Kaas, Satara (The Plateau of Flowers) - September, 2015 (2 Batches) 11th to 13th & 18th to 20th Sep'15

Nature India announces the much awaited and the most popular trip to Kaas Plateau, Satara- The Plateau of Flowers.....There will be 2 batches to start with...... 1st batch from 11th to 13th Sep'15 & 2nd batch from 18th to 20th Sep'15  .... the bookings are on  (For knowing complete details, like Itinerary, Charges, Logistics etc... you will have to see the details at the end.)

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Important Notice: The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has recently included Kaas Plateau of flowers (near Satara, in Maharashtra) in the list of World Natural Heritage sites. However, In recent years the Popularity of Kaas has increased many folds and the increase in numbers of tourists have resulted in a direct or indirect impact on its bio-diversity.  The lack of proper guidelines and limited patrolling by the forest department is causing a tremendous stress to this fragile ecosystem.  Without any proper regulation and control, Kaas has unfortunately turned into a picnic spot, with rowdy tourists plucking and trampling flowers, parking vehicles on the plateau, littering garbage and creating a mess. .... Hence we propose the following guidelines to be followed when visiting Kaas. Please take a note that, those of you who are interested to travel with  Nature India to Kaas Plateau, these guidelines will be implemented and binding on all of us. Kindly register, only if you agree on these guidelines.

http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/naturte-india-policies-for-kaas-plateau.html

Have a look at this blog by our participants in Sept. 2012, to know how we conduct the tour (This was also published in the English daily newspaper "Mumbai Mirror" last year). 

http://www.travelwithacouple.com/the-ethereal-kaas

There are some places in Maharashtra, where you will feel blessed. One such place is Kaas Plateau, Satara. This "Out of the world" place deserves to be visited atleast once from 25th Aug to 10th Oct to witness not only the amazing array of wild flowers, but also the serene atmosphere that mesmerizes one's soul.....

Sure, you all must have heard about “Valley of flowers” in Himalayas where hundreds of varieties of wild flowers of all colours bloom in August – September every year….where the valley transforms into no less than a “Heaven” ……hundreds of visitors toil several kms to reach this valley and to experience the bliss.

However, not many know that a similar (though, probably not as majestic as the Himalayan site) place exists in Maharashtra…..its a “Plateau of flowers”….. famously known as “Kaas plateau” situated approx. 25 kms from Satara city and is now also declared by UNESCO as one of the World's Natural heritage site.

The lateritic plateau of Kaas becomes home to millions of tiny flowers in late monsoons. The whole spectacle is beyond words. More than 500 varieties of wild flowers, herbs, orchids, shrubs, insectivorous plants etc. can be seen here in Aug and Sep (Best time is 25^th Aug to 10^th Oct)…..depending on monsoon. This plateau overlooks the lush evergreen forests that serves as a water catchment area of Koyna Dam and which is recently declared as “Sahyadri Tiger reserve” ……….

In monsoon the whole area transforms into an unbelievable carpets of (Tiny) flowers like yellow carpets of Smithia and Sonki flowers, Pink carpets of Balsam, Purple carpets of Karvi etc….

It is a dream destination not only for avid botanists but also for those who appreciate nature. These carpets change colours almost every week depending on the dominant flowers during that time.

The place is also unique forming a typical "table top" landscape where you can see the red patches of laterite rocks typically called ‘Sadaa’ in Marathi.

Thoseghar Waterfalls:

Thoseghar is situated in Satara District with most enchanting natural surroundings, along with beautiful views of windmills at nearby Chalkewadi. During the Monsoon season Thoseghar is always a prime attraction for the people. Thoseghar is famous for its high Waterfalls that are attractive and create a loud noise in the calm nature. These waterfalls are also accompanied by a clean lake, dark woods and massive hilly terrain. The main waterfall is about 115 mts in height, however, one can only get a glimpse from a distance.

From the parking space, the waterfalls are a few minutes walk, through well wooded countryside. The falls are situated in a steep U shaped valley, with the main falls at the apex of the 'U' and smaller falls on one side of the 'U'. On the other side, a viewing platform has been created for observers to enjoy this wonderful display of nature.

You can see a video clip of this marvelous waterfall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgffYyf7UTA

Bird Life: Though our focus is always on the flowers of Kaas plateau, we wont be missing out on the birdlife which abounds here with some good sightings expected of Crested Buntings, Malabar Crested Larks, Oriental White-eyes, Bonelli’s Eagle. It is a heaven for Macro photography too.

Nature India once again brings you their signature tour of Kaas Plateau, Satara that   is meticulously planned and combines learning, sensitivity and also loads of fun. Our passionate resource persons will make your visit to this amazing place a trip to remember. Please find the details below.

For trip reports by other  Nature India participants, click here.
http://natureindia-tours.blogspot.in/2009/07/final-trip-reports.html#kaas

http://natureindia-tours.blogspot.in/2009/07/trip-experiences-by-nature-india-tours.html

http://wanderlust-avi.blogspot.in/2011/09/monsoon-is-just-one-of-those-times-when.html

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Complete Trip Details

Though the trip will be focused on watching the flora and to learn more about them, we would also not miss the other fauna such as birds, butterflies and amphibians that are found in plenty there….

Dates:

Batch 1: 11^th Sep, 2015 morning 6.30 am to 13^th Sep, 2015 eve 10.00 pm (Friday to Sunday)

Batch 2: 18^th Sep, 2015 morning 6.30 am to 20^th Sep, 2015 eve 10.00 pm (Friday to Sunday)

Resource persons: Mr.Adesh Shivkar, Mr.Mandar Khadilkar & Mrs.Sweedle Cerejo-Shivkar

Mode of Travel : By Minibus (27 seater) from Mumbai (considering the extensive travel to cover the area and also the to and fro travel from Hotel to the Plateau everyday)

Rough Itinerary:

1) Friday (Day 1) : Depart for Kaas, Satara from Bandra (E) at 6.30 am…..Breakfast on the way.....reach by around 1.30 pm- Check in Hotel – Lunch – Proceed to experience the grandeur of floral carpets on the plateau.... return by 7 pm...Stay in Hotel Suruban

2) Saturday (Day 2) : Start early morning to the plateau to experience the grandeur of floral carpets on the plateau .... lunch ....  proceed to the Ghat to watch the species that grow on the slopes – return back at 7 pm.... Stay in Hotel Suruban
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3) Sunday (Day 3) : Start early for a visit Thoseghar Waterfalls to enjoy the grandeur of monsoon......Return to Hotel at 12 pm – Lunch – Checkout and depart for Mumbai – reach Bandra (E) by 10.00 pm.

Trip Charges (for both batches): Rs.6500/-

Includes Stay at Hotel Suruban in Satara on a twin sharing basis in Non AC rooms, Travel by minibus (27 seater), Entry fees, parking charges, veg meals, Articles on Kaas and Wild flowers, on board snacks and Mineral water…….this trip involves extensive travel time (6 hrs from Mumbai to Satara)

This does not include any charges other then the above... the camera charges (As per the equipment) have to be borne by the respective participants.

Please be prepared for long walks to reach the plateau...

Important Note: Due to huge influx of tourists in Kaas, the forest dept. have imposed certain regulations and restrictions from last year and these will be intensified this year. Hence request all to be prepared for any sudden restrictions and hike in fees.... and co-operate with us.

Mode of Payment

Registration: You can register by sending a non-refundable advance of Rs.4500/- and a mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com. Your seats will be confirmed only after our registration confirmation by return mail ..... the remaining amount will be collected in the bus on the day of travel.

Payment: You can either

1) Transfer the advance money directly to my HDFC A/c : (Please call Mandar@ 9930318665 for A/c no.) .... please mention your name, date and other details….

2) Courier a cheque of Rs.4500/- to the following address

Name: Mr.Mandar Khadilkar

Address: Flat No.2, Ground Floor, Blossom CHSL, Below Shantighan Hospital, LM Road, Kandarpada, Dahisar-West, Mumbai - 400068.

Please Note:

1) The seats will be confirmed only against the advance amount on first come basis.

2) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 4500/- is strictly non-refunadable

3) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours

4) Plucking flowers or collecting specimens is strictly not allowed in our tours
5) 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 reply to us, in case you need any clarifications …..

For any other queries we are available on  9820455713 / 9869071091 (Adesh) or 9930318665 / 9967518665 (Mandar) or natureindiatours@gmail.com 

Click here to view some images from this amazing place…….

http://picasaweb.google.com/adesh.shivkar/KassSataraThePlateauOfFlowers15th16thSep07
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritbphotos/sets/72157594289655216/

Hope to see you for this wonderful trip

Thanks for your patience.

Warm Regards,

Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar

Nature India

Appreciate, Respect & Conserve

Some Memories of Nature India tours

In search of Lesser Florican - Sonkhaliya, Ajmer (21st to 22nd August 2015)

Once again comes the long awaited a fascinating trip to see one of the most "Charismatic" Species of bird that has charmed both birders and photographers alike.... The Lesser Florican

Bookings for Sonkhaliya Grasslands, Ajmer trip from 21st Aug to 22nd Aug 2015 are open (travel days excluded)...for details see at the end..... Hurry up and register fast as this trip is eagerly awaited by many...

Important Note: Because it is a Critically endangered species, we have decided not to take a large group, hence there will be limited no. of seats (8 seats only) for this trip..... 

Click here to view last years trip report
http://nikimor.blogspot.in/2013/09/ajmer-trip-report.html

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SONKHALIYA GRASSLANDS - AJMER

You all must obviously be knowing our omnipresent National Bird - Peacock, also called "Mor" in vernacular. But ever heard of "Tanmor" or "Khar Mor" ?

Well..... its a bird that is high on wishlist of many Birders and photographers not just from India, but also around the World. Popularly called "Lesser Florican" (Sypheotides indicus), or Likh. This species is a typical Grassland bird about a size of little bigger than a village hen. The Lesser Florican is a shy bird and are rarely encountered outside their breeding season and region. During monsoon when it breeds in grasslands, the male Lesser Florican, exhibits a unique and spectacular courtship display, risking its life. It jumps up about 1.5-2 meters in air, flapping its wings, as if shot up by a spring below like a trapeze artist showing the magnificent design of wings, with a peculiar croaking or knocking call, At the apogee of the leap the neck is arched backwards and the legs folded as if in a sitting posture.He repeats the performance several times to lure a female which maybe be somewhere close-by observing his antics. This courtship display lasts for a period of few days. The breeding system is said to be a dispersed lek with each male holding a territory of about 1-2 hectares.

Unfortunately, like many Grassland birds, this species along with the Great Indian Bustard is also facing threat due to habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching and pesticide pollution. They now remain in just few pockets of India and are considered Critically endangered species. The species is said to move in response to rainfall and their presence at locations can be erratic, with sudden large numbers in some seasons. Breeding areas are today restricted mainly to Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, some areas in southern Nepal and parts of Andhra Pradesh.

The endangered birds, Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican have got a dedicated land for breeding in the Shonkaliya Region of Ajmer District, Rajasthan. The villagers of Ajmer District have agreed to conserve 30 hectares of land for the breeding activity of these endangered birds.

In the Sonkhaliya area of Ajmer farmers were growing gram. Due to poor rains gram cultivation was not economical. Therefore the farmers were advised by the Agriculture Department to shift to Mung cultivation. which takes only 60 days. Mung crop needs much less spray of chemical pesticides and is less damaging to birds. Mung cultivation in this area has been observed since 2005. It was after this shift in agriculture that the forest officials in the region started reporting the increase in nos. of Lesser Florican. Over the years, the no. of Lesser Floricans as well as Great Indian Bustards have increased to substantial nos. thanks to both the efforts of Farmers and Forest officials.

Apart from the above flagship species, Sonkhaliya is a great place to see a number of other grassland and scrub land species like Eurasian Eagle Owl, Spotted Owlet, Larks, Pipits, Quails, Francolins, Sandgrouse, Lapwings, Raptors, Coursers, Munias, Doves etc…..

Here are some reports from the area by some birders .....

http://birdsnbeyond.blogspot.in/2012/09/sonkhaliya-quails-owls-and-floricans.html

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Nature India tours has meticulously organized a birding trip to this lesser known spot from 21^st Aug to 22^nd Aug'15 (travel days excluded) with experts in the field.

TRAVEL & STAY ITINERARY. (Ex. Ajmer )

Though this trip will be focused on Lesser Florican and to learn more about them, we will also get to see the variety of other bird species that inhabit this landscape ..….

Date: 21st Aug 2015, morning 8.00 am to 22nd Aug 2015 eve 8.00 pm

Resource person:  A Well-known Forest Guard who has been studying this species in Ajmer area
Assistant resource persons: Mr.Mandar Khadilkar 

TRIP ITINERARY (Itinerary is Ex.Ajmer) 

Day 1: Thursday 20^th Aug, 2015 .

Board the 12989 +Ajmer Express from Dadar @ 14:35 Hrs  

Day 2: Friday 21^st Aug, 2015 .
Pick up at Ajmer Train Station at 8.05 am .… Drive to Hotel in Ajmer…. Check-in….. Quick breakfast…….Proceed towards Sonkhaliya / Nasirabad about 40 kms from Ajmer…. Lunch in local dhaba ..... Continue birding ..... return to hotel by evening ...... Days revision and discussion ...… dinner… Stay @ Hotel in Ajmer 

Day 3: Saturday 22^nd Aug, 2015
After Early breakfast.... visit Sonkhaliya and the surrounding habitat for the Lesser Flrorican and other Grassland birds - Lunch in local dhaba- Continue birding - return to hotel by 5.00 pm - Pack-up evening snacks and leave for Ajmer station to catch 22996 AII BDTS SF Exp at 08:30 pm 

Day 4: Sunday, 23^rd Aug, 2015
Reach Mumbai by 14:20 Hrs

More details on the Itinerary will be given to those who register.....

Please note: This is primarily a Bird-watching trip. We do not have any provision for sight-seeing in our trips.

Trip Charges : Rs.9300 Ex. Ajmer 
(This includes stay in Hotel @ Ajmer on twin sharing basis, Veg / non-veg food, breakfast, tea, local transport by Trax criuser/toofan jeeps, entry fees, guide charges, Articles on the places to be visited & on board snacks ……)

This does not include travel charges to & fro Ajmer or any charges other than the above.

Travel options to reach Ajmer :Kindly note that there are several travel options to reach Ajmer, however, the best one is as suggested in the itinerary above. People can also travel from Jaipur, but its a very long way an an expensive option (Participants will have to arrange for their own travel from Jaipur).

Stay Arrangement: Hotel Neelkamal in Ajmer on twin sharing basis in non AC rooms. We would require to travel to & from Hotel to the Sonkhaliya Grasslands.

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmatory mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com  and by paying a non refundable advance of Rs.5500/- only after we confirm your registration by email …..the remaining amount will be collected on the day of travel.

Mode of Payment: You can either...

1) Transfer the advance money directly to HDFC A/c : (please sms/call Mr. Adesh Shivkar for the A/c no.) .... please mention your name, date and other details….

2) Courier a cheque of Rs.5500/- 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
Ph.: +91-9820455713

Please Note:

1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs.5500/- is strictly non-refundable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours
3) We expect heavy rain throughout, hence will need to brave the rains during the trails.....please bring all the rain wears
4) 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 

For any other queries, please contact:-
Adesh Shivkar – 9820455713 /  9869071091
Mandar Khadilkar - 9930318665 / 9967518665
Or Email: natureindiatours@gmail.com

Hope to see you for this wonderful trip !!

Thanks for your patience.

Warm Regards,

Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar

Nature India

Appreciate, Respect & Conserve