Friday 20 December 2013

WWF-India, MSO Programme January – June 2014

 Sunday Walks

Participants should carry water, brunch and cap. Binoculars and field guides are optional. Participants have to purchase their own entry tickets and bear transport expense unless specified. Contact 24701361 / 24700039 or email us at - wwfmumbai@yahoo.co.in / wwfmso@gmail.com for registration.



January 5, Sunday – Padale Village,Dombivli

Charges: Free for supporters and Rs. 100.00 for other nature lovers.

Time: 7.30 am at  Bus Stand outside Dombivli  station-East,near Sawant Optition.

Last date to register: 2nd January, 2014.



photo source - internet
February 2, Sunday – Talawe,Navi Mumbai

Charges: Free for supporters and Rs. 100.00 for other nature lovers.

Time: 8.00am near ticket window at Seawood Darave station.

Last Date to register: 30th January, 2014.



Photo source - internet
March 23, Sunday - Vasai Fort

Charges: Free for supporters and Rs.100.00 for other nature lovers.

Time: 8.00 am at ST stand outside Vasai railway station (W).Participants have to purchase their own ST tickets.

Last Date to register: 20th March, 2014.



May 18th, Sunday – TIFR,Mumbai

(Subject to permission)

Charges: Free for supporters and Rs. 100.00 for other nature lovers.

Time: 8.30 am sharp at TIFR main gate

Last Date to register: 12th May, 2014.



Pic by Aniruddha D.
June 22nd,  Sunday – Yeoor

Charges: Rs. 800.00 for supporters and Rs. 1200.00 for other nature lovers. This includes breakfast, brunch, travel by bus from Dadar station and back.

Meeting point: 6.30 am sharp near Swami Narayan temple. We should reach back latest by 2.30 pm.

Last Date to register: 13th June, 2014. 



Nature Camps

Pic by - Jessica Luis
January 18-19, Nature Camp to Matheran.

A Nature camp is organized to Matheran, for supporters and other nature lovers.

The camp cost is Rs. 2450/- for WWF-India supporters and Rs 3950/- for others. The charges include food, accommodation and travel by taxi from Neral -Matheran- Neral. Please note we will cover all places by walking on foot.

Registration – before 6th January, 2014. For details please contact the WWF-India Maharashtra State Office, Mumbai.

Meeting Point - Neral station near Mini train ticket window at 8.30am.



February 14 –16, Nature Camp to Bhigwan.

Pic by Kaustubh Bhagat
A Nature camp is organized to Bhigwan for supporters and other nature lovers.

Camp charges Rs.6,600/- for WWF-India supporters and Rs.8,100/- for others.

The camp cost includes accommodation, food and travel (Private vehicle) from Mumbai to Mumbai.

Registration is on first come first serve basis before 3rd February, 2014.



Pic by Dr. Goldin Quadros

March 7 - 9 Nature Camp to Bhandardara and Kalsubai Harishchandragad WLS.

A Nature camp is organised to the Bhandardara and Kalsubai Harishchandragad WLS, for WWF-India supporters and other nature lovers.Please note we may not reach to the top as main aim of the camp is to observe biodiversity.

Camp charges – Rs.6,350/- for Supporters, Rs.7850/- for others.

The charges include food, travel (Private vehicle) and accommodation from Mumbai to Mumbai.

Meeting Point - Bus will leave from Dadar station at 06.30am on 7th Morning.

Registration is on first come first serve basis before February 24, 2014.



May 24-28 Nature Camp to Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

A Nature camp is organised to the Pench National Park, for supporters and other nature lovers.

Camp charges – Rs.17,900/- for supporters and  Rs.19,400/- for others.

Pic by Gauri Gurav
The charges include food (Except train journey), accommodation, 4 safaris and travel from Mumbai to Mumbai.

Registration is on first come first serve basis before 20th March, 2014.

Journey Details:

24th May (Saturday), 2014:Departure by 12289Nagpur Duronto from Mumbai CST at 20.15. Reach Nagpur at 7.20 on 25th May,2014.

28th May (Wednesday),2014:Departure by 12290 Duronto from Nagpur at 20.40. Reach Mumbai CST at 7.55 on 29h May,2014.



June 28-29 Nature Camp to Suryamal and Amla, Khodala,Maharashtra.

Photo source - Internet
A Nature camp is organised to Suryamal and Amla, for supporters and other nature lovers.

Camp charges – Rs.4,500/- for supporters and Rs.6000/- for others.

The charges include food, accommodation and travel (Private vehicle) from Mumbai to Mumbai.

Meeting Point - Bus will leave from Dadar station at 06.30am on 28th Morning.

Registration is on first come first serve basis before 17th June, 2014.





Rules & Regulations to be followed at WWF Camps & Trails



1.      Nature Camps conducted by WWF-India are educational camps and not luxury camps or picnics.

2.      Basic necessities will be provided like simple and wholesome vegetarian food (tea/coffee, breakfast, lunch, and dinner), clean accommodation and toilets. During visits to remote forest areas participants will have to use open air toilets and rough it out.

3.      Do not carry any music system or walkman, etc. in forest area.

4.      Do not carry any inflammables and do not light fire in the forest area.

5.      Do not tease any wild animal or destroy habitat of the Park or Sanctuary.

6.      During multiple accommodation facilities at the camp site participants must adjust to them and no separate accommodation will be provided. The group leader will decide the room allotments and the participants in the room, no alterations will be done.

7.      Participants have to adhere to the given itinerary and no alterations by the participants will be entertained.

8.      Detailed program of the following day will be briefed one day in advance.

9.      Please carry your personal medicines and toiletries and clothes according to climate and season (do not wear red, white or fluorescent colours).

10.  Smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited.

11.  Participants must follow strict discipline and no misbehavior will be tolerated any participant found doing so may be requested to leave the camp.

12.  Participants should take care of their belongings & valuable articles & will be solely responsible for them.

13.  No portage will be provided.

14.  Mineral water will not be provided unless mentioned in the itinerary.

15.  WWF-India will not be responsible for any mishap or catastrophe.

16.  Participants should strictly follow the instructions of the group leader.

17.  Wear comfortable walking shoes and never wear any high heels foot wear.

18.  Please carry Water bottle, Cap, Torch, Mosquito repellents, Personal medicines and toiletries.

19.  Do not wear any kind of perfume or deodorant while in the sanctuary.
20.  If a camp is canceled by WWF-India for reasons such as lack of enough participation, unless any expense is incurred, a 100 % refund will be given. Participants who cancel their seats prior to cancellation of the camp will not get a complete refund. Their cancellation will follow our regular cancellation procedures.

Thursday 19 December 2013

Nature trail to Haffkine Institute, Parel

WWF-India, Maharashtra State Office organised a half day trail to Haffkine Institute, Parel. It is one of the Heritage Sites and still has good green cover. One of few green patches that Mumbai has.  The aim of the trail  was to observe the biodiversity of the campus. We are thankful to the authorities of the Institute - Dr. Abhay Chowdhary and Dr. Shashikant Vaidya for giving us permission, accompanying us on a trail. Also, for sharing valuable information on the research work and the great history of the institute. Haffkine has tremendous biological variety of plants and other lesser fauna. We really appreciate the enthusiasm of Dr. Abhay Chowdhary and Dr. Vaidya.
Pic by Rupali Gurav
About 20 participants attended the trail. Some of the plants that we saw includes -

Plants - Cycas spp, Mangifera indica, Kigelia pinnata, Roystonea regia, Polyalthea longifolia, Delonix regia, Putranjiva roxburghii, Creteva religiosa, Adenanthera pavonena, Caryota urens, Ficus benjamina, Ficus religiosa, Ficus glomerata, Streblus asper, kleinhovia hospita, Sterculia alata, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, Ficus benghalensis, Terminalia catapa, artocarpus intergrifolia, Couroupita gyanensis

Insects and arachnids - Blue, emigrant, Striped tiger, great orange tip, psyche, grass yellow, Tent spider

Birds - Asian koel, coppersmith barbet, White throated kingfisher, Red vented bulbul, Common myna, Rose ringed parakeet, House crow, Blue rock pigeon, House sparrow, Greater coucal, Ashy drongo, Black kite

A small photographic trail through  Haffkine Institute ..........
Lets Know the history of Haffkine Institute from Direcetor Dr.Chaudhari

Observing Bio-diversity at Haffkine Institute 













The Great Darbar Hall-A Grade II Heritage site




The group. Photo courtesy: Akshay Talwalkar

Nature Camp to Greater Rann of Kuchchh


Wheatear by Meghana Oak

Dear friends,

We are glad to share the report of Banni Grassland Camp. But, before we proceed further, would like to share one of members comment with you all. Here it goes:

“Thank you both of you, Gauri and Dr. Shreya, for a wonderful camp in which we got to experience totally different nature, land topography
and birds and affiliated to it many things. Your systematic planning and nice arrangements reflected in it. Those three-four days were like a dream to me, being in a different world, especially missing mud bath every day. I met my lifer bird "Demoiselle Crane" and got to see Rann, golden grassland
met nice dedicated people. And the whole credit goes to both of you. Ours was a nice family. Thanks once again. Regards........meghana oak”

Thanks Meghana ma’am! We too are thankful to all the participants for keeping patience and having belief in us.

The camp was conducted on 9th – 14th November, 2013. 18 participants attended the camp. We are thankful to Forest Department of Gujarat, DCF Wildlife West circle and RFO Nakhatrana for making it a success. Also, to our local guide for Banni - Mr. Muhammad for giving us correct knowledge of the place and biodiversity and off-course – Good food!!!
Apart from biodiversity watch, we visited the Fossil Park, archeological museum and Harappan civilization at Dholavira, Greater Rann of Kuchchh. The list of plants and is as follows:

A.Plants
1.    Babhul (Acacia nilotica)
A walk through Harappan Civilization

2.    Euphorbia tirucalli
3.    Payar (Ficus arnottiana)
4.    Wild jujube (Zizyphus rugosa)
5.    Banyan tree (Ficus bengalensis)
6.    Indian date palm (Phoenix sylvestris)
7.    Rui/Milkweed plant (Calotropis gigantea)
8.    Jambhul/Java plum/Black plum (Syzygium cumini)
9.    Chinch/Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)
10. Suru/Horsetail (Casuarina equistifolia)
11. Bakan nimb/Persian lilac(Melia azedarach)
12. Maharukh/Indian tree of heaven (Ailanthus excelsa)
13. Sesuvium Sps.
14. Suaeda maritima 
Euphorbia Sps.     Photo-Shreya Bhanap
Sesuvium Sps.       Photo-Shreya Bhanap

B. Birds:
1.    Green Bee-eater
2.    White cheeked bulbul
3.    Ringed plover
4.    Greater short toed lark
5.    Desert wheatear
6.    Rufus tailed wheatear
7.    Common Crane
8.    Indian robin
9.    Indian Silverbill
10. Greater flamingo
11. Lesser flamingo
12. Black winged stilt
13. Pelican
14. Demosile crane
15. Black drongo                                                     
16. Ashy drongo
17. Common Hoopoe
18. Grey shrike
Photo-Shreya Bhanap
19. Crested lark
20. Long billed pipit
21. Red vented bulbul
22. Indian roller
23. Sand piper
24. Cattle egret
25. Intermediate egret
26. Little brown dove
27. Sykes’s Nightjar
28. Black ibis
29. Common coot
30. Black headed gull
White eared Bulbul    Photo : Meghana Oak
31. Bay-backed shrike
32. Southern grey shrike
33. Northern shoveler
34. Red wattled lapwing
Little Ringed Plover   Photo Meghana Oak
Photo- Meghana Oak
Flemigo    Photo-Meghana Oak
35. Spotbilled duck
36. Northern pintail
37. Eurasian marsh harrier
38. Long legged buzzard
39. common stonechat
40. House sparrow
Demoiselle Crane   Photo-Meghana Oak
41. Common babbler
42. Montagu’s harrier
43. Zitting cicticola
44. Open billed stork
45. Black kite
46. Tawny eagle
47. Yellow throated sparrow
48.Variable wheatear

Photo-Shreya Bhanap

Camp Participants   Photo-Shreya Bhanap