DOWNTOWNPLUS: The Oval Delight: August 01, 2008 | Locality News

And it would be a sad revelation to this intelligent race called mankind that true heritage lies in natural spaces such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as well as unprotected wetlands, marshes, deserts, forests or in the urban context - our public parks. It is appalling to see that with an abysmal open space ratio of 0.03 acres/1000 persons against a recommended 4 acres/1000 persons, we yet want to convert our open spaces into parking lots, malls and all sorts of permanently dead structures.

Given this background, consider a 22-acre patch of green, framed from all four sides by the Maharshi Karve Road (Queens Road) and Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Marg (Mayo Road)) and heritage buildings such as the High Court, Rajabai Tower, University of Mumbai, the Sessions Court, Post Office to the east and an entire series of high-end residential buildings to the west. This is the verdant and bustling Oval Maidan, situated next to the Churchgate station and overlooking the Eros Cinema. With a Grade 1 listing, the Oval Maidan is one of the few ‘living’ spaces in the city that has been granted a heritage status.

Before the demolition of the Fort in 1860, the Oval Maidan along with Azad and Cross Maidans were a part of one huge expanse of open ground known as the Esplanade. Hardly anybody knows that the Oval Maidan is a designated water-harvesting centre, adding to our city’s water reserves.

The walking/jogging track doubles up as a fantastic bird-watching path for ardent naturalists. Nests of Common Mynas, Rose-ringed Parakeets, the ubiquitous House Crow and Magpie Robin are not uncommon. But during the evenings, one can usually spot the stealthy Barn Owl doing its rounds, looking for rats and field mice.

The Oval Maidan, although set bang in the middle of streets with the fast pace of office-goers, is always thronged with butterflies attracted to the yellow stars of Wedalia trilobata (Water Zinnia).

Jezebels, Tailed Jay, Common Mormon, an occasional Grass Demon or Cerulean, as well as the floating Grass Yellows are often found in the area. It’s a delight to walk through this park.

The Koels go crazy during the spring and the rare Peregrine Falcon does an occasional dive at the Rock Pigeons. The park also does get its sporadic Rat Snake or Cobra that unfortunately sets off panic among the passers-by.

However, the need of the hour for a good urbanite is to panic over the conversion of our nature heritage sites like the Oval Maidan into dead patches, which have neither natural splendour nor the delightful chirping of the birds.