Mumbai to Delhi

Much of southern Thane has become urbanised due to high property prices in Mumbai which have encouraged people to move here.

Buildings are under constant construction in the cities of southern Thane to cater for the influx of residents from Mumbai.

Navi Mumbai is one of the fastest growing cities in Thane District, located opposite Mumbai across Thane Creek.

New buildings are springing up across Thane to cater for the influx of Mumbaikars.

The location of Thane District shown in blue in relation to Maharashtra state. Policy makers are considering splitting the district for easier governance.

The rapid growth of Thane pushes the boundaries of the cities up against the forests that characterise the district.

As land prices in Mumbai increase, people and businesses have migrated north into Thane District. The extent of urban growth can be seen in this satellite image.

Construction is rife across Thane District as more housing and office space is created for the district's booming population.

Urbanisation pushes into the tropical forests of Thane District.

The towns and cities in the south of Thane District are growing rapidly; the population increased by more than double the national average in the last 10 years.

The hilly forested landscape of Thane is punctuated by high rise buildings.

High rise buildings are built across southern Thane to cater for new residents from Mumbai.

New housing complexes are springing up across Thane District, pushing the limits of towns and cities into the rural landscape.

Jai Vilas Palace takes pride of place at the top of a hill overlooking Jawhar.

The imposing Jai Vilas Palace was built as a home for the Munke tribal royal family.

The landscape around Jawhar is predominantly forested, though areas of agriculture are also present.

The steep hillsides around Jawhar are covered in thick foliage. Large mammals such as leopards have been seen in the hills.

Tourists enjoy one of the many waterfalls in the hills around Jawhar.

Dense forests cover the hills and valleys of around Jawhar.

Built in the 1300s by the Munke king, the Jai Vilas Palace is the main tourist attraction in Jawhar.

Jai Vilas Palace was home to a tribal royal family for centuries.

The pink stone of the Jai Vilas Palace emerges from the hilltops.

Jawhar is surrounded by steep hills and cliffs covered in lush foliage.

The Dabhosa Falls near Jawhar fall nearly 100 metres. Many people trek through the forest to visit this impressive sight during the monsoon season.

A village in the hills around Jawhar.

The monsoon season extends from June to September, recharging the rivers and nourishing the forest.

Warli paintings are characterised by their geometric shapes and white paint against an ochre background.

A large Warli painting depicting different varieties of plants.

A Warli painting by artist Jivya Soma Mashe.

Warli paintings are traditionally done with white paint made from rice paste and water, painted on an ochre wall.

A painting of a tree in the traditional Warli style.

Painting a Warli design onto a cloth. The paintings would traditionally be painted on the walls of Warli huts.

Warli designs decorate bed sheets. The paintings can also be purchased on t-shirts and coasters.

An exhibition of Warli artist Jivya Soma Mashe.

A stylised Warli painting adorns the side of a building in Mumbai.