Located along the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats at an elevation of approximately 800 meters (2,625 feet) in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, Matheran is globally celebrated as Asia’s only automobile-free hill station. Located roughly 90 km from Mumbai and 120 km from Pune, this compact plateau spans a mere 7 square kilometers. Its name appropriately translates from local dialects to "forest on the forehead" of the mountains, characterizing its dense evergreen canopy, unique red laterite soil, and rich biodiversity.
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Colonial Discovery and Historic Railway Infrastructure
Matheran was "discovered" in May 1850 by Hugh Poyntz Malet, the then District Collector of Thane, during a regional expedition. Recognizing its refreshing microclimate, Lord Elphinstone, Governor of the Bombay Presidency, laid the foundation for its development as a quiet summer retreat to escape the sweltering heat of the plains.
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Above image: Nestled in the beautiful Western Ghats, Matheran was first discovered by the then District Collector of Thane, Hugh Poyntz Malet in May 1850. Then, the Governor of Bombay Lord Elphinstone took keen interest to develop the hill station as a summer resort and later he laid the foundation of this future hill station’s development. Between October to May is the best period to visit this place.Horses are a traditional mode of transport here. Local horsemen offer rides to various points, and it is a fun way to cover more scenic places if you have short time to spend on the hill..............
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Engineering & Construction: Financed between 1901 and 1907 by visionary philanthropist Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy and engineered by his son Abdul Hussain, the track cuts through dense forest, climbing steep gradients and negotiating sharp horseshoe bends and the famous "One Kiss Tunnel."The Narrow gauge Track covers 21 km from the plain (Neral Junction) to Matheran Hill station passing through one tunnel and 38 view points up hill.
UNESCO Heritage Pursuit: Managed by Central Railway, this historic light railway remains on India’s tentative list for inclusion under the Mountain Railways of India UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Strict Ecological Mandate and Biodiversity
In 2002, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) declared Matheran an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). To prevent air and noise pollution, all private motorized vehicles are strictly prohibited beyond Dasturi Naka, 3 km from the town center. Visitors explore its 38 designated vantage points—such as Panorama Point, Louisa Point, and Echo Point—on foot, horseback, or via hand-pulled rickshaws.
The plateau's semi-evergreen forests harbor incredible flora and fauna, including the endangered Malabar giant squirrel (Ratufa indica), leopards, barking deer, wild boars, and endemic medicinal plants, alongside large populations of bonnet macaques and Hanuman langurs.
Latest Status and Modern Conservation Efforts
Today, Matheran balances ecological preservation with sustainable tourism management:
Clean Transit Innovations: To alleviate the physical burden on human rickshaw pullers while keeping the zero-emission mandate, eco-friendly e-rickshaws have been introduced on a controlled pilot basis following Supreme Court guidelines.
Rail Line Rehabilitation: Following severe monsoon damage in recent years, Central Railway undertook extensive slope stabilization, crash-guard installations, and track strengthening using concrete sleepers to ensure safe, year-round operation of the toy train.
Environmental Protections: Local municipal authorities and environmental groups actively enforce strict plastic bans, soil erosion management along unpaved laterite tracks, and eco-sensitive waste processing to safeguard the delicate Western Ghats ecosystem.
Ref
Akolkar, A.B., et al. Environmental Management Plan for Eco-Sensitive Zone of Matheran, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Research Bulletin, 2006.
Bhandari, R.R. Matheran Light Railway: Golden Jubilee Commemorative Volume, Central Railway Publications, 2007.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Gazette Notif
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matheran
Selected articles from my Archive:
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2017/09/kalka-shima-railway-line-amazing-world.html
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2017/09/col-barog-forgotten-british-engineer.html
K. N. Jayaraman Ph. D (1977) Univ. of Washington, Seattle. Retd Earth Scientist. Vocational Interest: Indian Colonial history, architecture of heritage structures,colonial buildings,temples,etc. (Author: navrangindia.blogspot.com )
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