Every winter, it is not only the gulls, plovers, and sandpipers that migrate to Vasai’s wetlands. Tribes from the surrounding areas, including Warlis and Mahadev Kolis of Talasari and Charoti flock to the saltpans to find seasonal employment from November to March. These are the last remaining workers who make salt the traditional way in the coastal town. A walk near the Gokhivare village saltpans will introduce you to them before they return home.

Mahatma Gandhi at Dandi Beach during the Satyagraha.PIC COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS