THANE: Tucked away in the small hamlets within the Kalsubai-Harishchandragad belt, which is a bio-diversity rich hotspot, monsoon gives a visual treat to visitors as the forests in this belt light up thanks to fireflies Located approximately 150km away from Thane, this valley referred to as a fireflies' paradise by locals, has seen dozens of Thaneities flocking to it over the past few weeks.Popularly known as the fireflies' festival, biodiversity activists eagerly await the time period of May to June for the sighting of these insects. A nature lover, Anurag Gawde (22) from Mumbai, shared that the fireflies' festival was like stars dropping down on the ground and illuminating the vast expanse of the forests.Aditi Atul, a resident of Thane, said, "Camping in the tents under the glowing sky to witness the dance of a million fireflies is indeed a bliss to the eyes. To trek in the interiors of the forest land at night and to witness the illuminating fireflies alongside a row of trees on both the ends of the village road was a mesmerizing experience. The fireflies' groves looked like Christmas trees adorned with fairy lights."Just after the onset of the light monsoon showers, the villages in the area turn into a haven of fireflies. Assistant conservator of forest, Shivaji Thakare from Ahmednagar district, said, "From end of May onwards till June is the ultimate breeding time for these fireflies. Their life cycle starts when the first rains hit the ground. The fireflies' mating season typically lasts for around two weeks. Once the season kicks in, the male species begin to flash and try to attract the females. After laying their larvae, these nocturnal creatures are wiped off and then die immediately once heavy rainfall takes place. There are around 2,000 species of fireflies but the ones that are usually found aplenty in Maharashtra are called 'coleoptero' fireflies."While this natural spectacle in the villages in and around Bhandardhara, Akole, has been in existence since decades, locals claim that the phenomenon has gained popularity only in the recent years."Seven years ago, not many were aware of this unique festival, but now around 150 people from the city come on weekends during this season. One can also spot a variety of birds early in the mornings near the Balthan dam located in Akole," said Vimalbai Sahebrao Kondar, a local from Purushwadi village in Akole.

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