Wilderness within

Something about 26/11

2010-11-26T17:03:00.001+05:30

My facebook timeline is flooding with all 26/11 msgs from morning.
Someone is planning to wear white, someone has decided to light
candles, someone is moaning on the sad demise of the martyrs.
Those martyrs didn't give away their lives because they were expecting
a word of sympathy. They wanted to set an example to all of us.
If you truly want to give a tribute to them, just look back and try to
remember, what have you done for your country?
Just remembering the martyrs on 26/11 and crying will not change
anything. Did that bring a change in our system? 2 years passed after
the incident, still no full n final hearing.

If we really feel disheartened by the demise of the great heroes, let
us do something for our country and make them proud.
However small it might be, however insignificant it might feel, lets
take one task and for the first time, lets do something exclusively
for our country and not for ourselves.

JAI HIND

--
Rohan Naik
Ponda, Goa

My Blog
http://rohannaik90.blogspot.com/

My India Nature Watch photostream
http://www.indianaturewatch.net/view_cat.php?tag=Rohan+Naik

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http://twitter.com/rahutherebel

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Nocturnal treat with awesome sightings

2010-08-18T22:55:00.014+05:30

Date: 14/08/10

Me and Mandar were planning to go for a night trail, from many days, for conducting the survey for my amphibian documentation project. But due to some or other reason either he or I could not make it. But now it is high time, the season is about to end and again today, I was free but Mandar was not. I was not so keen on going alone. Although I was comfortable roaming around in the wilderness during the night looking for herps, research work involves sitting at one place and observation. As your senses are highly alert during the night, slightest of sound disturbs your concentration. That is why I wanted someone to watch my back while I note the observations and photograph the specimens. But he wasn't available so I decided to go alone and I am glad didn't stay back. My trip was a blast. I got to see lot of things along with my subjects of study.

I reached the place where there is a big lake and most of amphibian activity takes place there. It was around 7:40 pm in the evening and only light available was moonlight. I put off my torch and scanned the area in front of me. Suddenly I felt movement at my side a few feet from me. When I looked in the direction, I was stunned. A porcupine was peacefully walking besides me. I wanted to take a shot so I lit the torch. Seeing the light, It just started running in a zigzag fashion. Due to the uneven terrain, bushes and dark, I just could not focus and even the flash was inadequate. So all I got was this.

You can see the eye shining, and if you increase your brightness, you can see the faint white quills in the back

I just moved a bit further and was examining the peripheri of the lake when I saw something else standing at around 20 feet from me. It was bigger than the porcupine. When I shone my torch in its direction, it sprinted away. I could not make out what it was as I didn't have my spects on. But it was something huge.

Recovering from the two shocks, I gained my breath and moved forward. I was searching for the tree frogs in the area surrounding the lake. The area had ankle deep water and had thick vegetation in it. I just moved forward from a patch and returned back when I saw some leaf like thing sticking out of the vegetation. When I saw closely, I was awestruck. I couldn't believe the fact that what I was looking closely supposing it to be dry accasia leaf, was a baby Cobra. It was there in the same patch of vegetation which I just crossed. I saw the animal at close quarters and got a sudden adrenaline rush in comparison with which the earlier two incidents were nothing. I was just saying "Whoa, Whoa, Whoa" for the next one minute. I recovered when the snake decided to move. I tried to take a shot, I got one record shot too. But before getting a good shot it slithered into the ankle deep water covered with vegetation. I didn't catch it because it was only as long as my forearm and could have easily bitten me. I tried to search it scouting around the area but didn't find it. I was on a high for next 10-15 minutes.

I was overwhelmed by so many sightings in a very short duration. I finally managed to get out of all that and completed my survey.

Here are some shots.

A Skittering Frog (Click to enlarge)

A Skittering Frog along with the tadpole of a Bull Frog (Click to enlarge)

Indian Tree Frog (Click to enlarge)

Foam nest of an Indian Tree Frog (It is located close to a water body and tadpoles move to water immediately after they hatch)

A glimpse of the monsoon in Mollem

2010-06-18T19:43:00.022+05:30

The monsoons are here and I couldn't wait to take the full advantage of this fact. Me and Mandar set out a little late for Mollem on 15th June.
Inspite of all our previous visits to Mollem, it has something new to offer every time I visit and this time was special as this was our first visit to Mollem after this year's monsoon arrived. So we had a lot of expectations and off course, we were not disappointed but in fact got 'Ummeed se Dugnaa'.

We started at around 12:00 in the afternoon (which you can only do during monsoons) and our expedition lasted for around seven hours (which could have been very tiring if it wasn't monsoon).
But unlike other visits, this time we traveled only a small distance i.e. from Mollem to Nandran and back (Around 7 kms). This time, we spent more time in exploring the area, searching, observing and photographing which resulted in more sightings, more joy and more knowledge.

A Fungus (Click to enlarge)

Rufescent Frog (Click to enlarge)

Peacock Pansy (Click to Enlarge)

Some kind of Beetle - Lots of these were gathered around two dead females of Rufescent Frog at the same place, strange. (Click to Enlarge)

A beautiful caterpillar - I seriously don't know which butterfly it belongs to. (Click to Enlarge)

Mating Snails (Click to Enlarge)

A stick insect (Click to Enlarge)

Another stick insect which mimics the Praying Mantis (Click to Enlarge)

Monsoon, in Mollem, has to offer some of those life forms which can rarely be seen otherwise. It includes frogs, mushrooms and the legendary Hump nosed pit Viper.
But the sad part of our trip was, our camera's battery got over after reaching Nandaran and some of the major sightings including the Hump nosed pit Viper had to be photographed with my mobile camera. So please bear with the quality. At least, something is better than nothing.

We found a massive Scorpion in a pile of mud. (You can click to Enlarge if you want but won't give you better quality)

This picture is uploaded just to show the sizw and comparison between two differt species. The upper one is the species which I usually see at Mardangad (a hill near my place).
(Click to Enlarge)
NOTE: This photograph doesn't encourage anyone to replicate the above act as it can be dangerous without proper knowledge and experience.

Hump nosed pit viper (This picture doesn't do justice to this animal)

A Gecko - Probably juvenile Brook's Gecko (If any herpetologists reading this, please help). I am sorry for the middle picture of the sequence but I couldn't think of a better way to get it in focus)

To those who are using LCD, my images might appear over sharpened and with extra contrast. Please bear with it as I use a really old CRT for editing my photos.

On the whole, the trip was a blast. This was one of my best trips to the wildtill today and I enjoyed it to the fullest.

Urban Amphibians

2010-06-11T15:07:00.009+05:30

Amphibians are said to be one of the most habitat specific organisms. Many of them are known as indicator species as they are found only in certain type of conditions and thus indicate presence of such conditions around them.

But, on the contrary, several other species have adapted themselves to a variety of habitats including areas which are heavily disturbed by human activities.

The place where I live is not a part of the main city but has a considerable amount of human interference with the fragmented patches of vegetation. Right from the beginning of the rains, me and Mandar have been conducting surveys along the bypass which passes through my locality. To our astonishment, we documented various species of bush frogs, Beddome's Frog, Ornate narrow mouthed Frog, lots of Cricket frogs, Common Indian Toad etc.

Ornate Narrow mouthed Frog (Click to enlarge)

This list also includes one of the most beautiful frog species of the Western Ghats - The Malabar Gliding Frog.

The Malabar Gliding Frog is a tree frog with beautiful colouration. Its body is green in colour and the webbing in feet (which is used for gliding) is bright red.

Hind limb of Malabar Gliding Frog (Click to enlarge)

This frog can actually glide from one tree to other from higher height to a lower one.

As its name suggests, it is endemic to the Malabar (Region from Western Ghats to the West coast) region. It makes foam nests on trees overhanging pools of water. Few years back, such a nest was located near a building in the Ponda city. These frogs are common in the forests of Western ghats during the monsoon but finding them in the center of a city is a bit uncommon.

Our finding of this frog near my house might sound like a good news at first, but the part of the story is that both the specimens I found were found dead on the road. They might have bumped into a vehicle while gliding as they were not crushed.

There were several such frogs which we saw already been crushed or getting crushed under the wheels of speeding vehicles. But we can't blame the driver as most of the frogs are so small that you can't even see them, forget about avoiding them.

But atleast the bigger ones can be avoided and please see to it that you do your part when you are driving.

As I have mentioned earlier, many species of amphibians which are specific to a particular habitat are pushed into the danger zone due to large scale habitat destruction. Climate change has also threatened the existence of the species which are adaptable to only a narrow temperature range. In Goa, yet another cause for decline in their population is their consumption, especially of the Indian and Jerdon's Bull Frog.

Please don't get involved in Frog poaching and consumption activities. If you find someone else involved, contact the Forest Dept. or call me (9545436161)

Drive responsibly during the night.

Don't use harmful pesticides in your fields or gardens which can affect the surrounding amphibians.

PLAY YOUR PART TO SAVE THE FROG

On the ocassion of the World Environment Day

2010-06-05T13:22:00.012+05:30

It has been around seven to eight years now that I have been traveling the unbeaten paths trying to explore more. May it be forests, grasslands, stream side etc. But it was very recently (around 4 years back), I started to look at all this in a different way. Earlier, I used to roam through forests but never used to observe the birds; as I was living on the fringe of a reserve forest, snakes used to come in our house but I used to kill them.
With a boost of inspiration from various personalities, I learned to observe my surrounding. Observation and comparison led to increase in knowledge, knowledge led to sense of belonging to my environment. With the bond with the environment and its inhabitants being stronger, the urge to explore grew. These day long or week long explorations brought out some extremely exciting facts. But in addition, there were fact which were not so pleasing and some, which still prick inside my heart.

With advancing urbanization and so called development, people are going far from nature. They say environmentalist are supposed to care of nature. I only ask them a question - "Are environmentalist the only ones who get benefited by nature? Are they the only ones who breath oxygen, drink clean water, use furniture made out of trees, eat food and use other articles directly or indirectly derived from natural resources?"
You can not deny the fact that every single being is dependent on its natural environment for its survival. Then why is it that only few have to bear the task of taking care of the environment? Everyone avails the rights but few perform the duties. Why?

The only reason I can figure out is due to lack of belongingness. People have become so used to a concrete environment that they don't realize the fact that natural forest lie on the same land as that of the concrete jungles. We have started forgetting that we are a part of nature which is existing for millions of years and are becoming part of what we are creating today, which is pushing us towards devastation.
We humans, are not only putting our future into danger but also of those millions of beings which share the planet with us and can't fight on their own for their survival. Several organisms are getting extinct before they are even discovered.

Look around you. You will see various beings living around you. Take out time on a weekend and go to a place which is a bit far from human habitation and experience nature. Enjoy it.
Thats when you will truly realize that if you are taking something from it, you should give back too.

What you can do?
You can start from your home:

1)The water which comes through your tap is actually harvested from a river which is a source of water for various other life forms. Even lot of money is utilized to harvest the water and channelize it towards you. So use water very carefully.

Close the taps while brushing teeth or shaving. Don't use a hosepipe to wash a car but use a bucket and mug.

When using flush, only flush out required amount of water

Immediately fix leaking taps and tanks. Use floaters in tanks.

Report immediately if you see a broken public pipeline.

2)Garbage is a major problem which leads to pollution of our ecosystem and on top of the list is plastic.

Don't accept new plastic bags. Carry one which you already have at home while going for shopping.

Try to use those articles which are recyclable or those which can decompose over a period of time.

The best way is to minimise your requirements. Don't keep on buying unnesessary things.

Dispose the garbage at proper places like municipality garbage bins and not into streams and other such locations.

Don't throw around wrappers of candies, chips or such things anywhere. Keep them with you and throw them when you come across a dustbin.

3)Bear compassion towards living beings.

Keep in mind that there are also other creatures living with us on this planet with an equal right to live. And off course our future depends on their survival.

So please do your part and don't get involved in activities like consumption of meat of wild animals. If you stop eating, there will be decline in demand and hence decline in poaching.

Please don't kill animals like snakes if they enter your house. There are many wildlife rescue volunteers in Goa. Call the one who is nearer to you and he will rescue the snake and release in a suitable natural habitat.
Call me if there's a snake in your house on: 9545436161

Here's is a list of other snake rescuers listed out by Nirmal Kulkarni on his blog:

Snake Rescue Volunteers In Goa

If you abide by the above things, you can help in the cause of protection of environment. Be a responsible citizen and always think how your actions affect your surrounding and always try to minimise the effect.
Lets join hands and make an attempt to safeguard our environment.

If you want to join our group MITRA and take part in activities like awareness regarding environment and wildlife, tree plantation, trekking, birdwatching etc,
then contact me at: rahutherebel@gmail.com

or on: 9545436161

Happy World Environment Day to all

Click above to view the Photograph

The Kind of Trip I usually don't go for

2010-05-28T20:08:00.005+05:30

My recent trip turned out to be totally different than I had planned.
I set out on the journey early in the morning hoping to catch a train
to Dudhsagar from Collem. But I got a carriage train which directly
stops at Castlerock, a village in Karnataka. My actual plan was to go
to Dudhsagar, explore the area and then go to Castlerock. I wanted to
go to Castlerock since long as I had heard a lot about it.

I then decided to go to Castlerock first in the carriage train and
then to Dudhsagar and back.

I saw a glimpse of the Dudhsagar waterfall while going. I had seen the
area till Dudhsagar Railway station but this time I got to see beyond
that. It is amazing, a paradise. I got to explore some of the area
when train had stopped at the Caranzol station. I was eagerly waiting
for Castlerock to come and it finally came.

Much to my dissappointment, Castlerock appears to be like a ghost
town at first. I started wondering, is this the same Castlerock I had
heard about? I gave up the thought of seeing any wildlife and decided
to explore the village. As I entered the actual village, my views
about the place started changing. Nestled into the greens, the villge
was not familiar with so called 'development'. That is what I liked
most about the village.
I reached the 'market' through the greenery in search of a drink (Soft
drink).There I found out the best thing about the village, the people.
They are very friendly and to my astonishment, they were speaking
Konkani. Most of them are supposed to be Goans who came there in
search of jobs when the railway station was built. And to speak about
wildlife, I saw many Malabar Pied Hornbills flying all around.

I think the actual Castlerock, talked about by wildlifers, is the
patch between Caranzol to Castlerock which is sure to house a variety
of wildlife. I am planning to go there as well in few days.

My next station was supposed to be Dudhsagar. But I got a bad news
that there is only one train remaining which can take me to Collem. If
I get down from that at Dudhsagar, I will either have to stay (which
was not possible because I didn't have enough food supply) or walk
back 12 kms (for which I had no stamina left). I boarded the train and
came back to Collem and then to Ponda. All my plans of exploration
were devastated due to train schedules. But I got to learn so much
about the Castlerock village. Not a good wildlife trip. But I will
return. I will return to fulfill my destiny.

Links to my previous trip report from Dudhsagar

Part 1

Part 2

Tamil Lacewing

2010-05-20T15:37:00.000+05:30

Apefly in Cotigao

2010-05-19T18:31:00.000+05:30

Thanks to Omkar for identification

Checklist of Birds in Carmali

2010-05-13T20:45:00.000+05:30

In all these years of my visits to Carmali, I have prepared a checklist of around 70-75 birds in and around the lake area. I am uploading a checklist of a single day which dates back to 23rd march 2010.

Time: 8:15 – 10:45

01) Ashy Prinia

02) Magpie robin

03) Indian Robin

04) Jungle Myna

05) White throated kingfisher

06) Red whiskered Bulbul

07) Asia Koel

08) Brahminy Kite

09) House Crow

10) Blue Rock Pigeon

11) Golden fronted Chloropsis

12) Spotted Dove

13) Small Sunbird

14) Black hooded Oriole

15) Jungle babbler

16) Cattle Egret

17) Little Egret

18) Red Wattled Lapwing

19) Little Cormorant

20) Purple Moorhen/Swamphen

21) Bronze winged Jacana

22) Pied Kingfisher

23) Purple heron

24) Small Green Bee-eater

25) Red vented Bulbul

26) Greenish warbler

27) Pond Heron

28) Wire-tailed Swallow

29) Large Egret

30) Tawny Eagle

31) Lesser Whistling Duck

32) Common Coot

33) Pheasant tailed Jacana

34) White breasted Waterhen

35) Baya weaverbird

36) White rumped Munia

37) Glossy Ibis

38) Long tailed Shrike

39) Open billed Stork/ Asian Openbill

40) Woolly-necked/White-necked Stork

41) Wood Sandpiper

42) Common Sandpiper

43) Common Redshank

44) Black-Winged Stilt

45) River Tern

46) Shikra

47) Common Greenshank

48) Plain Prinia

49) Barn Swallow

50) Red rumped swallow

51) Common Moorhen

52) Common Hawk Cuckoo

53) Western Marsh Harrier

54) Blue tailed Bee eater

55) Small Blue kingfisher

56) White Ibis

57) Gull billed tern

58) Osprey

59) Ruddy Shellduck

Purple Moorhen

Red rumped Swallow

Tern (Can anyone say which one?)

Wood Sandpiper

If anyone planning to visit the spot, you can

mail me at : rahutherebel@gmail.com

Call me on: +919545436161

Man and his Environment

2010-04-17T12:13:00.000+05:30

This picture simply shows how humans and other creatures coexist. Hope they coexist the same way forever.

Recent Trip to Carmali

2010-03-28T18:56:00.001+05:30

Presently, I have got holidays (for preparation for the semester examination) but as expected, I have spent them by travelling to various places.

I recently visited Carmali which is famous for its variety of migratorey as well as local water birds and even other bird species.

Out of my two visits, during the first on 23rd, I saw and recorded around 50+ different bird species. Due to the restricted vegetative cover on the lake during this season, birds are concentratedin a small area which makes it easier to spot them.

The best part for me, was not the lake but the fields adjacent to it. There, I saw a variety of local as well as migratory birds like open-billed storks, wood sandpiper, black-winged stilt, Common Redshank, Woolly necked/white necked Stork etc from a very close distance. Even the light was very good for photography, but guess what, I had not carried the camera.

On 26th, I made another trip exclusively for photography. but luck is not always on your side. This time, I didn't get to see the birds from a close distance neither the light was very good for photography. I was about to end my trip in disappointment when I just spotted the Western Marsh Harrier, a beautiful raptor which I saw for almost 15 minutes. It was hovering over the fields, taking a sudden dip and then rising.

Could not get any decent snaps though. These are some record shots.

Marsh Harrier 1

Marsh harrier 2

Harrier in flight 1

Harrier in flight 2

This is the closest I could get. But the bird must have felt shy and must have hidden its head. No problem though because the mere sighting of the bird was superb.

Some photographs of other birds sighted

Bronze-winged Jacana

Purple Heron

Brahminy kite

Ruddy Shelducks

Purple Moorhens

Whistling Ducks

A disappointing incident

2010-03-08T21:19:00.001+05:30

I was coming back home when i saw a few people throwing something out with a stick. I strongly felt that it was a snake. I rushed to the spot but in vain. I was awestruck. They had just killed it and throwing it into the gutter. I was blank. All around me were the sounds of people murmuring about all the misconceptions. I looked at the dead snake, didn't even dare to find out which snake it was. I was traumatized from within. I, who always tells people not to kill snakes and why not, was silently watching those elderly guys. Suddenly I felt so insignificant. So all those rescues and awareness programs were useless? All that growing confidence with each snake rescue and awareness programs shattered in a moment. I remembered the incident when a guy killed a snake in front of me and i couldn't do anything. Thats from when I had started rescuing snakes. Today, the same feeling haunted me. Although I reached there after they killed it, I consider it as a defeat because despite of a huge number of people being involved in reptile conservation today, people still do this kind of stuff. Why do they have such an attitude? Won't they ever change? If not, why are we doing this? I should complete my eduction, get a good job, salary, a good wife, children and thats it. Why all this bull shit????

But backing off is not the solution. I get disappointed by one bad incident. but then, I remember about all the good once. All the snakes I have rescued, all the people who are inspired by my awareness talks and lot others. But we have to find some concrete solutions for this. Can anyone suggest solutions for tackling this problem other than the conventional ones? Please do reply.

A close encounter with an elusive Cobra

2010-02-26T18:05:00.001+05:30

I was walking back from college today as I heard a soft rustel in the
roadside bushes. When I looked towards that direction, I was stunned
to see a huge snake. Not sure whether it was a Cobra or Rat Snake, I
went into the bushes to have a closer look. It sensed my presence and
started inflating its hood. I was mesmerised as this was my first very
close encounter with a wild Cobra in the open. I was so astonished to
see it that I forgot the fact that I had a cellphone with me and could
have captured a snap. All the snakes I have seen in the wild,
including other Cobras, give priority to running away. But this guy
was coming towards me. I was in a dilema whether to catch it or let it
go. The reason for the latter thought coming into my mind is that I
didn't want to do any roadside stunts and the animal was huge. But my
first thought was more realistic as it was very close to the road and
if, by chance it had come on the road, it would have got crushed for
sure as it is a very busy street.

The problem was with the size. Putting a 5 feet Cobra in a college bag
was near to impossible. I opened my bag to check how much space I had
to accomodate it. When I looked into my bag, the Cobra was infront of
me, not even at a meter distance. I looked in the bag for a second and
turned my head up to find out the astonishing fact that the snake had
disappeared. There was no sound or movement an how could it escape so
fast? At first, I thought it would be its amazing camouflage that is
allowing it to be undiscovered but I searched the whole area to find
out that it was actually gone. How can an animal disappear from
infront of you within a fraction of a second without making any sound
or leaving any trail? This was the most elusive creature I have ever
seen. I hope it would have gone into the deeper bushes and not towards
the road.

Bird watching at Carmali

2010-01-30T09:23:00.001+05:30

A bird watching expedition to carmali. Read details on:
http://mitragoa.wordpress.com/2010/01/28/birding-expedition-at-carambolim-lake-on-7th-feb-2010/

Trek to Mollem

2010-01-22T17:28:00.000+05:30

It's not that I've been away from the wild for so long but I've been staying away from writing down and publishing my experiences for very long. But today, I felt like doing it and so I did.

Me and Mandar planned to go to 'Tambdi Surla' waterfall yesterday, but due to odd schedules of the buses, we finally ended up in Mollem (Bhagwah Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary). Travelling through Nandaran, we reached the Vasant Bandhara which is a spot we usually don't miss when at Mollem. We traced the flow of water and went up the stream, halted at few places and finally reached a waterfall. (you can actually call it a waterfall only in the rainy days).

Me on the top of a rocky structure

Mandar

A natural structure which looks like a properly engineered canal

The trip was full of adventure. It involved vine hanging, rock climbing, slipping and falling (ooops!).

Vine Hanging/Balancing

A very close encounter with a male jungle fowl and a flock of large number of parakeets from Nandaran watchtower and Giant squirel were remarkable sights.

Mandar gazing curiously at the Giant Squirel

Sightings of Butterflies and Odonates (Dragonflies and Damselflies) in the stream area were awesome.

Red Spot Duke

Common Jezebel

A dead spider or probably a moult

Wonders of nature - Small ants taking down a big one

Froggy

Unidentified Butterfly

A Damselfly

We observed a strange mating behaviour of Damselflies where the male was pricking the female with some white structures in flight (Looked like some sort of some aerial attack.) Got some good shots.

Aerial Attack 1

Aerial Attack 2

Apart from all the observation and adventure, we also had a nice bath, first in a pool of water formed by the rocks and then under a small waterfall.

Gown of Water

A closer look

We witnessed a beautiful sunset while coming back.

Altogether, it was complete fun and informative experience and 100% satisfaction.

The awareness fever

2009-11-27T14:24:00.001+05:30

This month was month of awareness. Me, Mandar, Amey and few others from our group roamed from school to school and even in higher secondaries sharing with them our knowledge on biodiversity of Goa and our experiences from the wild. Apart from making them familiar with our wildlife, my focus was also on addressing the problems our wildlife faces due to various reasons and educating them regarding what they can do to stop that. The program includes a talk which is accompanied by a powerpoint presentation. I always used to think that school students didn't know anything about our biodiversity amd they are not bothered about its future. But during these programs I came to know how wrong I was. I got a huge and totally unexpected responce from students. They were interested in joining our activities. I am planning to organise some activities for those student. As far this month is concerned, the awareness programs are over. But this is not the end, this is the beggining.

Mhadei trek day 1

2009-06-29T15:35:00.000+05:30

June 10th

We finally decided to experience the changes that monsoon had brought about in Mhadei. Planning a three day trek, we set out. We were supposed to enter from a village known as Sonal a few kilometers from Valpoi and walk to Krishnapur in Karnatak about 18 kilometers from there. But as we set out very late and had to wait for long for the bus, we decide to camp at Sonal. Sonal is indeed a lovely place. The landscape fascinated me at the first site. The flowing river in the shallows becomes calm in the deep. The huge rock cliffs skirting the river and boulders projrcting throught the water added to the scene.

The River at Sonal

We took a bath and swim for long while we watched around fifteen malabar pied hornbills flying over us.

An Orchid (Sitechi veni)

We witnessed a similar sunset there (This one was clicked at last Mhadei trek)

Drying ourselves we decided the spot to make camp, cooked our food i.e. typical goan steamed rice (Ukden Sheet), had our pots filled and hit the ground.

Cooking (At last Mhadei trek)

Watching the universe above you while you lie on the earth makes you feel like a baby in his mothers arms looking at strangers around him. We were lucky the it did't rain that day. But we were worried about tomorrow. The day faded as we shut our eyes looking forward to a better tomorrow.

To be continued...........

The rescue day.

2009-06-15T20:25:00.001+05:30

9th June 09

I don't know if I have mentioned it earlier, but our group is also involved in rescue activities. Although I have not attended any rescue calls earlier, I have now started to do it under the rescue cell of "Mitra". Saish being the co-ordinator of our rescue cell is an experienced rescuer and often gets rescue calls.

Today, the funny incident was that, we were supposed to go to a lake to have a dip in the rain water. But Saish got a rescue call and he had to attend. There was a snake in a compound wall which was completely hollow and many holes. The snake used to poke its head out and if you try to go closer, immediately used to go in and come out through the other end. Being unsuccessful, Saish returned with Amey.

Then we went to Khandepar around 4kms away from the rescue spot. We were about to start our climb on the hill towards the lake, just when the same person called again. Setting out with determination, I and Saish again traveled four kms and reached. But again the same story. It was near to impossible to catch the snake. Meanwhile, a friend of ours told us about a monitor lizard present in his house. Saish accompanied him to rescue the monitor while I waited patiently for the snake to come out. It was a futile effort. I was starting to feel impatient when Saish appeared with the huge monitor and big patch of its dung on his t-shirt.

Before leaving, we gave that person the ph. no. of the rescuer who handles rescue calls in that particular area. We reached back to pachmi near Khandepar and had just started our walk, the person called again that the snake had taken its head out. It would have been like a game. The snake takes small part of its head out so we are called, we go covering 4kms and it goes in again. We come back and it removes his head out again. Then we go again...... But not this time. We told him to call the other person whose no. we had given him.

We, then headed up with the monitor. A local woman asked us why are we carrying it alive. We said we had saved it and are going to release it. That is when she said "Tenka sodnaa baba, tenka khataa" which means 'They are not meant to be released but are to be eaten'. It was very embarrassing to here this. Despite of being schedule-1 animals, monitors are extensively killed for their blood, flesh and skin out of which the traditional Goan musical instrument 'Ghumat' is prepared.

Climbing up the hill, we released the monitor.

Saish with the monitor

A close look

We walked for some more time and finally reached our destination. Not even one minute had passed after we had stepped in the water, there was another rescue call. It was a crocodile which we later understood was a baby. Fortunately, Utkarsh had not come with us and we called him and sent him to the call. We bathed there for some time and went to attend the call. It was very difficult as well. A small but deep rat hole from which you can see nothing was taken as shelter by the hatchling. I found nothing else thaen 4-5 seeds of mango when I put my hand in. We returned.

Today's day has been a bit hectic, but very interesting. Especially the bath we had at the lake (Pandawaanchi tali).

"Mitra" is involved in animal rescue operations and have rescued a lot of snakes and birds by now.

Please contact us. for rescuing any distressed animal or snakes or other creatures coming to your house or other such area.
My contact no. is: 9271350091
Saish: 9423886358
Utkarsh: 9420178820
Omkar: 9049911877
Aniket: 9730602146

MITRA

2009-06-15T20:15:00.000+05:30

Friends, its been a while being in this field. We (our group) have been roaming around in the forests, undertaking documentation and conservation related activities etc. But now, we have taken a formal step towards it. We have stated a Non Governmental Organization called "Mitra".

We have already started working under this association and to know more about our association, visit:
http://mitragoa.wordpress.com/

The monsoons have arrived

2009-06-07T18:18:00.000+05:30

Finally, the wait is over. The thirsty ground which was almost burnt with the scorching heat was expecting a drop of water and guess what, it got tonnes of water pouring on to it. Everyone seems excited. The naked trees are getting rapidly covered with green blankets, forests are blooming. All the junglefolks are celebrating and I am all prepared to be a part of this celebration. My long wait has ended and now its time to dive into the wilderness, to continue the abruptly disrupted task of watching, enjoying and learning about all the nature has to offer, to start sharing my experiences with you people once again.

In this season we are on a mission. The frogs have come out and are hopping openly in the wild. With our campaign to save them from ruthless killing and consumption, we are taking a step towards exploring more of their world and their conservation. Their every hop is a ray of hope.

I am all set and ready to explore. You get ready to read and enjoy my latest experiences.

Mhadei trip

2009-02-01T09:09:00.000+05:30

Uploading after long time. Two reasons for that:
1) Was not involved in much wildlife activities these days
2) Even if I get a thought to jot down about, I don't have, my own internet connection. So by the time I reach a cybercafe the thought goes.

Anyways, my latest trip was in the forests in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary region. Precisely, in Sattari taluka of Goa. We camped there for two days: One day in Bhironda on the riverbank, and the second, in the temple in the caranzol village.
This trip was not basically wildlife oriented but more of an adventure trip. It started with series of adventures. We were waiting from the bus to Valpoi right from 1:00 in the afternoon, but we hadn't got any bus till the evening, and finally we came to know that bus drivers from Valpoi-Ponda route have gone for some meeting and those buses won't be there today. Finally, we had to catch our bus to Mollem from where we caught the bus to Valpoi after long hour of waiting. We finally reached and walked to our destination. Our request for living in the room in the forest office had been rejected and so we decided to camp on the river bank. The sun had already started setting. The open bank covered with boulders, the still water and the setting red sun made a perfect combination.

Our second adventure which we had never tried before , strated. It was dark and we were still to do all our routine tasks like bathing, excretion, eating etc. But for that we had to do some non-routine tasks like cooking. Searching for firewood in the dark and preeparing the 'chool' was wonderfull. Me and Aniket lighted the chool and cooked the Maggie noodles which we had brought with us. Eating to satisfaction, we secured all our bags at one place and sat at one place. Shared all our joys and sorrows of our lives for long, the poets amongst us read some poems. It was relaxing. Winding up everything after that, Kaustubh, Utkarsh and Saish went into their sleeping bags and me and Aniket below our blankets.

I couldn't sleep the whole night. Even the sound of dew drops was disturbing me. We were supposed to get up at 5:30 as we had to catch the 6:30 bus. I was waiting when the night gets over. My patience was growing weaker and weaker. But this waiting ended when Aniket got up at around 4:45. We both got up. It was cold, so we decided to light a fire. It was amazing. It was dark all around. Just the light of the fire. Everyone around us including the nearby village were sleeping. Only we two were awake. Slowly others started rising. After brushing our teeth, we started the preparation of tea. And as it was previously predicted, we got late.

To be continued.........................

My first leopard sighting.

2008-11-28T20:13:00.000+05:30

27th Nov. 2008
11:56 pm

Today is a very important day in my life. It was my first leopard encounter. I don't know whether to call it an encounter but
it happened as follows:
It happened so that we were returning from the 'Khandepar Jatra (Feast) in the night in our car. I was gazing at the roadside
bushes which skirted around the huge wilderness which was soon to be converted into a garbage dump (refer my earlier post).
It would have been around 11:30 pm when I was disturbed by the exclaimed vocalizations of those in the car with me. But
before I could turn to find out the reason, the reason itself disappeared in the same bushes which I was staring at. They
said it was a leopard and looking at the size of its tail and hind quarters (These were the only parts I could see) I
suspected it to be a juvenile. I felt jealous about everyone else in the car as they had seen it fully while crossing the
road in front of our car, emerging from the steep ravine on the far side of the road & disappearing in the bushes. This is the
second account of sighting an exclusively wild animal crossing the road in this week, previous being a sambhar which I had
spotted in Anmod ghat 6 days ago. I have decided to go to have a look for it tomorrow morning while the tracks are fresh.
May be it is a start of a new phase in my life.

28th Nov (Day 2)

I got up early at 6 and started preparing to set out. College or ant other work didn't seem to interest me. I called up Saish
and informed about the incident. He agreed to accompany me. I packed and left. I got down at the place where the said
incident had happened. It is a long stretch and looks similar throughout. It took me around half an hour to find the exact
spot. But as I did, it was a great feeling which I never felt before. The night had not ditched me. It had preserved the
pugmarks exactly as they were on the loose soil at the roadside. This was the time when I felt that I would have got a camera
with me to capture how beautifully it was preserved.
I headed in the direction in which it had gone while Saish joined me. We followed the line. But didn't get any obvious
evidences as urine smell or scats, but Saish noted a broken tree. It had broken due to load imposed on it. It was very thin,
straight and less branched, on which a fully grown adult will never make a mistake of climbing in spite of having lot other
trees which can accommodate it properly. If the marks appearing on the bark of the tree indicate that it is the leopard who
broke it, then its climbing on such a tree strengthens my prediction of it being a jouvinile. Searching that area for long,
we found nothing more. There was no point in looking for more pugmarks as when you are searching for a leopard, every mark
for you is a pugmark.
We then decided to head towards the grassland from where it had possibly descended into the field and then made it for the
road. We reached the grassland which Saish calls 'Hunter's Playground' in few minutes. We inspected the area and headed for
another grassland a kilometer away. There, we found a cave, possibly used as shelter by deers. We found scats of hare, jackal,
wild cat, but no sign of a leopard. May be it is not a resident of the area. But I am not disappointed. The search is on.

The "Dump" issue

2008-11-01T11:21:00.000+05:30

While going from Ponda to Khandepar, there is a small road going up the hill.
There is a small village their and it is an ecologically rich area.
But now as the garbage ghost is rising and there is no place to throw the garbage, the Sarpanch has decided to throw the garbage around this village.
The villagers are agitated and are opposing this act. This, nowadays, is on the rise which we have witnessed in the mining and megacomplex issues.
Co-ordinator of our nature club (GNSC), Mr. Ajay Dongre, has assured them his support to the villagers. We also will be participating in this capaign.
The villagers are capable of fighting for themselves and we will stand for the environment.
Anyone interested in supporting this campaign can join us in the village at 10:00.
I will be uploading the happenings the day after tommorrow.

Good News

2008-08-18T15:41:00.000+05:30

Following is a post published by Mr. Prakash Pawar who has been working for tiger conservation for several years in an orkut community.

Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.
Four districts namely Ratnagiri in Konkan, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur in upper region of Maharashtra has been declared as Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. This demand has been fulfilled by Central Government after two years long wait. Above mentioned four districts consists of 180 villages out of which forty one villages are from Ratnagiri district in
Konkan.This Tiger Project has total area of 1627 Sq,Km. of which 629 Sq.Km is part of Koyana and Chandoli Sanctuary which also is part of project. According to last census nine tigers were counted in the region besides numbers of leopards, bears and bisons.

This is really a good news for all wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Dudhsagar Day-2

2008-08-02T11:51:00.000+05:30

We left Sonaulim in the early morning as we had to reach our destination as soon as possible. It was around 5 kms. more. We walked and finally reached the spot where we were supposed to stay on the previous day - The Dudhsagar viewpoint.

The Milk Sea was looking as beautiful and fresh as ever.Parag sir lit a 'chool' over there and prepared the tea.

The Milk Sea in its full Glory

We enjoyed the beauty of Dudhsagar while taking the sips.We climbed up till Dudhsagar and explored the area.

A Mushroom

Xyleria (Dead man's Fingers)

Another species of Xyleria

Nephrolepis (Fern)

Plane

Malabar Torrent Dart (Male)

The first and only mammal sighting was over there. We saw around a dozen of bonnet macaques(Macaca radiata). Some on huge rocks and some, walking skillfully on the railway track.

We also spotted a monitor lizard.
It was already time, and we decided to come back by train. We finally got the train after waiting for around 2 hours.It was a carriage train and it was fun travelling on it standing outside.Finally we reached Collem and drove back home in the car.Our Dudhsagar expedition was successful.

From Railways to the Milk Sea

2008-07-21T11:12:00.000+05:30

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

2008-07-12T09:37:00.000+05:30

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

2008-07-05T22:48:00.000+05:30

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.

2008-06-27T22:22:00.000+05:30

Friends, Paytalee is a place near Khandepar, Goa.

It is a paradise for bird watching.

We go there often.

This is a report of a trip which we had on 15th of this month.

Sorry for the delay.

Comments are welcome.

Date : 15/06/2008

I reached the stop at 7:15 as decided. Mandar, me and Utkarsh started our journey to Paytalee.

As we reached, we were welcomed by red vented Bulbuls.Today, it was not just a casual visit as usual.

Today we had a special purpose.

Mr. Parag Rangnekar, who studies the insects and works for their conservation was to come there at Paytalee to see the place.

Paytalee being a paradise which lets you experience nature's beauty and the biodiversity, he was impressed by the discription and the number of bird species found there.

Kaustubh and Omkar were to accompany him as he didn’t know the road.

As we climbed , Parag sir's car passed us. It started raining shortly and we reached at a point where they were standing with umbrellas.

As we moved, we could hear the calls of birds and the sound of gushing water.

After a short while, we reached the lake, the heart of Paytalee.

The lake was dry as the small dams were opened and the water was flowing freely.

We saw numerous amount of butterfly species over there like Rustic, Tailed jay, Soldier(Chocolate Pansy),common castor, Mormon, plains Cupid etc.

Chocolate Pansy

Tailed Jay

Parag sir made us familiar with the dragon flies and Damsel flies. He showed us a dragonfly named as Paddy Field Skimmer.

We saw both male and female.

Paddy Field Skimmer

While moving forward, we saw a beautiful insect known as Tortoise.

It was yellow coloured and had black spots and transparent ring from the side.

Then we moved towards the rocks which follow the lake.

There was a waterfall formed there due to flowing rain water.

There we saw different kinds of dragonflies and damsel flies.

We saw the Damsel fly called Malabar Torrent Dart which is endemic to the Western Ghats.

Malabar Torrent Dart

We were even lucky to see their process of laying eggs and even mating.

Green Marsh Hawk Mating

We spent a lot of time exploring that area.

Men at Work

Then me and Mandar went up the rocks to discover several species of mushrooms and the outer case of a spider.

A Fern

A Fungal Growth on a decaying Tree

While I was up there, he saw a small red crab which I couldn't see but I was fortunate to see a bigger crab after a short while which he could not see.

Its lot more fun watching these crabs play in wild than watching them in fisherwomen's buckets.

We went a bit higher where we found two insects of the same kind.

They looked wonderful.

Unidentified Insect

Then we came down .

There we ate the sprouting cashew seed.

They were tasty and ate those for the first time.

They all went towards the swamps with Parag sir.

But I headed straight forward where I observed dense vegetation and big rocks (habitat suitable for a leopard.) But comparatively nearer to human settlements.

So no chances of a leopard being there.

But can't say in today's condition. We all know about the Bicholim incidents.

I came back and joined them.

We made our way through the water and joined the path from which we had come.

While coming, we saw a common Iora in breeding plumage on a tree located on the other side of the lake.

On the way, Parag sir plucked some fruits known as "Karmalaan" in konkani.

He gave each of us the pieces.

When we again came back to the lake, we saw a magnificent butterfly known as 'Silver line'.

Its specialty is that it appears as if they are two and mating.

But actually it is a single one.

This makes their predator to attack from back and they get a chance to run away. (Its their defence mechanism.)

Nothing much amazing had happened till then.

At least not till the person who had come with Parag sir saw something and called him.

When I looked in the direction thinking that it would be a fly, to my astonishment, it was a trinket snake.

I was excited.

For that fraction of the second, I experienced the energy which I had not felt till then on that trip.

I jumped over the wall as it passed over the fence.

I sprinted and followed it heroically.

But to my disappointment, it went into the roots of a tree.

The roots were dense and hard.

Without loosing hope, I tried my best to get it out.

But it was neither visible nor did it come out.

It was not possible to get it out without damaging the roots.

After searching for sometime, we decided to leave.

It was a great day.

I was happy because of the whole impact but a bit disappointed because of the trinket incident.

Introduction

2008-06-16T15:25:00.001+05:30

Born at the foot of the mountain called 'Mardangad', which is rich in its flora and fauna, In village called Dhavli near Ponda (Goa), I am attracted towards the forest from my childhood.

The walks through the forest, which initially meant just as an adventure to me, started inculcating curiosity about the forest.

As I learnt the importance of the forests and the different life forms it nourished within it, The curiosity and affection towards nature grew.

But the actual step towards making an attempt to actually study those creatures was taken when I joined our college nature club.

It is then when I met Mr. Ajay Dongre,who is a teacher in the institute I learnt.

My mindset and the outlook towards the things like environment, wild life, conservation. changed when I met Ajay sir and my friend Saish Khandeparkar.

I started my journey with bird watching.

We started going for treks in groups.

This is just the start.

I intend to learn about the wild mammals, especially the big cats and work for their conservation.

I'll be writing the reports of treks which we carry out.

I will also try to bring to your notice some important things from this field.

Keep visiting and give your feedbacks.