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← Older revision		Revision as of 00:10, 8 October 2023
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	Matheran has a narrow gauge railway station in the town center. The old [[Matheran Hill Railway]] offers several daily trains to Neral.		Matheran has a narrow gauge railway station in the town center. The old [[Matheran Hill Railway]] offers several daily trains to Neral.

	The toy train is connected to the mainline rail route at the Neral Junction. Mini train or toy train service started between Neral and Matheran from ~~22nd~~ October 2022. The train between the Aman lodge and Matheran is also in place at intervals of approximately every hour having approximately 85 seats.		The toy train is connected to the mainline rail route at the Neral Junction. Mini train or toy train service started between Neral and Matheran from 22 October 2022. The train between the Aman lodge and Matheran is also in place at intervals of approximately every hour having approximately 85 seats.

	Presently 2 up and 2 down train service has been started.		Presently 2 up and 2 down train service has been started.

Kamal Guha: One category less

2023-07-29T12:55:32Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 18:25, 29 July 2023
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	{{Authority control}}		{{Authority control}}

	~~[[Category:Tourism in Maharashtra]]~~
	[[Category:Hill stations in Maharashtra]]		[[Category:Hill stations in Maharashtra]]
	[[Category:Cities and towns in Raigad district]]		[[Category:Cities and towns in Raigad district]]
	[[Category:Mountains of the Western Ghats]]		[[Category:Mountains of the Western Ghats]]
	[[Category:Tourist attractions in Raigad district]]		[[Category:Tourist attractions in Raigad district]]

imported>Motivation creator at 16:32, 27 August 2021

2021-08-27T16:32:57Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Matheran
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Hill station<br/>[[Mumbai Metropolitan Region|Mumbai Metropolitan City]]
| image_skyline = Matheran-map.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Detailed map of Matheran
| pushpin_map = India Maharashtra
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Maharashtra, India
| coordinates = {{coord|18.9866|N|73.2679|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = Raigad
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Municipal governance in India|Municipal Council]]
| governing_body = Matheran Hill Station Municipal Council
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 7
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 800
| population_total = 5139
| population_as_of = 2001
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_title2 = Spoken
| demographics1_info1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| demographics1_info2 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 410102
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 02148
| registration_plate = MH-46
| blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Karjat]]
| website =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Matheran''' is a [[hill station]] and a [[municipal council]] in [[Karjat]] [[Tahsil]] in the [[Raigad district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Maharashtra]]. Matheran is part of the [[Mumbai Metropolitan Region]]. Matheran is one of the smallest hill stations in India. It is located on the [[Western Ghats]] range at an elevation of around 800 m (2,625 feet) above [[sea level]]. It is about 90 km from [[Mumbai]], and 120 km from [[Pune]]. Matheran's proximity to many metropolitan cities makes it a weekend getaway for urban residents.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}
''Matheran'', which means "forest on the forehead" (of the mountains) is an eco-sensitive region, declared by the [[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]], [[Government of India]]. It is Asia's only automobile-free hill station.<ref>{{cite book|title=Seminar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8NwUAQAAIAAJ|access-date=8 July 2013|year=2003|publisher=R. Thapar}}</ref><ref name="Agarwal1991">{{cite book|author=Shyam Kishor Agarwal|title=Automobile pollution: concerns, priorities, and challenges|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AMQkSiM0lhgC&pg=PA91|access-date=8 July 2013|year=1991|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-7024-414-1|page=91}}</ref>

There are around 38 designated look-out "points" (viewpoints) in Matheran, including the Panorama Point that provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding area and also the [[Neral, India|Neral]] town. Louisa Point has views of Prabal Fort. Other viewpoints include One Tree Hill Point, Heart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine Point, and Rambagh Point. There are many hotels and Parsi bungalows in the area. Old British-style architecture is preserved in Matheran.<ref>http://raigad.nic .in/DG/1964/places_Matheran.html</ref> The roads are not metalled and are made of [[red]] [[laterite]] earth.

'''''<u>Peak time to visit</u>'''''<ref>{{Cite web|title=makemytrip.com|url=https://www.makemytrip.com/travel-guide/matheran/best-time-to-visit.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Though Matheran has a pleasant climate throughout the year, the best time to visit is between October and May. Here’s a seasonal breakup of the year so you can plan your trip accordingly.

October to November: This is when the monsoon has just retreated and the temperature is cool and perfect for sightseeing.

December to February: The winter months are cool with the temperature usually staying above 11°C. It’s a great time to visit and is particularly popular with couples on their honeymoon. While the days are mostly sunny, evenings and early mornings tend to get a bit chilly so you should carry light woolens.

March to May: While the highest temperature can go over 35°C during the day, it’s quite pleasant in general and the weather is suitable for sightseeing, trekking trails and other adventure activities.

June to September: The monsoon season sees heavy rainfall in the region making outdoor activities a bit of a challenge. But with very few tourists around at this time, you can enjoy the peaceful rain showers and freshly washed green surroundings at peace. This is also the time when Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in Maharashtra, so you can make the most of the holidays and participate in the festivities in Matheran.

==Soil and rocks==
Geographically the rock types are solely composed of Deccan trap with inter trappeans of Cretaceous, Eoceuerage and laterites of still younger age. The rock is basalt, which has given rise to secondary alteration known as laterite. The laterite predominates in the hills and almost cover the hilltops, therefore in the hill region the hard exposed surfaces of the laterite shows red gravelly earth. The soil has a vermicular or pisolitic structure and contains much water. Over almost the whole hill-top there is little soil cover. The topmost layer of rock is a soft porous iron-clay, through which, by the beginning of the hot season, the whole rainfall has drained.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

== History ==
[[File:Matheran India Map 1911.jpg|thumb|Matheran in 1911]]
Matheran was identified by Hugh Poyntz Malet, the then [[district collector]] of [[Thane]] district in May 1850. [[John Elphinstone, 13th Lord Elphinstone|Lord Elphinstone]], the then [[Bombay Presidency|Governor of Bombay]] laid the foundations of the development as a future hill station. The [[British Empire|British]] developed Matheran as a resort to beat the summer heat in the region. Matheran is the birthplace of freedom fighter [[Veer Bhai Kotwal]]. He was born on 1 December 1912 in a Barber family. The state government has built a monument in his memory.
The [[Matheran Hill Railway]] was built in 1907 by Sir [[Adamjee Peerbhoy]] and covers a distance of {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}}, over large swathes of forest territory. The Matheran hill railway, also known as Matheran Light Railway (MLR), was inspected by [[UNESCO]] world heritage site officials but failed to make it to the list as a World Heritage Site. India's other Hill Railways like the [[Darjeeling]] Railway, the [[Kangra Valley]] Railway, [[Nilgiri Mountains|Nilgiri Mountain]] Railway are already on the list.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rangnekar | first=Prashant |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/neralmatheran-misses-world-heritage-site-target/655167/ |title=Neral-Matheran misses world heritage site target |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |date=3 August 2010 |access-date=9 September 2012}}</ref>

==Forest and vegetation==

The forest type of Matheran is semi evergreen forests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nrsc.gov.in/Forest_Types|title=Forest Types - National Remote Sensing Centre|website=NRSC.gov.in|access-date=30 October 2017}}</ref> The trees are evergreen, making the plateau forests very dense and even congested in places. The laterite, porous soil along with very heavy rainfall mixed with dense fog for 4-5 has resulted in unique flora rich in diversity on the plateau. The forests show vegetation in top, middle and ground storey. The trees form a cover over large variety of shade loving herbs, climbers, ferns and mosses. The forests of Matheran have attracted many botanists who have studied the flora of Matheran: Smyth J.Y.(1871), Birdwood H.M. (1886) and (1896), Cooke T. (1887–1901), Woodrow G.M. (1897-1901), Irani N.A.(1962), Satyanarayann & Mudliar (1959), Vartak, V.D.(1966), Kothari & Moorthy (1993).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_h21AAAAIAAJ|title=Flora of Raigad District, Maharashtra State|first1=M. J.|last1=Kothari|first2=S.|last2=Moorthy|date=30 October 1993|publisher=Botanical Survey of India|access-date=30 October 2017|via=Google Books}}</ref> A good collection of the dried plants is deposited in [[Blatter Herbarium]], [[St. Xavier's College, Bombay]], Mumbai. Matheran has a huge number of medicinal plants and herbs. Matheran was declared an [[Eco-Sensitive Zone|Eco-Sensitive zone]] (ESZ) by the Union Environment Ministry on 4 February 2003<ref>https://mmrda.maharashtra.gov.in/documents/10180/760410/Notification+MoEF+Matheran+Eco-Sensitive+Zone.pdf/ff47de8c-59dd-498e-81f8-a82133578839?version=1.0</ref> and can be called a health [[sanatorium]] in itself.The declaration as ESZ has led to the stoppage of developmental activities and construction of hazardous industries.<ref>http://mahenvis.nic.in/pdf/Newsletter/nletter_Matheran%20-Ecologically%20Sensitive%20Hill%20Station%20of%20Maharashtra.pdf</ref>

===Conservation===
The vegetation of the area depends on the type and depth of the soil. Due to poor soil depth, the vegetation on the edges of the plateaus is poor. Due to heavy rainfall, dissected hilly terrain and excessive leaching of the soil, the exposed areas become less fertile and become less moisture retentive, resulting in shallow rooted vegetation. It is required to plant trees to protect the soil cover from losing its valuable humidity and fertility. The winds are very strong and blow from west or southwest during monsoon and also dry winds blow during the three months from January to March. These winds tend to shear and bend the plant parts and absorb the moisture from the plants.

==Wildlife==
The town also has a large [[monkey]] population, including [[bonnet macaque]]s and [[gray langur|Hanuman langurs]]. Domesticated horses for riding are also in large numbers and are one of the symbols of Matheran. Inside the forest animals like [[barking deer]], [[Malabar giant squirrel]], [[fox]], [[wild boar]], [[mongoose]] may be found. But these animals are rare in numbers compared to monkeys and usually do not venture where humans are present. So most likely one does not come across them. There have been reports of leopard sightings in Matheran few times in last decade. Leopards are not known to dwell in Matheran. But due to dense forests in valleys surrounding Matheran leopards who are on the roam may climb Matheran. Nowadays leopard sightings by locals are extremely rare due to dwindling leopard population in general all over the country. There has been no known incidence of leopard attacks in Matheran.

== Demographics ==
{{As of|2001}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=1 November 2008|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Matheran had a population of 5139. Males constitute 58% of the population and females 42%. Matheran has an average literacy rate of 71%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 66%. In Matheran, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Languages spoken include [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Hindi]], and [[Indian English|English]].

== Geography ==
Matheran is located at {{coord|18.98|N|73.27|E|type:city}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Matheran.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Matheran, India|website=www.FallingRain.com|access-date=30 October 2017}}</ref> It has an average elevation of 800 metres (2,625 feet). Matheran lies in an elevated region, has a cooler and less humid climate which makes it popular during the summer months. Temperatures range from 32 °[[Celsius|C]] (90 °[[Fahrenheit|F]]) to 16 °C (61 °F).

{{Weather box
|location= Matheran
|metric first= yes
|single line= yes

|Jan high C= 28
|Feb high C= 30
|Mar high C= 31
|Apr high C= 32
|May high C= 33
|Jun high C= 32
|Jul high C= 30
|Aug high C= 30
|Sep high C= 29
|Oct high C= 33
|Nov high C= 31
|Dec high C= 29

|Jan low C= 13
|Feb low C= 14
|Mar low C= 16
|Apr low C= 19
|May low C= 22
|Jun low C= 22
|Jul low C= 21
|Aug low C= 21
|Sep low C= 20
|Oct low C= 19
|Nov low C= 17
|Dec low C= 13

|Jan precipitation mm= 2.0
|Feb precipitation mm= 1.5
|Mar precipitation mm= 2.3
|Apr precipitation mm= 4.1
|May precipitation mm= 25.1
|Jun precipitation mm= 773.9
|Jul precipitation mm= 2035.6
|Aug precipitation mm= 1461.0
|Sep precipitation mm= 658.6
|Oct precipitation mm= 168.1
|Nov precipitation mm= 31.5
|Dec precipitation mm= 3.8

|source= [http://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/KOLABA/gen_climate.html Government of Maharashtra]
|date= May 2012
}}

==Trekking routes ==

Matheran has various trekking routes. All routes are easy from climbing difficulty point of view:

1) Sunset Point is the route from Dodhani village to Sunset Point. This is the most popular route for trekkers. Dodhani village is about 45 minutes by State Transport bus from Panvel.

2) Garbett Point Route is the route that starts from Sagachiwadi a small tribal village near to Dhom dam. This village can be approached from Bhivpuri Road Railway Station. This is the second most popular route. Garbett point is the least visited point in Matheran because it is very far away from market compared to other points. Mostly there is always no one at Garbett point even during peak season. The vast green stretch of Garbett plateau is major attraction during Monsoon season.<ref name="Mid day">{{cite news |last1=Uchil |first1=Shraddha |title=Trek To Matheran: 3 Routes You Must Try If You Are An Avid Trekker |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/matheran-hill-station-trekking-hiking-pokharwadi-to-rambaug-point-ambewadi-to-one-tree-hill-burujwadi-to-beatrice-cliff/18615196 |access-date=3 January 2020 |agency=Mid Day |issue=Mumbai |publisher=Mid-Day Infomedia Ltd |date=29 September 2017}}</ref>

3) Rambaug Point Route is the Rambaug point is a small and popular point near One tree hill point. This route goes from Rambaug point to a small village called Pokharwadi near Chowk village. The route passes through a waterfall during rainy season

4) '''One Tree Hill''' - The route base village is Ambewadi village. Ambewadi is near pokharwadi village, where route to Rambaug point begins. There is a view of Morbe Dam's backwater while going through Rambaug and One Tree Hill route.<ref name="Mid day" />

5) Vikatgad route is the most difficult one. This route require high endurance. It starts from the base village Mamdapur and takes about 3 hours to reach Matheran via Vikatgad fort.

The route of Sunset Point is the most popular and route to Garbett point is the next most popular route. All the routes require 2-3 hrs climb to reach Matheran. The routes of Rambaug point and One Tree Hill are usually not taken by any trekkers nowadays.

== Transport ==
Matheran is well connected to Mumbai (100 km) & Pune (120 km) by rail and road, while Neral is the nearest rail station.The nearest airport is [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport]], [[Mumbai]] that is located around 100 km away from Matheran.

1) '''Railway'''- Matheran has a narrow gauge railway station in the town center. The old [[Matheran Hill Railway]] offers several daily trains to Neral. The toy train connected to the mainline rail route at Neral Junction. Neral Junction is well connected by [[local trains]] from CST along the CST-Karjat route. The train covers a distance of 12 miles in an hour.
Any Pune bound train from CST (Mumbai) reaches Neral in approximately two hours. To get there you have to take train from Mumbai to Neral junction; from Neral to Matheran by narrow gauge trains that depart at 8:40 AM, 11:00 AM, 5:00 PM. The Matheran Light Railway (MLR) offers limited seats for each trip. You can even hire a local van to travel till the Dhindi Point. From Dhindi Point you have to walk for about 30 minutes along the railway track to reach Matheran.People who cannot walk are suggested to contact the Neral railway officials to check whether the toy train is operating or not. The Toy train was shut down for most part 2016–2017. But it is now operational since January 26, 2018 and was e-inaugurated by the Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. Only 1 Ride from Neral to Matheran and it leaves Neral at 6:40 AM and reaches Matheran around 9:40 AM. Thereafter it operates shuttle rides between Aman Lodge and Matheran Station on hourly basis and at 3:30 PM it returns to Neral from Matheran. It takes 2 hours to Travel for return journey<ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/hop-onto-neral-matheran-toy-train-with-heritage-steam-engine/story-XBM4x2GLMX2mddBNJf47iN.html</ref>

2) '''Buses'''- There is regular bus service from Neral railway station and Karjat railway station up to Aman Lodge. The buses and cars are allowed only up to Aman Lodge.The only form of automobile allowed in Matheran is an ambulance operated by the Municipality. No private automobiles are allowed in Matheran.

3) '''Horses'''- Within Matheran transport facilities available are [[horse]]s and hand-pulled [[Pulled rickshaw|rickshaws]]. In Matheran horses are the cheap and best mode of transport. Because of landslides during the rain fall, the toy train services may be terminated temporarily.

4)'''Other'''-The centre has also given moot for e-rickshaws in Matheran<ref>Centre moots e rickshaws in Matheran:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/centre-moots-e-rickshaws-in-matheran/articleshow/72033907.cms</ref>

== Places to Explore ==
[[File:Louisa Point Matheran.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Louisa Point]]
There are altogether 40 points, two lakes, two parks, four major worship places<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.holidify.com/places/matheran/|title=Matheran Tourism > Travel Guide, Best Attractions, Tours & Packages|website=www.Holidify.com|access-date=30 October 2017}}</ref> and a [[race course]] to visit in Matheran.

It takes about 2–3 days by foot for a complete tour of all the points. Alternatively, if one manages to start early, one can rent a horse and complete all the points in a single day. Important points are Alexander Pt., Rambag Pt, Little Chowk Pt, Big Chowk Pt, One Tree Hill Pt, Belvedere Pt, Olympia Race Course (established in 1892-93 by [[Dhunjibhoy Bomanji|Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji]]),<ref>{{Cite book|title=The magic mountains : hill stations and the British raj|last=Keith.|first=Kennedy, Dane|date=1996|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=0585069875|location=Berkeley|pages=206|oclc=42922469}}</ref> Lords Pt, Charlotte Lake, [[Pisharnath Mahadev Mandir]], Celia Pt (a waterfall mouth), Echo Pt, Porcupine Pt (Sun Set Pt), Panorama Point (Sun Rise Pt), Khandala Pt, Madhavji Garden & Point, Matheran Railway Station, Louisa Point, Mayra Point, Pisarnath Temple, Matheran Shiv Mandir.

'''Vikatgad'''- One day trekking to [[vikatgad]] is an adventurous experience along the cliffs and deep ravines. Vikatgad is small mountain connected to Matheran. The easiest route to Vikatgad starts on Matheran Toy Train tracks few hundred metres Road distance below the Matheran Entrance.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}{{tone inline|date=August 2019}}

'''Charlotte Lake'''- The water to the Matheran was supplied from Charlotte lake. The dam overflows in rainy season and becomes a tourist attraction.<ref name="Holidify">{{cite web |title=Charlotte Lake |url=https://www.holidify.com/places/matheran/charlotte-lake-sightseeing-2789.html |website=www.holidify.com |publisher=Holidify Pvt Ltd |access-date=3 January 2020}}</ref>

'''Sunset Point'''- This is the farthest point in Matheran. It was also called Porcupine point.

'''Paymaster Park'''- This park is maintained by Municipality. There are play games for children and a pagoda.<ref name="Holidify"/>

==List of trees growing in Matheran==
{|class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; text-align: left;"
|-
!Sr. No.
![[Scientific names]] of the species
![[Common names]]
|-
!1
|''Albizzia chinensis'' (Osb.) Merr.
|Udal, Kajav
|-
!2
|''Actinodaphne angustifolia'' Nees.
|Pisa
|-
!3
|''Aglaia lawii'' (Wight.) Sald.
|-
|-
!4
|Alseodaphne semicarpifolia Nees.
|Sugran
|-
!5
| [[Alstonia scholaris]] (L.) R.Br.
|Saitan, Satvin
|-
!6
|[[Aporosa lindleyana]] (Wight) Baill.
|Ukveti
|-
!7
|[[Artocarpus lakoocha]] Roxb.
|Kemshi
|-
!8
|Atlantia racemosa Wight. & Arn.
|Makad limbu
|-
!9
|[[Bambusa arundinacea]] (Retz.) Roxb
|Kalak
|-
!10
|Bauhinia foveolata Dalz.
|Chambel.
|-
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140px">
File:MatheranHS4.jpg|The pathways
File:MatheranHS5.jpg|The trek route through one tree hill
File:MatheranHS2.jpg|Tourist at Charlotte lake
File:MatheranHS3.jpg|The forest
File:MatheranHS7.jpg|The Toy train
File:Matheran Hillstation 8.jpg|The Veer Kotwal Garden
File:Sunset point in Matheran1.jpg|Sunset point in rains
File:Matheran Hillstation 1.jpg|Steep hills around the Matheran
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|Matheran}}
{{External links|date=October 2017}}
* [http://indiarailinfo.com/search/1621/6675 Matheran Hill Railway Schedule] at India Rail Info
* [http://go4mumbai.com/Neral_Matheran_Rail.php Neral to Matheran Light Train Timetable]
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/news/fresh-attempts-to-get-heritage-status-for-matheran-light-rail/1059062 Fresh attempts to get heritage status for Matheran Light Rail - Indian Express (14 January 2013)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170912011429/http://rainbowgroups.org/book.asp ''Matheran A Practical Guide''] by Shailendra Patil and published by Rainbow Adventures.

{{Raigad district}}
{{Mumbai metropolitan area}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tourism in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Hill stations in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Raigad district]]
[[Category:Mountains of the Western Ghats]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Raigad district]]

Matheran - Revision history

CleanupBot: /* Rail */clean up

Kamal Guha: One category less

WikiDwarfBOT: Cleanup: Source modification.

imported>Motivation creator at 16:32, 27 August 2021