Wednesday, February 10, 2016

PENCH NATIONAL PARK - Origin of the 'The Jungle Book' - 13th May to 15th May, 2016


Another long awaited trip from Nature India...This time its in the abode of "Mowgli" .... the place that inspired Rudyard Kipling to write his famous book - The Jungle Book ........

Dates: 13th May to 15th May 2016 (Travel days excluded) The bookings for Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh Wildlife trip is on…..book your seats NOW to get the desired train bookings (see the details at the end) ..... If you want the thrill of exploring the Indian Wildlife in the most beautiful setting, it is here…

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PENCH NATIONAL PARK - The origin of the "Jungle Book"

Pench National park, nestling in the lower southern reaches of the satpuda hills is named after Pench river, meandering through the park from north to south. It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra, in the districts of Seoni and Chhindwara.Pench National Park, comprising of 758 SQ Kms, out of which a core area of 299 sq km of Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park and the Mowgli Pench Sanctuary and remaining 464 sq km of pench national park is the buffer area.
















The area of the present tiger reserve has a glorious history. A description of its natural wealth and richness occurs in Ain-i-Akbari. Several natural history books like R. A. Strendale's 'Seonee - Camp life in Satpura Hills,' Forsyth's 'Highlands of Central India' and Dunbar Brander's 'Wild Animals of Central India' explicitly present the detailed panorama of nature's abundance in this tract. Strendale's semi-autobiographical 'Seonee' was the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.














Land of the "The Jungle Book" : The Pench Tiger Reserve and its neighbourhood is the original setting of Rudyard Kipling's most famous work, The Jungle Book. Kipling borrowed heavily from Robert Armitage Strendale's books 'Seonee', 'Mammalia of India and Ceylon' and 'Denizens of the Jungle' for the topography, wildlife, and its ways. Mowgli was inspired by Sir William Henry Sleeman's pamphlet, 'An Account of Wolves Nurturing Children in Their Dens' which describes a wolf-boy captured in Seoni district near the village of Sant Baori in 1831. Many of The Jungle Book's locations are actual locations in Seoni District, like the Waingunga river with its gorge where Sherkhan was killed, Kanhiwara villlage and the 'Seeonee hills'. Local tribals, mostly Gonds, revere Mansingh Deo, a legendary figure who was believed to be a magician who had supernatural healing powers. He would ride into the local bazaar on his tiger. There are two temples dedicated to him, the Chhota Mansingh and Bada Mansingh temples.


Topography: The terrain of the park is undulating with mainly gentle slopes criss-crossed by streams and nullahs. Most of these water courses are seasonal. Many of the hills are flat-topped and allow fine vistas of the forests around. The best known of these is 'Kalapahar' with an altitude of 650 mts. The Pench river flowing through the centre of the Reserve is dry by April but a number of water pools locally known as 'dohs' are found, which serve as waterholes for wild animals. A few perennial springs also exist. Recently a number of earthen ponds and shallow wells have been developed leading to well distributed sources of water all around the reserve. 

Conservation History: In the year 1977 an area of 449.39 sq km was declared Pench Sanctuary. Out of this, an area of 292.85 sq km was declared Pench National Park in the year 1983 and 118.31 sq km remained as Pench Sanctuary. In 1992 Government of India declared 757.89 sq km area including the National Park and the sanctuary as the 19th Tiger Reserve of the country. The name of Pench National Park was changed to "Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park" in November 2002 Similarly the name of Pench Sanctuary has been changed to "Mowgli Pench Sanctuary". 

The Pench hydroelectric dam straddles the Maharashtra - Madhya Pradesh boundary. The dam, constructed between 1973 and 1988 has resulted in the submergence of about 74 sq km area out of which 54 km is in the Park, the rest being in Maharashtra.




Wildlife: Tiger is the main cat species of the park present in good numbers. Commonly seen wildlife is chital, sambhar, nilgai, wild boar, and jackal. Other wild animals found are leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, porcupine, jungle cat, fox, striped hyena, gaur, chowsingha and barking deer. There are more than 200 species of birds including several migratory ones. Some of them are peafowl, junglefowl, crow pheasant, crimson-breasted barbet, red-vented bulbul, racket-tailed drongo, magpie robin, lesser whistling teal, pintail, shoveler, egret and herons. This national park is rich with chitals i.e. axis axis or more commonly spotted deer.
There are 10 villages in the national park - 1 inside the park (Fulzari) and 9 on the periphery.

As per 2011 Tiger Census ; There are 25 tigers under this umbrella of the Park. 39 species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles, 3 species of amphibians. Apart from mammals and other land-based wildlife, the park is also rich in bird life. According to an estimation of the wildlife authorities, the bird population in the park counts to be over 210 species like barbets, bulbul, minivets orioles, wagtails, munias, mynas, waterfowls, kingfishers etc.


Vegetation: The high habitat heterogeneity favours high population of Chital and Sambar. Pench tiger reserve has highest density of herbivores in India (90.3 animals per sq km).The forests are mainly Southern tropical dry deciduous and dry mixed deciduous forests.Teak Tectona grandis dominates, comprising 25-50 per cent of the species. Moyan, Mahua, Mokha, Skiras, Tendu, Bijra, Garari etc. are associates of teak. Dhaora Anogeissus latifolia, lendia/seja Lageostroemia parviflora, saja Terminalia tomentosa, salai Boswellia serrata, bija Pterocarpus marsupium, bhirra Chloroxylon swietenia and sirus Albizzia lebbeck are other trees. Bamboo occurs sparsely, restricted to some valleys. Chiltai, mahulbel and palas bhel are common climbers in areas along the river and large water sources.

In Chhindwara, you would see weeds like chirota Cassia tora and gokharu Xanthium strumatium while in areas around Chedia, Alikatta, Tikari and Ambar village, Lantana camara predominates. Parthenium is found in submergence areas along the Pench river. Heteropogon contortus, Digitaria cilliaris and Eulaliopsis binata are common grasses.





Nature India has organized an exclusive trip to Pench National Park, from 13th May to 15th May, 2016 the details are given below.

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Tour Itinerary & Other Details: (Nagpur to Nagpur)

Day 1 (Thursday 12th May'2016) : Departure from Mumbai by 12289 Nagpur Duranto Express from CST @ 20:15 Hrs

Day 2 (Friday 13th May'2016) :Arrival at 07:20 hours to Nagpur - Breakfast - Proceed to Pench - Check-in the Mahua Vann Resort at the edge of the Park - Relax - Lunch - Evening Park Safari in Touria range in Open Gypsies - return to Hotel - Discussion of Days sightings - Dinner and Night stay at Mahua Vann Resort

Day 3 (Saturday 14th May'2016) :  Early Morning Park Safari @ 5.30 am in Touria Range - Return to the resort - Lunch - Proceed for the Evening Park Safari in Touria/Karmazari range - Return back - Dinner - Night stay at Mahua Vann Resort

Day 4 (Sunday 15th May'2016): Early Morning Park Safari in Touria range @ 5.30 am - Return to the resort - Packup - Proceed to Nagpur - Bird-watching on the way - Lunch - Concluding discussion - to Board 12290 Mumbai Duranto Express @ 20:40 hrs

Day 5 (Monday 16th May'2016) : Arrive at Mumbai by 07:55 Hrs

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Trip charges (Nagpur to Nagpur) : Rs. 17400/- only

(Includes A/C room stay in the wonderful, palatial & comfortable 
Mahua Vann Resort, on twin sharing basis, Travel charges from Nagpur to Pench to Nagpur , 4 Local safari travel by 4x4 Gypsies, Park entry charges, veg/non-veg food , Still photography charges, Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)

This does not include travel charges from Mumbai to Nagpur to Mumbai station or any charges other than the above.

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmation mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non refundable Advance of Rs.9000/-after our registration confirmation by email…..The remaining amount will be collected on the day of travel.

Kindly register soon as the train bookings are not easily available on this sector.

Stay Arrangement: Stay arrangement is on twin sharing basis in AC rooms in the famous Mahua Vann resort, Tauria which is renowned for its ambiance and service. visit their web site
http://www.mahuaresorts.com/mahua_jungle_van_wildlife_safari.htm 

Resource Person: Mr. Adesh Shivkar / Mr. Mandar Khadilkar

Mode of Payment: You can either
1) Transfer the advance money directly to HDFC Bank A/c (Please call Mandar @ 9930318665 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
Mr. Mandar Khadilkar
Address: B/702, Neha Apartments, Ashish Complex, Dahisar-East, Mumbai-400068.

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
3) Nesting photography is prohibited.
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


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) and 9930318665 or 9967518665 (Mandar)


Thanks for your patience..... we value your time and faith on us.

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

Warm Regards,

Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
Nature India
Appreciate, Respect & Conserve





Monday, January 25, 2016

Ladakh - Birding in cold desert (31st July to 10th August, 2016)

The eagerly awaited Birding watching trip to Ladakh opens now for booking!!

Dates: 31st July 16 to 10th August 2016 (Leh to Leh)... Book your seat now, as very limited seats are available... A very meticulously planned trip including a chance to explore the amazing landscapes and some famous monasteries ..... this is one trip that you surely don't want to miss!

Ladakh - Birding in the Cold Desert

“The Land is so barren and the passes so high that only our fiercest enemies or Our best friends would want to visit us” -Ladakhi Saying

 

India is one of the most diverse country in terms of habitats. We have rain forests of Western Ghats & North-East, Grasslands of Central Western India, Seashores on Western &  Eastern borders, Deserts of Rajasthan, Rann of Gujarat, Islands of Andamans & Lakshadweep, Himalayan foothills in North & the  Cold Desert, Ladakh in extreme North India.

Ladakh: Known as "The Moonland", "Little Tibet" or more romantically "The Last Shangri-La", is the most remote region of India, a barren, virtually rainless region. A desert in high altitude, has to be cold one. Due to rain shadow created by the mighty Himalaya, monsoon clouds are denied to reach Ladakh & hence the cold desert. For water supply, Indus River is backbone of Ladakh, as the  main source of water. Indus river is fed by the melting glaciers on the mountains. The mindblowing landscapes and the rugged mountains greet you as soon as you land in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The mesmerizing beauty of this place has to be felt to believe.
 













Ladakh has been explored by many tourists for sight seeing, Monastery, landscapes etc... but not much for Bird-watching... Ladakh lies between 3000 to 6000 mtrs, which obviously will have some very interesting high altitude birds that, otherwise are very difficult to see in rest of India. The rigours are extreme, but the rewards are equally lucrative..... Birding in this paradise is every birders dream and a photographers wish. Even an ordinary camera here can give you postcard quality images... so pure is the air and so magical is this place. No wonder many come her repeatedly :-)

We will also be visiting the famous Thikse Buddhist Monastery...

The following areas will be covered during our trip...

Shey Marshes



Just 7 kms from Leh, famous for Shey Palace, this place is also well known with bird-watchers, because of the diversity and quality of birds in the various marshes that adorn the landscape here. Some of the birds seen here are; Black-billed Magpie, Reed Bunting, Mountain Chiffchaff, Hume's Whitethroat, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Hobby, White-winged Redstart, Winter Wren, Ibisbill, Northern Lapwing, Common Rose finch, Black Redstart, Oriental Turtle Dove, Citrine & White Wagtail etc ..... and all should be in their breeding plumage.



Tanglangla & Changla Passes - Considered as the 2nd and 3rd highest motorable passes in the world, at height of approx. 5500 mtrs, these high altitude passes gives us an opportunity to see some very high altitude birds like Robin Accentor, Yellow & Red-billed choughs, Raven, Golden Eagle, Upland Buzzard, Little Owl, Snow Partridge, Great Rosefinch, Lammergeier etc.. also enroute to these passes birds like Chukar, Plain-backed Snowfinch, Wallcreeper, Brandt's mountain Finch, Blue-fronted Redstart, White-winged Redstart, Tibetan Snowcock etc. can be seen...





Pangong Lake - Known for sheer natural beauty, Pangong can easily be termed as one of the most picturesque places in the World! ......Best seen in evening, this place is a paradise for landscape photography  Birds seen here are; Brown-headed & Pallas's Gulls, White-winged Tern, Common Merganser, Bar-headed Geese, Red-crested Pochard, Golden Eagle etc...



Tsokar  



"Tsokar" means salty lake in local language. Here the waters are alkaline. This is probably the best birding place in Ladakh... Famous for Tibetan Wild Ass & endangered Black-necked Cranes, this place is also known for breeding of Bar-headed Geese & Ruddy Shelducks..... other birds here include Great-horned Lark, Tibetan Snow Finch, Plain-backed Snowfinch, Twite, Eurasian Linnet, Streaked & Great Rosefinch, Raven, Eurasian Nightjar, Upland Buzzard, Little Owl, Tibetan Partridge, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Red-throated Pipit, Altai Accentor, Hill Pigeon, Pied Wheatear, White-browed Accentor, White-winged Redstart, Lesser & Common Kestrel, Bar-headed Geese, Brown-headed Gulls, Red-crested Pochard etc...


 






Tso - Moriri

Tso Moriri is the largest High altitude lake in Himalayas, situated at 4,522 mtrs (14,836 ft.). Also called as Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve. Among birds, Bar-headed Geese, Brown-headed Gulls, Ruddy Shelduck etc. breed here in large nos. Tso Moriri is also known for Black-necked Cranes & Tibetan Wild Ass.

Hanle: Another less explored place in Ladakh, Hanle is located in ancient Ladakh - Tibet trade route in Hanle valley. Known for Indian Astronomical Observatory & 17th century Hanle Monastery, is also home to birds like Black-necked Crane, Tibetan Lark, Upland Buzzard, Great Rosefinch & mammals like Tibetan Wild Ass, Tibetan Wolf, Red Fox, Tibetan Gazelle etc.

Photo Credits: Our heartfelt thanks to  Sandeep Dhumal, Nayan Khanolkar & Abhijit Narvekar for allowing us to use some of their excellent images for this blog.... they own all the copyrights of the images.  Use in any form of any of their images from this blog can only be done after obtaining their written consent.

Some good reads about birding in Ladakh ....

http://orientalbirdclub.org/ladakh/

http://www.kolkatabirds.com/ladakh/ladakhmrltrip.htm

http://birdingdiary.blogspot.in/2013/08/ladakh-one-of-its-kind-cold-desert.html
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Nature India is proud to organize, its first ever Birdwatching - landscape photography trip to this cold desert from 31st July to 10th August 2016 (travel days excluded)..... Come and soak yourself in this mystifying land of Bliss........ 

Travel Details:(To & Fro Leh, to be arranged by participants)

We suggest you to book tickets for following flights:

Mumbai to Leh
  • GoAir Flight No. G8-386, Mumbai (04.00 hours) to Leh (6.15) - Non stop Flight

    OR
  • Air India Flight No. AI - 101 on 30th July 2016, Mumbai (21.30 hours) to Delhi (23.45 hours) & Air India Flight No. AI 445 on 31st July 2016, Delhi (05.55 hours) to Leh (07.25 hours)
Leh to Mumbai / Delhi
  • Go Air Flight No. G8-386, Leh (06.45 hours) to Mumbai (10.45 hours)  - One hop
  • Jet Airways Flight No 9W-2369, Leh (07.40 hours) to Delhi (09.15 hours) & Delhi (11.35 hours) to Mumbai (13.40 hours)

Note: Please book return flight early morning (between 06.00 to 08.00) from Leh, late morning flights may get cancelled due to bad weather

Several other flights also available, but the above suggestion is best in terms of time & charges....  Please check the arrival & departure timing at Leh for to & fro flights. Book fast to get concessional rates.

Travel Itinerary: (To & Fro Leh, to be arranged by participants)

Day 1 (31-Jul-16): Arrival at Leh (latest by 11am) pick up from Airport for Hotel Bijoo - Absolute compulsory rest (for high-altitude acclimatization  for rest of the day - Lunch - Eve. Tea/coffee - Dinner - Stay in Hotel Bijoo on twin sharing basis

Day 2 (01-Aug-16): Morning Tea - Breakfast - Lunch at Hotel Bijoo - Compulsory rest (for acclimatization)  for 1st half - 2nd half, visit Spituk valley, Magnetic hills & nearby areas - dinner & Stay at Hotel Bijoo

Day 3 (02-Aug-16): Morning Tea/coffee - Breakfast - Visit to Hemis National Park - lunch  - Visit to Thikse Monastery & Shey Marshes - Dinner & Stay at Hotel Bijoo

Day 4 (03-Aug-16):
Morning Tea/coffee & Early breakfast (6.00am) at Hotel Bijoo - Depart for Pangong - Birding on the way -  Dinner & Stay at tents in Pangong

Day 5 (04-Aug-16):
Early morning spend some time & Pangong & then start for Leh - birding on the way - Dinner & Stay at Hotel Bijoo

Day 6 (05-Aug-16): Early morning Tea/coffee & Depart for Tsokar - Breakfast at village karu - birding on the way - Lunch  Birding on the way -  -  Dinner & stay at rooms in Tsokar

Day 7 (06-Aug-16): Full day birding around Tsokar... Breakfast - lunch - Dinner in Tsokar

Day 8 (07-Aug-16): Start early morning from Tsokar - proceed towards Tso Moriri - Birding on the way - Stay at Tso Moriri

Day 9 (08-Aug-16): Morning Tea/coffee & Early breakfast (6.00am) at Tso Moriri - Start for Hanle - Birding on the way -  Dinner & Stay at Basic Home-stay in Hanle

Day 10 (09-Aug-16):
Morning Tea/coffee - Start for Leh - Birding on the way - Dinner & stay at Hotel Bijoo in Leh.

Day 11 (10-Aug-16): Morning departure from Leh by 7.00AM to Airport .... or participants can continue with their other plans.

Trip Charges (Leh to Leh): Rs.*****/- only (Includes AC rooms on Twin Sharing Basis in Leh, Twin sharing in tents in Pangong & Tso Moriri), Twin sharing in rooms in Tsokar, triple/quadruple sharing in home-stay at Hanle, Veg. meals, Breakfast, Ladakh Permit, travel in comfortable Innova/Tavera, entry fees, Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)…….

This does not include Travel charges from any destination to  Leh & back, Camera Fees, Tips or any charges other than the above.

Important Note: This tour involves roughing out in (sometimes) extreme weather conditions with long walks & drive in high altitude and remote locations. Hence there is an age restriction (15 to 65 years) to participate in this trip. Also, the participant would be required to submit a medical fitness certificated from any qualified medical practitioner and a "trip consent" form, before embarking on the tour.  Kindly note and co-operate.


Registration: You can register by sending a confirmation mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com with contact details and by paying a non refundable Advance of  Rs.20,000/- after our confirmation mail…..The remaining amount will be collected on the day of travel in cash only. 

Kindly register soon to avoid the rush for train bookings……….

Group Size: Max 12 Pax only

Stay Arrangements: 
  • Hotel Bijoo, Leh
  • Tents in Pangong 
  • Rooms in Tsokar Eco Resort
  • Tents in Tso Moriri
  • Home stay in Hanle
Note: Since these are remote locations, facilities are basic, specially in Pangong & Tsokar, with accommodation in attached tents on twin sharing basis.... and mostly basic packed lunch. 

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

Mode of Payment: You can either
1) Transfer the advance money directly to our HDFC A/c (Please send a mail for details).. please mention your name, date and other details…. OR
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.20,000/- 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. 20,000/- is strictly non-refundable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India tours
3) Nesting photography is prohibited.
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

Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification. For any other queries we are available on 9869071091 / 9820455713(Adesh) or 9930318665 / 9967518665 (Mandar)....

Hope to see you for this wonderful trip Thanks for your patience.

Jullay in July,

Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar











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Appreciate, Respect & Care for Nature