Bhimashankar - The Sacred Forest (21st to 23rd Oct'16)

Nature India announces the eagerly awaited, ever green Dandeli trip. Date: 21st October, 2016 morning 6.30 am to 23rd October, 2016 eve 8.00 pm (travel dates excluded). The bookings for Bhimashankar WLS bird-watching trip are on ….. book your seats now (to know complete details of the trip please read till the end)..... Bird-watch in one of the sacred groves on Maharashtra in the bird-rich Western Ghat spot with Nature India

Click here to see reports by people who visited Bhimashankar with us.
http://tongnchic.blogspot.in/2011/11/bhimashankar.html

http://letsgoforavacation.blogspot.in/2008/12/birding-at-bhimashankar-my-big-zen.html 

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THE SACRED FOREST - BHIMASHANKAR

The beauty of the Western Ghats, the majesty of Sahyadri mountains, and the blessings of lord “Shiva” make this place a real treat for the nature lovers. The Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in India rich in birds and insects, butterflies and wildflowers, reptiles and medicinal plants.

Bhimashankar Sanctuary has always been my favorite forest and on more than 30 occasions that I visited this place, I always had magnificent experiences of nature’s wonders. The tranquility that this place offers, far from the maddening human world, is something that will make you visit this place again and again and again……such is the magic of Bhimashankar – the Sacred Forest.

This forest was declared by the govt. of Maharashtra on 10th Oct 1985 as a reserve forest for the Malabar Giant Squirrel also called as “Shekru” in Marathi, the state animal of Maharashtra and a huge number of other animals and birds. It covers a forest area of 130.78 sq. km.

The Sanctuary is positioned at an altitude of 2,100 feet to 3,800 feet. It is located in the Ambegaon taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra, in fact it spreads over Pune, Raigad and Thane districts of the north-western part of Maharashtra. The Bhimashankar temple situated here is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva and is visited by hundreds of devotees. However, due to the long distance and poor facilities, this is also one of the less visited “Jyotirlingas” ……. which is good for the forest :-)

The valley found beyond this temple is a wonderful combination of shrubs, medicinal herbs and plant life and serves as the catchment area for the Bhima, Ghod and Arala rivers, which empty into the Krishna. It receives heavy monsoon rainfall of approx. 5000 mm annually.

This is one of the best habitats in the Western Ghats for the Malabar giant squirrel and there are confirmed sightings of tigers too. However, tourism projects which seek to build in the heart of the forest threaten the arboreal ecology of these creatures. Proposed roads also threaten the forest, as do development projects designed to cater to the needs of pilgrims who visit the nearby temple complex.

Flora: It contains relic forest with a high diversity of endangered evergreen tree species many of which are endemic to the Western Ghats. The main forest type of this sanctuary is the southern tropical semi evergreen forest. A wide range of plant life, medicinal herbs, and shrubs can be found here. The major flora found in Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary includes Bamboo, Palash, Babul, Bija, Salaia, Tendu, Dhawda, Zizyphus Helicteris, Khair, Sal, Terminenalia sps, Casia auriculata, Bel, Hiwar, Teak, Hirda, Behada, Jamun, Fig, Anjan etc. The commonly found shrubs include varieties of Ixora, Vitex Nigundo, Lantana etc. and many species of herbs, climbers, grass and ferns.

An Excellent place for Macro Photography too..................

In the monsoon season, one can spot bioluminescent fungi growing on some trees. The fungus gives out a faint glow that makes the tree trunks shimmer gently in the darkness of the night.

Fauna: The area is rich in fauna since there are various forest types found in the sanctuary. The wild life found here includes Malabar Giant Squirrel (of the ssp. Ratufa indica elphinstonii), Leopards, Barking Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Langur, Hares, Pangolin, Civet cats, and occasionally Hyena. 

More than 150 species of birds are found in Bhimashankar WLS and the surrounding areas. Among the birds that one encounters here include White-Bellied Blue flycatcher, Puff-throated babbler, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Brown cheeked Fulvetta, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Black Bulbul, Indian Black Bird, Black Eagle, Bonelli’s eagle, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Emerald Doves, Oriental turtle dove, Grey Jungle Fowl and many, many more. One might get to see the great butterfly and moth brigade including several species. The Insect life is tremendous here and the reptiles are in plenty.

 











There are several well defined trails in the sanctuary to experience the amazing birdlife of this forest …some of them include the Gupt-Bhimashankar trail, Machan trail, Nagphani point, Forest quarters trail, Koli village, Ahupe forest trail etc….

For Details of these trails and much more….please click on the blogs below

http://addithebirde.blogspot.com/2008/05/bhimashankar-wls-fact-file.html

http://addithebirde.blogspot.com/2008/05/bhimashankar-sacred-forest.html

We are very happy to organize a Birdwatching trip to Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary from 21^st October, 2016 to 23^rd October 2016……for details, please see below.

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TRIP SCHEDULE & OTHER DETAILS 

Date: 21^st October, 2016 morning 6.30 am to 23^rd October, 2016 eve 8.00 pm

Mode of Travel :  AC Tempo traveller (a journey of about 6 hrs…..approx.250 kms)

Rough Tour Itinerary:

1) Friday 21st Oct, 2016 : Travel to Bhimashankar – Check-in Ratva Resort – Lunch and proceed for Birdwatching on Machan Trail – return back to Hotel –  Dinner – a Short night walk

2) Saturday 22nd Oct, 2016 : Early morning Birdwatching in Gupt Bhimashankar trail – Return to resort for lunch – Rest and Proceed to Nagphani point (the highest point in Bhimashankar) – Return back to hotel – Evening activities and dinner – a short night trail…

3) Sunday 23rd Oct, 2016 : Early morning Birdwatching on Ahupe forest trail till Kondhval village and surrounding area - afternoon return back – Pack-up – Lunch and proceed to Mumbai.

A more detailed itinerary will be given to those who register.....

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Trip charges : Rs.8500/- (Includes Stay in Hotel Ratwa Resort, Bhimashankar on sharing basis, Travel by 17 seater AC minibus, Park entry charges, food , Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)…….
This does not include any charges other than the above.

Group Size : 10 persons only

Registration: You can register by sending a detailed mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying non-refundable advance of Rs.5000/- (and only after our registration confirmation by return mail .....) as per the payment guidelines given below…...

Stay Arrangement: Hotel Ratwa Resorts, approx. 5 kms from Bhimashankar. The Stay arrangement is on a sharing basis (each room has 3 beds or 5 beds each). The Hotel Premises and toilets are clean and the food is lip smacking……

The resort is situated in a picturesque hill top plateau, overlooking a forested valley and visited by plenty of birds.

Resource Persons: Mr.Adesh Shivkar and Mr. Mandar Khadilkar

Mode of Payment: You can either
1) Courier a cheque in favour of "Adesh Shivkar"of Rs.5000/- to the following address:
Name: Mr. Adesh Shivkar
Address: D-8, The Adi Janata Soc. Behind HP Petrol Pump, Near Sion Signal, Sion-East, Mumbai-400022

2) Transfer the money directly to HDFC A/c (Please email us for the account no.).. please mention your name, date and other details….

Please Note:

1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 5000/- is strictly non-refundable
2) The seats will be confirmed only against the advance amount on first come basis and after our email confirmation
3) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours
4) There is weak (Mtnl) / no mobile coverage in Bhimashankar, but you can get a good network coverage about a km from the campsite
5) Nest Photography or any collection of specimens is prohibited
6) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with Nature India's rules and policies
http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html

Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification …..

For any other queries we are available on 9869071091 or 9820455713 (Adesh) or 9930318665 or 9967518665(Mandar)

Thanks for your patience.

Looking forward for a very rewarding trip with you all !!

Warm Regards,

Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar