Nature India announces its very very special bird-watching trip to Desert National Park & Khichan (from 21st Dec’16 to 24th Dec’16).....
Despite a fragile ecosystem there exists birdlife in good nos. The region is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. The greatest attraction of the park is Great Indian Bustard, an endangered species. Desert National Park (DNP) is now the Last Abode of the Majestic Great Indian Bustard and this region probably is the last reliable site where there is a good chance to see them, though sadly not with any guarantee.
The area is also well represented by various species of mammals, rodents & reptiles like Indian Gazelle (Chinkara), Blue bull (Neelgay), Desert & Indian Fox, Wolf, Desert & Jungle Cat,
Spiny-tailed lizard, Hedgehog, Spectacled Cobra etc…
KHICHAN - Rendezvous with Demoiselle Cranes
Jodhpur to Mumbai
24th Dec.2016 - Train no. 22966 BGKT (Bhagat ki Kothi) BDTS Superfast Express starting from Bhagat Ki Kothi (in Jodhpur only) at 19.30 hours reaching Bandra Terminus on 25th Dec.2016 at 12.45 hours
OR
24th Dec.2016 - Train no. 12479 Suryanagari Express starting from Jodhpur at 18.45 hours reaching Bandra Terminus on 25th Dec.2016 at 11.35 hours
Total seats: 8 Pax only
This does not include train travel from Mumbai to Jodhpur & Jodhpur to Mumbai or any other charges and also any individual camera charges ....Individuals will have to pay additional charges if any to the forest dept. as per the rules.
Registration: You can register by sending a confirmatory mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non refundable Advance of Rs.9000/-
Date: 21st Dec'16 to 24th Dec'16 (travel
days excluded). The bookings for Desert National Park / Kheechan
bird-watching trip are on…..book your seats now (see the details at the
end).....Birdwatch in one and only one Desert of the South-east Asia
with Nature India...where Living is truly on the Edge...... Please See complete details (Itinerary, Charges etc) at the end of this Blog.
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DESERT NATIONAL PARK - Last Abode of the
Great Indian Bustard
Great Indian Bustard
The
Thar Desert, often called an 'ocean of sand', covers a large area of
western Rajasthan. The fragile ecosystem of the Thar supports a unique
and varied wildlife. In this vast ocean of sands lies the famous Desert
National Park. More than 60 per cent of it is simply semi-arid desert.
The seemingly barren lands gradually dissolve at the horizon touching
Pakistan. But the warm sands of the Desert National Park beyond
Jaisalmer form a fertile micro broth hiding an astounding variety of
animals and birds. DNP, a World Heritage Site, falls in the extreme hot and arid region of very low rainfall zone (<100mm).
To relieve the magical experience of our Feb.2015 trip, wonderfully narrated by Mr. Jitendra Bhatia, please visit below link
Though
one of the smallest deserts in the world, it harbors a wide array of
flora and fauna species. It is only place where Rajasthan State Bird
(Great Indian Bustard), State animal (Chinkara) and State tree (Khejri)
and State flower (Rohida) are found naturally. Thar desert has
representatives of Palaearctic, Oriental and Saharan elements and is an
outstanding example of geological history representing the different
stages of evolution. It also has fossil evidences dating back to the
Jurassic Period (180 mya) indicating hot and humid climate characterized
by dense forests.
We always think that wildlife is in good nos. only when, there are lot
of trees… Come to Desert National Park (DNP) & you will be amazed to
see the eco system here and bio-diversity. A National Park with huge
area of 3162 sq. km is second largest National Park of India after Hemis
National Park (4400 sq. km) in Ladakh. The major landform consists of
craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, inters medial areas and
fixed dunes. Sand dunes form around 20% of the Park.
Despite a fragile ecosystem there exists birdlife in good nos. The region is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. The greatest attraction of the park is Great Indian Bustard, an endangered species. Desert National Park (DNP) is now the Last Abode of the Majestic Great Indian Bustard and this region probably is the last reliable site where there is a good chance to see them, though sadly not with any guarantee.
Apart
from GIB, the park host a large variety of migratory & resident
birds, including Macqueen’s (houbara) Bustard, Black-crowned Sparrow
Lark, Short-eared Owl, Chestnut-bellied; Black-bellied Sandgrouse,
Desert; Variable & Isabelline Wheatears, Stoliczka's Bushchat,
Imperial; Steppe; Tawny; Short-toed Snake Eagles, Laggar; Red-necked
& Peregrine Falcons, Cream-colored & Indian Coursers,
Red-headed, Cinereous & Egyptian Vultures, Bimaculated; Greater
Short-toed & Desert Larks, Desert Warbler, Merlin, Greater Hoopoe Lark, Plain Leaf Warbler, Desert Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Bay-backed & Southern Grey Shrike, Long-billed Pipit, Crested Lark, Grey Francolin, Montagu's & Pallid Harriers and many moré…
The area is also well represented by various species of mammals, rodents & reptiles like Indian Gazelle (Chinkara), Blue bull (Neelgay), Desert & Indian Fox, Wolf, Desert & Jungle Cat,
KHICHAN - Rendezvous with Demoiselle Cranes
Khichan
is a small, simple village in the Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, with
extraordinary people. The entire village is known for establishing a
tradition of feeding wild birds. Up to 5000kg of bird seed (Jwar) is
consumed by birds every day! The small village is known to bird-watchers
all over the world, mainly because of large nos. of Demoiselle Cranes,
which come here every winter.
Some
years ago, a section of local people of Khichan (Mainly: Late
Prithvirajji Malu, Late Kishan Lalji Malu, Late Ganeshmalji Malu and
Late Ratan Lalji Malu) started offering grains to birds every morning.
This attracted a large number of Demoiselle Cranes, locally called as
‘kurjas'. What started initially as a few dozen visiting birds has now
become a major migration with over 15000 cranes visiting the village
every winter. Khichan today is a World Heritage Site, attracting
tourists from around the world who come to see the Demoiselle cranes
feeding right in the middle of a human settlement. Every morning Cranes
gather in speacially created rectangular enclosure, called as "chugga
ghars", where the grains are poured by Jain community. There is a simple
ecological significance of this act. Because the cranes get the food
they need, in the Chugga Ghar, they don’t ravage the farmlands of
Khichan and surrounding villages, thereby averting a potential conflict
with humans.
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TRIP DETAILS
Date: 21st Dec 2016 09:00 hrs to 24th Dec 2016 18.00 hrs (travel days excluded)
Mode of Travel: Tempo traveller from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer to Jodhpur & local non A/C jeeps.
Overnight train travel can be booked from Mumbai..... however
since it is a busy sector, the train bookings should be done soon to
get the desired train and class .... there are just a couple of trains
available for Jodhpur from Mumbai....Nature India can ASSIST in bookings if required.
Train Booking:
Mumbai to Jodhpur
20th Dec.2016 - Train no. 12480 BDTS-JU Suryanagari Express starting from Bandra Terminus at 13.30 hours
Train Booking:
Mumbai to Jodhpur
20th Dec.2016 - Train no. 12480 BDTS-JU Suryanagari Express starting from Bandra Terminus at 13.30 hours
Jodhpur to Mumbai
24th Dec.2016 - Train no. 22966 BGKT (Bhagat ki Kothi) BDTS Superfast Express starting from Bhagat Ki Kothi (in Jodhpur only) at 19.30 hours reaching Bandra Terminus on 25th Dec.2016 at 12.45 hours
OR
24th Dec.2016 - Train no. 12479 Suryanagari Express starting from Jodhpur at 18.45 hours reaching Bandra Terminus on 25th Dec.2016 at 11.35 hours
Tour Itinerary:
1) Tuesday 20th Dec, 2016: Departure from Mumbai to Jodhpur by 12480 BDTS-JU Suryanagari Exp @ 13:30 Hrs.
2) Wednesday 21st Dec, 2016: Arrive
Jodhpur Station @ 6:30 Hrs - Proceed to Khichan / Phalodi (136 kms) to
witness the magnificent congregation of Demoiselle Cranes - Breakfast
with Cranes - Continue birding around Khichan - Lunch @ Pokharan - Reach
Barna, Jaisalmer (total 300 kms from Jodhpur) - Check-in Pal Rajah
Resort - Dinner and Stay
3) Thursday 22nd Dec, 2016: Early
morning leave for Sudasari Forest Checkpost with packed breakfast and
there-on to explore the vast Desert National Park - Lunch @ Khuri
Village - Continue Bird-watching in DNP - Return to Jaisalmer - Dinner -
Night stay in Pal Rajah Resort.
4) Friday 23rd Dec, 2016: Early
morning leave for Sudasari Forest Checkpost with packed breakfast and
there-on to explore the vast Desert National Park - Lunch @ Khuri
Village - Continue Bird-watching in DNP - Return to Jaisalmer - Dinner -
Night stay in Pal Rajah Resort
5) Saturday 24th Dec, 2016: Early morning bird-watching in Desert National Park - Check out and start for Jodhpur - Lunch on the way - reach Jodhpur by 18.00 hours to catch 12479 Suryanagari Express
6) Sunday 25th Dec, 2016: Reach Mumbai by 11:35 Hrs.
More details on the itinerry will be given to those who register.....
Trip charges: Rs.23,400/- (Jodhpur to Jodhpur only)....
Includes Stay in Pal Rajah Resort, Barna on a twin sharing basis in
non-A/C mud house, Travel in Tempo traveller from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer & back, Local transport by
non-AC Jeeps, Park entry charges, Local guide charges, Delicious
Vegetarian food, Articles on Desert National Park / Khichan, Bird
checklist, on board mineral water and snacks……
This does not include train travel from Mumbai to Jodhpur & Jodhpur to Mumbai or any other charges and also any individual camera charges ....Individuals will have to pay additional charges if any to the forest dept. as per the rules.
Registration: You can register by sending a confirmatory mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non refundable Advance of Rs.9000/-
(The seats will only be confirmed after receiving the advance amount & our registration confirmation by email) …..the remaining amount can be forwarded 1 month before the trip.......Please Register soon to get the confirmed train bookings and the desired class of travel. We can assist you for train bookings.
Resource Persons: Mr.Adesh Shivkar & Mr.Mandar Khadilkar
Resource Persons: Mr.Adesh Shivkar & Mr.Mandar Khadilkar
Mode of Payment: You can either
1) Transfer non-refundable
advance amount of Rs. 9000/- directly to Adesh's HDFC A/c : (please
call Adesh @ 9820455713 for A/c no.) .... please mention your name,
date and other details….OR
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.9000/- as advance amount to the following address
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.9000/- as advance amount to the following address
Name: Mr. Adesh Shivkar
Address: D-8, The Adi Janata Society, Behind HP Petrolpump, Near Sion Signal, Sion (East), Mumbai-400022.
Please Note:
1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 9000/- is strictly non-refundable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours
http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html
1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 9000/- is strictly non-refundable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours
3) Nest photography or any collection of specimens is prohibited
4) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with Nature India's rules and policieshttp://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html
Please contact us, in case you need any clarification …..
For any other queries we are available on 9869071091 / 9820455713 (Adesh) or 9930318665 / 9967518665 (Mandar) or natureindiatours@gmail.com
Hope to see you for this wonderful trip !!
Thanks for your patience.
Warm Regards,
Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
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