Aarey Reserved Forest, historically known as Aarey Milk Colony, is a vast green expanse located in Goregaon (East), Mumbai. Established in 1949 to centralise dairy operations and cattle grazing for the city, Aarey has evolved into one of Mumbai’s largest green spaces, covering nearly 3,000 acres (about 12 square kilometers).

Situated adjacent to Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Aarey forms a vital ecological buffer within Mumbai’s densely populated urban landscape. Its close proximity to suburban areas makes it a rare forest-like ecosystem inside a metropolitan city, often earning it the title of Mumbai’s “Green Lung” due to its role in improving air quality and supporting urban biodiversity.

Aarey encompasses diverse ecosystems including grasslands, marshes, riparian forests, and seasonal water bodies. These habitats support remarkable biological diversity, with over 290 documented wildlife species, including 16 mammal species, 76 bird species, 46 reptiles, 13 amphibians, and 86 butterfly species, along with numerous insects and arachnids.

Among its fauna, leopards have been recorded, highlighting Aarey’s importance as a site for human–wildlife coexistence within an urban environment. Other vulnerable species found here include the rusty-spotted cat, sambar deer, Alexandrine parakeet, and red-wattled lapwing—several of which are listed under the IUCN Red List.

Beyond its ecological value, Aarey holds deep cultural and social significance. The forest is home to around 27 tribal hamlets, inhabited by Adivasi communities such as the Katkaris, Mahadev Kolis, Mallar Kolis, and Warlis. Their traditional livelihoods are closely connected to forest resources, including wild fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, and small-scale agriculture.

Over the years, Aarey has been at the center of environmental debates related to conservation and urban development. Declared an eco-sensitive zone in 2016, the Maharashtra government later announced plans in 2020 to designate around 800 acres as reserved forest to enhance protection for wildlife and tribal rights—though aspects of this decision continue to be debated legally and publicly.

Ecologically, Aarey continues to function as a crucial green corridor linked to Sanjay Gandhi National Park, supporting wildlife movement and regulating Mumbai’s microclimate. However, challenges such as habitat fragmentation, waste dumping, grazing pressure, and encroachment remain key concerns for the long-term conservation of this invaluable urban forest.