Shutdown of Maharashtra's Matheran affects tourists

The Matheran Paryatan Vachav Sangharsh Samiti (MPVSS), from 18 March, commenced an indefinite strike against increasing fraudulent activities targeting tourists and fleecing them. The hotel industry, e-rickshaw associations, traders, and social organisations have also announced their support.

Raigad: Matheran's hustling-bustling hill destination wears a deserted look. Located 108 km from downtown Mumbai and 120 km from Pune -at a height of 2,570 feet – in the Karjat tehsil of Raigad district of Maharashtra, it is the smallest hill station in India.

Matheran, which means “forest on the forehead”, was declared an eco-sensitive region in 2003 by the Ministry of Environment and Forest and is Asia's only automobile-free hill station.

One can do a lot of things here – walk, trek, mountaineering and rock climbing, valley crossing, night trails, bird watching and so on. The toy train in Matheran is also very popular.

Howver, on Tuesday, March 18, the Matheran Paryatan Vachav Sangharsh Samiti (MPVSS) commenced an indefinite strike against increasing fraudulent activities targeting tourists and fleecing them.

They alleged overcharging by touts and horse/pony operators at the Dasturi Naka entry point, which they say was heavily affecting tourism in the area.

Several people have agreed with them and the hotel industry, e-rickshaw associations, traders, and social organisations have also announced their support.

A peeved Rajesh Shah, a stock markets consultant from Malad, said he was forced to cancel a planned family (this) weekend outing to Matheran due to the strike.

He admitted that the pony rides have become more and more expensive almost every year, but sympathized with the horse owners and the creatures for whom it's a matter of sheer survival in these years of high inflation, with no other employment opportunities.

High-adrenaline adventurist Firdaus Irani, who drives on flashy motorcycles globally, said that Matheran has its own quaint, old-world charm, and is the closest 'cool' place near Mumbai.

"I prefer it more in monsoon when rain simply pours incessantly for days. Many regulars there want the amenities and local transportation to be improved keeping in mind its sensitive ecology," Irani said.

Veteran journo, Quaid Najmi who has been to Matheran innumerable times, swears by its monsoon charm and its rare distinction of being Asia's solo 'vehicle-free' hill destination, which must be preserved.

On the pony-owners' plight, he suggests the need for regulating the trade to ensure the livelihood for the men and their animals that make Matheran so unique.

Matheran was discovered in May 1850 by Hugh Poyntz Malet, the then-district collector of Thane. Lord Elphinstone, the then Governor of Bombay laid the foundations of the development as a future hill station.

The Britishers developed Matheran as a popular resort to beat the summer heat in the region. The Matheran Hill Railway - a popular toy train - was built in 1907 by Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy.