For a Mumbaikar, the cool breeze and the sight of trees in every direction can feel like fantasy visual. Actor and theatre personality Rupesh Tillu wanted to create a similar space where people could experience that connection with nature. For this, about six years ago, he bought a patch of land near Jawhar, around 120 kilometres from Mumbai, and named it Fool’s Paradise, envisioning it as an artist residency where people could work amid nature. Today, the same location is also home to a mini forest of nearly 600 native trees across more than 50 species.

With a keen interest in nature, Tillu discovered the Miyawaki method during the pandemic and with help from local residents and 22 artistes from Mumbai, he developed the forest as a shared community effort.