(Left to right) Leo, Bella and Lily

Mumbai: The Humboldt penguin colony at Mumbai’s Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo has grown from 21 to 25, with the civic body revealing that four chicks born over the past year have now been declared healthy and added to the public count.Zoo officials said the births were deliberately kept under wraps until the chicks were stable. A male penguin, Pikachu, was born in Oct 2025, followed by a female, Lily, in Jan 2026. Two more chicks, Leo and Bella, were born in Feb.Zoo officials said Pikachu, Leo and Bella are the offspring of penguins Donald and Daisy, while Lily was born to Popeye and Olive.With the latest additions, the existing penguin enclosure has reached its designed capacity of 25 birds, prompting the zoo authorities to plan an expansion of the facility.Officials said the current penguin habitat, spread over around 2,000 sq ft, will be expanded to 3,000 sq ft, increasing its capacity from 25 to 40 penguins. The expansion will be achieved by integrating an adjoining space within the existing facility, and work for the project is already underway.During the integration, likely to begin towards the end of the year, all 25 penguins may be shifted to the zoo’s quarantine facility for about two to three months. Officials said the penguin exhibit is likely to remain closed to visitors during this period.The growing penguin population has also prompted the zoo to explore relocating some birds. Officials said the zoo had approached other zoological parks across the country, initially proposing exchanges and later even offering penguins as donations. However, there has been little interest.“The infrastructure required to house Humboldt penguins is highly specialised and expensive. Maintaining the habitat involves advanced temperature control, water filtration and veterinary care, which many zoos are not equipped for,” a civic official said.In July 2023, the BMC had written to Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad, listing one male and one female Humboldt penguin among seven species proposed for exchange. However, no proposal has materialised so far.The penguins, introduced to Byculla Zoo in 2016 from South Korea, have emerged as the zoo’s biggest attraction, drawing thousands of visitors every week and contributing significantly to its revenue.

Mumbai: In the wake of a spate of tree fall incidents during the recent heavy rain spell, BMC has initiated work on a scientific action plan to classify Mumbai’s trees based on their risk level and create a comprehensive database on their health, age and structural condition.At a meeting held at the BMC headquarters, the civic administration, tree experts, botanists and environmentalists discussed conducting a ward-wise survey of trees with the help of botany students and experts. The survey will classify roadside trees as highly hazardous, hazardous or healthy, based on their condition and structural stability.The BMC will also explore whether mechanically supporting roadside trees that have developed a dangerous lean can help prevent accidents.An 11-year-old boy, Vihaan Srivastava, died on June 30 when a tree came crashing down on the school bus that he was travelling in.Civic data shows that 830 trees fell across Mumbai between June 22 and July 6, including 480 on private properties, following spells of strong winds. During the same period, the city also recorded 1,238 branch-fall incidents, of which 709 occurred on private plots.Officials said the proposed survey would help create a scientific database containing details such as the tree’s species, age, health, structural condition, estimated lifespan and other relevant parameters. The data is expected to guide future pruning, maintenance and risk mitigation measures.The meeting also recommended preparing a handbook on tree conservation and maintenance for citizens and civic officials, while emphasising that compensatory plantation for trees felled due to development projects should, as far as possible, take place within Mumbai using suitable native species and adequate growing space.Another key proposal was to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for scientific pruning of trees, adopt modern equipment and provide regular training to civic staff. The BMC also plans to frame guidelines for pruning trees located on private properties.Experts stressed that whenever a tree falls, the focus should be on scientifically investigating the underlying causes—including soil conditions, root health, drainage, available space for root growth and structural stability—instead of merely removing the fallen tree.The meeting also discussed developing biodiversity zones across the city, identifying suitable locations for roadside plantations, increasing bamboo plantations where feasible and preparing long-term tree management strategies keeping climate change in mind.Officials said the suggestions would be examined before a detailed action plan is finalised and implemented in phases.

Western Railway will seek the Defence Ministry’s approval for the transfer of the land identified for the project. (File Photo)

MUMBAI: Western Railway is planning to propose the setting up of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s largest long-distance railway terminal at Kandivali, a project aimed at easing congestion at Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus while creating capacity for 54 additional mail and express trains every day.The proposal is still in the formulation stage internally, and it is learnt that once it is finalised, Western Railway will seek the Defence Ministry’s approval for the transfer of the land identified for the project.Sources in the Railways said the new terminal could cater to around one lakh additional passengers daily and improve connectivity for travellers heading to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Around 80% of Mumbai’s long-distance trains currently originate from or terminate at Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus, leaving little room to introduce new services.The proposed terminal is planned on a 1,100-metre by 400-metre plot near Kandivali Goods Yard, which railway officials say is large enough to accommodate nine platforms, pit lines and train maintenance facilities. The land, however, belongs to the Defence Ministry. A joint inspection of the site was conducted on February 11, 2025, following which the Railways submitted a formal proposal seeking its transfer.A second parcel measuring 700 metres by 600 metres between Kandivali and Malad has also been identified. Owing to its smaller size, it is proposed to be used for supporting infrastructure such as stabling and pit lines.According to the plan, the terminal will have nine platforms, each 625 metres long, six additional railway lines for train stabling and maintenance, and a 750-metre passenger deck above the platforms. The facility will also have direct connectivity to Kandivali railway station, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway and the city’s road network.“We need new terminals to increase the number of long-distance trains serving the Mumbai region. The Kandivali proposal will also be discussed with the Defence Ministry,” said a senior official, requesting anonymity.

Mumbai: The nodal cyber police have registered an FIR against unidentified fraudsters for creating fake websites and email addresses resembling those of Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd (MHRIL) and offering membership upgrades and annual subscription fee discounts.The MHRIL operates hospitality services across India through its official website, clubmahindra.com, offering membership packages ranging from Rs 1.60 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. Members are required to pay an annual renewal subscription of Rs 18,000 to Rs 22,000.The fraud came to light on June 23, after a Club Mahindra member, Rajtesh Ganguly, informed the company that he had paid Rs 1.26 lakh on May 16 for membership upgrade but had received no confirmation. An internal verification showed that the company had neither received the payment nor any request for the upgrade. Police said several others had also been duped.The company’s IT team subsequently detected and blocked a fraudulent domain, mahindraholidaysandresorts.com. However, investigators found that another deceptive domain, mahindraholidaysandresort.com, was registered the very next day.The complaint states that fraudsters used the fake email address and posed as company representatives, including a person identifying himself as ‘Suniel’ using mobile and another claiming to be relationship manager ‘Manish Pandey’. They allegedly contacted existing Club Mahindra members with false offers of discounted annual subscription fees and membership upgrades.Several customers, including Shashi Sharma, Mohit Saxena, Asit Rana, Ajay Agarwal, Nimal Goyal and Pradeep Bohra, reportedly transferred money after being deceived. Police said the money was routed through third-party payment gateways. The company clarified that these gateways are not authorised to collect membership fees or annual subscription fees on its behalf.The complaint further alleges that the accused created fake electronic records and impersonated company officials as part of a criminal conspiracy to cheat customers.

A farmer tilling the soil with a hand tool as others plough their fields using bullocks at Karad, in Satara district, Maharashtra. (PTI Photo)

MUMBAI: A rare convergence of an Adhik Jyeshtha month in the Hindu calendar and a powerful Super El Niño has raised concerns over the progress of this year’s monsoon in Maharashtra, with an analysis of historical data suggesting an increased risk of delayed rains and below-normal rainfall.The analysis, based on 76 years of data from 1951 to 2026, was initiated by Ketan Pathak, media advisor to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, using artificial intelligence platforms Claude and ChatGPT to study past climate patterns. While the findings point to a historical correlation, they do not establish that the astronomical event itself causes weak monsoons.For millions of farmers, urban residents and water managers across Maharashtra, the timing and intensity of the monsoon determine everything from crop sowing and drinking water availability to reservoir levels, hydropower generation and relief from prolonged summer heat.According to the analysis, an Adhik Maas—an extra lunar month inserted roughly every three years to synchronise the lunar and solar calendars—may influence the seasonal calendar when it occurs early in the year as Adhik Jyeshtha. This effectively extends the peak summer period before the southwest monsoon normally advances over the state.Pathak said the prolonged Jyeshtha period lengthens the intense pre-monsoon heat, increases aridity and may contribute to a delay in the onset of seasonal winds. “This is a profound observation rooted in traditional knowledge that aligns with modern meteorology. An Adhik Jyeshtha inherently extends the intense pre-monsoon summer, compounding dry conditions and delaying the monsoon’s arrival,” he said.The concern becomes greater when such an extended dry spell coincides with El Niño—a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean that has long been associated with weaker Indian monsoons. El Niño events do not invariably produce drought, but they are recognised as one of the factors that can suppress rainfall over the Indian subcontinent.The historical assessment found that, of the 76 years studied, 28 witnessed an Adhik Maas, 22 were El Niño years, and both events coincided in 12 years. Of these 12 overlapping years, only five recorded normal rainfall, while seven experienced deficient rainfall or drought conditions, suggesting a historical probability of about 58% of below-normal rainfall during such years.The study also noted that the risk appeared higher when the extra lunar month fell early in the monsoon cycle—during Jyeshtha or Ashadha—than when it occurred later in Shravan or Bhadrapada.With Maharashtra already witnessing weather uncertainties this season, the findings are likely to fuel interest in how traditional calendar observations may complement scientific climate analysis. However, meteorologists generally emphasise that the strength and distribution of the southwest monsoon depend on multiple interacting factors, including ocean temperatures, atmospheric circulation and regional weather systems. They caution that seasonal rainfall cannot be forecast on the basis of any single parameter alone.

Mumbai: Eleven teachers from two convent schools in Santacruz (East) were booked on Wednesday for not reporting for duty as booth level officers (BLOs) as part of the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise to verify the voter list.The case was registered on a complaint received from Bandu Raut (56), assistant electoral registration officer (ERO), appointed for assembly constituency number 175, which comes under Kalina in Santacruz (East), after he said none of the teachers responded to his summons notice issued on July 7.“The teachers were booked under the Representation of the People Act Section 32 for breach of official duty in connection with the preparation of electoral rolls and under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 223 for intentional disobedience of a lawful order promulgated by a public servant. Notices will be served and their statements will be recorded,” said a police officer of the Vakola police station.Raut in the FIR said that a reminder was sent to teachers for participating in the process on July 7. “They deliberately disobeyed the orders. Therefore, the ERO and deputy collector, Mumbai suburban, have authorised me to file a complaint,” said Raut in the FIR.The electoral office had instructed the teachers to be present for the BLO work at the booth or polling centre by 10 am, which is during school working hours. Except for a junior clerk, the 11 teachers from the two schools remained absent from duty by disobeying the lawful orders of ERO, said the FIR.One of the 11 teachers told TOI on Friday that being assigned election-related work at this stage would disrupt classes, as they are already struggling to complete the syllabus ahead of the exams. Most of the teachers booked are teaching Class 10 students.The teachers who spoke to TOI said that many of them were under tremendous stress and they were struggling to manage teaching as well as BLO duty. “We even end up shouting at students, and parents are also questioning us for not completing the syllabus. Teachers said they were also not relieved by the schools from their daily teaching work, which starts early in the day and lasts till late afternoon.Another teacher, Shaikh Yasin Mohammad, told TOI, “I have been on medical leave for the last two weeks. and submitted the medical report of my surgery. I have been granted leave and was told that I am exempted for the BLO work.”Two teachers said the electoral office did not accept their written submission explaining their problems.“No one is even ready to listen to us. Only notices are issued to us for and finally an FIR is registered against us without realising that we have to complete our portions as exams are nearing and parents are complaining that we are not giving time to students and not completing the subjects,” said Ajay Khaire, an assistant teacher.Another assistant teacher, Suresh Sahu said, “The collector accepted our submissions. But the election office is not ready to listen. We are ready to do BLO work if they are ready to give relaxation in the school duties. At present we are leaving our home early in the morning and completing school work till late afternoon. The additional BLO work is taking a toll on our health and even the stress is shown by way of shouting at students for no reason. We are unable to take care of our family. Parents are shouting at us for not covering portions properly as exams are nearing.”A school teacher from Vikhroli was admitted to hospital on Monday after allegedly attempting suicide by consuming sleeping pills.In June, three separate FIRs were registered against 14 school teachers from educational institutions in Borivli and Dahisar for not turning up for special intensive revision (SIR) duty and violating govt orders.

Pune/Mumbai: The rift in the NCP leadership showed signs of widening as just two days after the party’s working president Praful Patel and state chief Sunil Tatkare met CM Devendra Fadnavis without the knowledge of party chief Sunetra Pawar, her elder son and Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar met the CM on Thursday.Amid speculation that Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) may be tilting towards the NDA, the party’s former state chief Jayant Patil, who, like Patel and Tatkare, had also met Fadnavis on Tuesday night, conducted another meeting, this time with deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, on Thursday night. Patil said on Friday that his meeting with Shinde was to discuss the disqualification of the president of Urun-Ishwarpur municipal council (from Sangli district). He had earlier said his meeting with the CM was to discuss the same issue.The series of meetings of politicians of the rival NCP groups with the CM and Dy CM has created a flutter in Maharashtra’s politics.On Parth’s meeting with Fadnavis, Tatkare on Friday said he was not aware about it. He added, “Parth is a young leader of our party, and he represents NCP in Rajya Sabha. I do not see anything odd in him meeting the CM.”The NCP is keen on getting a ministerial berth at the Centre if the NDA govt goes in for a cabinet reshuffle. According to sources, both Praful Patel and Parth Pawar are interested in a ministerial post, but there is no consensus on the matter in the party. In recent months, the rift between Sunetra Pawar and Parth on one side and Patel and Tatkare on the other has become increasingly apparent. Several within the party are also said to be unhappy with Parth, who has been tightening his grip on NCP affairs.Exposing the divide within, a letter written by NCP’s state vice-president Udaykumar Aher on July 13 to Dy CM Sunetra Pawar came to light on Friday. Aher suggested in the letter that Sunetra should request PM Modi that Parth be considered for a berth during expansion of the Union cabinet. Aher alleged that some within the party were trying to “spread misconceptions” about Parth with the aim of ending his political career.The letter stated, “Unfortunately misconceptions are being spread by certain individuals within our own ranks that Parth dada is incapable of delivering justice either to the party or the people. This is an open secret.” It added, “It is wrong to spread such misunderstandings about a leader who is only 38 years old and attempt to end his political career even before it even truly begins.”The letter also said that “an image has been created that Parth Pawar lacks political maturity.” Aher said that after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, which Parth lost, “deliberate efforts were made to demoralise him. He said he had requested Ajit Pawar to give him an appropriate opportunity, and he had decided to give him a “major responsibility.”Aher stated Parth’s inclusion in the Union cabinet would be a fitting response to those spreading allegations and misconceptions.The proximity of NCP (SP) with NDA members has also sparked fresh discussion on the possibility of a merger of the two NCP groups. Tatkare, who had earlier denied any such meetings on the merger, recently changed his stance and said he was aware of the discussion. The state NCP chief on Friday hinted further political developments were possible when he said that politics was never stagnant.NCP (SP) working president and MP Supriya Sule indicated two days ago that the party would consider supporting the NDA govt’s delimitation bill in Parliament if 50% of Lok Sabha seats are increased in all states across the country. Speaking about the possibility of some MPs from the opposition parties supporting the bill, Tatkare said changes in the political scenario could never be ruled out.“During the last Parliament session, the opposition showed unity and managed to keep 230 votes intact to defeat the bill. However, even before the next session, their votes are already split (with a number of TMC, Shiv Sena UBT MPs switching over). The political scenario always keeps changing, and nobody knows what lies ahead one-and-a-half months from now,” Tatkare said.