raghu in Marathi) sitting on a stately Tamarind tree adjoining the lake. We were delighted to see this dainty bird in all its beauty. However, the characteristic needle-like long feather beyond its tail was missing. We then parked the bike in shade and moved towards the other side of the lake where there were trees and fields.

Conspicuous by their calls were the male Koel and Coppersmith Barbet. Pariah Kites were circling overhead, while a solitary Median Egret majestically landed on the lake. Close-by was a Pond Heron so beautifully camouflauged by its dull grayish-brown colour among the drying vegetation on the lake surface. And then we saw the beautiful Purple Moorhen.

In the spring foliage of nearby trees were seen birds like Long-tailed Shrike, Grey-backed Shrike and Indian Robin. Mahua in blossom, Shirish tree adorned by ripe pods, Flame Of The Forest (Palas) showing off its beautiful saffron flowers and Pongam tree (Karanj) were a sight that was soothing and peaceful. Even the Neem flowers were clearly visible, along with other huge trees like Banyan, Mango, Coral Tree (Pangara) and a type of wild tamarind called Vilayati Chinch in Marathi.
Unfortunately, we saw a lot of tree cutting that had been done recklessly for no apparent reason. It seems that we Indians have lost the reverence and love for all living creatures that we have been taught for generations by our ancient Vedic culture. Nilje railway station is close-by and falls on the Konkan Railway route. Already housing complexes are coming up on the other side of the station and it would be a matter of a couple of years before this urban onslaught swallows the verdant surroundings of Nilje Lake.

As we retraced back our steps with these unsettling thoughts, we were revived by some small and delicate wild flowers that were growing beside the path. A final glance towards the lake surface gave us another visual treat. There were Bronzed-winged Jacana on the lake and their shiny dorsal feathers were looking all the more beautiful in the sun!

As the sun became unbearable despite wearing caps, we hopped on to the bike and wishing that the Nilje Lake remains the way it is right now for generations to come, drove back to Dombivli. Delicious and soft idli-sambar made by my mother-in-law was waiting for us, complete with raw mango juice made by my wife Madhurika, after the three hours we spent in the sun. We had taken back with us seeds of Shirish and Indian Laburnum, which I later sowed in plastic bags in the balcony back in my house in Borivli. I hope that they sprout and grow well in a couple of months, so that I can transplant them on the roadside this monsoon. Thanks to Uday Dada, I discovered this Jewel in the crown of Dombivli.

-- Atul Sathe (© This content is under copyright and the author can be contacted on atulsathe@yahoo.com )