From Railways to the Milk Sea

It’s been a long time from when I had last gone for a trek.
I needed an escape from the hectic schedule.
Finally, I had the opportunity.
As the starting point of the trek was away from home, we reached there in the car.
I, Kaustubh and Omkar unloaded all our bags, sleeping bags (as we had planned to stay overnight) and a bag which had something secret in it. (will tell you later)
Parag sir and his friend Nitesh was there with us. They had brought their net for collecting rare species of Dragonflies and Damselflies for identification.

We started our journey from Collem Railway station. We walked along the railway track.
Walking on the stones was quite difficult, but as time passed, we started loving it.

We spotted different species of Butterflies, Dragonflies and Damselflies, spiders, caterpillars etc. on the way.

Caterpillar

Giant Wood Spider

Giant Wood Spider having food

Golden Dartlet

Draco

Frog

Omkar was successful in collecting Pantala Dragonfly in the net.
It was rare one and Parag sir kept it for identification.
The trek was 12 kms. and we were already late. We knew we had to hurry.
But the gushing water, rustling leaves and the winged beauties all around us wouldn’t have let us sprint.
The sun started going down which means photography was no more be possible after sometime.
That’s why we hurried and decided to unpack the secret bag.
The moment for which I was waiting for last 3 hours had come.
Everyone was set. Ready and excited to see what happens next.
And then, Omkar opened the bag.......................................................................................................... and a 3 feet Russell’s Viper sprung out of the bag.

Everyone was set and excited. Ready to see what comes next.Omkar opened the bag and a 3 feet long Russell's Viper sprung out of the bag.

Ready

Steady

Hiss

We were excited to see how swiftly it moved. It was rescued by the people from a rescue squad and we had taken it with us for releasing it there. Now,as it was near to the track,we had to take it away from the track.
It was an amazing and thrilling experience handling it. What makes it more thrilling is the potential of the venom of this snake. Even if the person is saved from a bite, the area to which the venom is spread can get affected with Gangrene.
We completed the task which I was waiting for, right from the beginning of the trek.
Then we continued our journey as it started getting darker.We had the torches, but nothing is as exciting as walking in the dark. So we decided to keep them off.

Me on the dark track

The place we were supposed to stay was still 4-5 kms. So we decided to stay in a village called Sonaulim on the route. We kept all our bags in village temple. The temple of the "Milk Sea" - the "Dudhsagar".(Waterfalls)
The only temple I've seen where nature is worshiped. The Dudhsagar has been given the place of god over there.
We all were hungry and rushed to the chool(the traditional indian stove).
Parag sir cooked magi noodles for us.

We had our food and slept.



To be continued......

Photography exhibition at Chowgule College

Date: 4 and 5 July 2008
(Could not upload promptly because of busy schedule.)

The 'G.V.M.'s Nature Study Centre,Ponda' had organized an Exhibition known as 'Birds and More' in the Chowgule College.It was an exhibition of photograph of birds and other organisms found in Goa, which the members of this group (including me) had clicked.We had also displayed this exhibition in the Kala Academy, Goa; and Azmane shcool from Dongri, Goa; prior to this.These are some photographs of the exhibition.

Vice Principal, Principal and Kaustubh.(From left)

Students listening carefully

The arrangement

Me and my Zoology Professor, Mr. Kavri

Me, explaining the story behind the Photographs to the woman from Canada who visited our college

Umaji Chowgule, the owner of our college, observing the photographs

In the meantime, Kaustubh and Amey managed to get some good snaps of the campus.Have a look at it.

The Entrance

The statues denoting Gurukul system

The Tiger's Coop - The college's exclusive store

The Corridor

The Quad

Our Library

Sit outs - Where we usually spend our free time

Attitude

Whenever you try to bring about metamorphosis, you face a big hurdle.
It’s the attitude of the people around you.
They may be supportive, but when it comes to issues like environment and conservation, very few actually understand.
Most of us feel that the earth belongs to humans and we are doing a favour to the other animals and plants by letting them to inhabit it.
Most people never agree with the fact that everyone has an equal right to live on this earth as we do.
There is a need to change our attitude towards the surrounding organisms.
Only then, the conservation of these organisms and eventually of humans can be possible.



I remember the case when I had failed to save a life due to this attitude.
There was a snake in the building and while I was passing through there, I came to know about the situation. I told them not to kill him and gave a call to a member from a rescue squad.
But there was a man who is the resident of the building, who insisted on killing the snake.
While I tried to convince him, he asked me some questions which indicate the typical attitude.
"Who are you to tell me?" he asked. "Why should the snake enter my building? If it comes in my building, I will kill him." I told him that I will take the responsibility of looking after the snake till the rescue squad member arrives. I was not sure whether I should rescue it myself because I didn't even know which snake it was. There are certain established rules in these people's minds like 'snakes are cruel and are to be killed', 'fishes are made for human consumption', 'Environment is just a textual concept' etc.
The person was no exception to those who follow these rules.
And finally,he killed the snake in front of my eyes.
I could not do anything.
The person was celebrating as if he had done a great thing.
But I got disappointed.
At that moment, I felt that if I had rescued it, it would have been saved.
That is when I decided to rescue any endangered snakes thereafter on my own.
From then, I started rescuing snakes.
I haven't rescued many, but after the said incidence, I have never missed the opportunity to do it.
Hopefully, by the course of time, people might change their attitude.