Rani Bagh, a rich story in itself, and an under-rated landmark for Mumbai.
Much more than just a souvenir:
2013 witnessed the release of a landmark souvenir book for the Udyan, to commemorate 150 years of its rich but struggle filled journey. A coffee table format, visual (undoubtedly!) and detailed account of the biodiversity the Udyan successfully houses, its major struggles in the recent past and unique history of development in the British regime, the book is as resourceful as the Udyan and indeed an apt reference. The Frontline reviews the book and highlights this value: http://www.frontline.in/books/queen-of-gardens/article4897740.ece
The Hindustan Times shares similar excitement: http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/city-celebrates-150-years-of-rani-bagh-with-a-coffee-table-book/story-Uhj5BPgyHhq1uGrmVtRxzJ.html as do leading biodiversity publications like SanctuaryAsia.
http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/conservation/reviews/book-reviews/9275-rani-bagh-150-years-veermata-jijabai-bhosale-udyan-and-zoo.html
Looking into the troubled present:
If the struggle of the Save Rani Bagh Foundation is unsettling, there are many other concerns facing the Udyan advocates: for one the very basic question of how long its doors should remain open to visitors: Mumbai Live reported curtailing late evening entry to the Udyan as a recent contemplation.
https://www.mumbailive.com/en/civic/evening-walk-at-rani-baug-will-soon-be-history-11773
How does one go about with respect to the other identity of the Udyan, which has also been ailing since quite some time now? As the Indian Express has critiqued rather clearly, the bizarrely ambitious plan of the BMC in upgrading the zoo to international standards is far from realistic and is likely to do the Udyan only harm.
Mumbai’s future?
The need for urban oases that are open, accessible at the same time biodiverse has been voiced time and again. The Udyan has always been difficult in that it has been far beyond merely an open space, or manicured and green in the apparent sense. As much of the above account overviews, it is home to significantly diverse botanical richness more often seen in naturally existing habitats and forests. http://www.theweek.in/features/society/mumbai-needs-open-spaces.html