Nature Camp to Madhav NationalPark, National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary and Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary conducted in the month of December, 2013.

Our group at National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary

November is a month from which the winter season starts in major part of India. It is also a time when migratory birds (winter migrants) visit our country. Also, its time for butterflies. For MSO , this season started with Banni Grasslands and followed by Madhav NP, National Chambal WLS (listed in IBA) and Keoladeo National Park (World heritage status given by UNESCO in 1979). 17 of us attended the camp. We are thankful to the Forest Department of - Madhav NP, National Chambal WLS (Madhya Pradesh) and our Bharatpur Field Office, Keoladeo National Park for their guidance and support.
We also visited karera sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh. It is a good place birding but unfortunately there is a case going on to denotify this sanctuary. We sighted many birds at this huge wetland. If this area gets further protection by law then definitely it can attract many birds species and ultimately it will help in conservation of the bird habitat which are getting lost day-by-day. Please visit http://www.mptourism.com/web/experience/wildlife/sanctuaries/karera.aspx to know more about the place.

Rare entrance of Forest rest house @ Madhav NationalPark. Nice place for birding. Pic by Mr. R. Naimi

Observing birds @ Keoladeo. Pic by Mr. R. Naimi

Visit to Jhansi Fort. Pic by Mr. R. Naimi

For more info on the places please visit: http://shivpuri.nic.in/tourists.htm#Madhav, http://nationalchambalsanctuary.in/, http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/Destinations/Bharatpur/GhanaBirdSanctuary.aspx

Chambal ride. Pic by Mr. R. Naimi

The list of sightings is as follows:

 A. Flora :

1.      Sterculia urens(Gum karaya/Kahandol)

2.      Terminalia arjuna(Arjun tree)

3.      Terminalia crenulata(Ain tree)

4.      Ziziphus mauritiana(Indian jujube/Bor)

5.      Anogeissus latifolia(Axel wood tree/Dhawda)

6.      Anogeissus acuminata (Buttontree)

7.      Acacia nilotica subsp tomentosa(Gum Arabic/Babhali)

8.      Prosopis juliflora (Mesquite)

9.      Bauhinia racemosa (Bidi leaf tree/Apta)

10.  Bauhinia purpurea (Purple bauhinia/Kanchan)

11.  Ipomoea Sps.

12.  Calotropis gigantea (Crown flower/Rui)

13.  Parthenium hysterophorus (Congress grass)

14.  Lantana camara (Lantana/Ghaneri)

15.  Ailanthus excels (Indian tree of Heaven/Mahrukh)

16.  Phyllanthus emblica (Indian Gooseberry/Awla)

17.  Leucaena leucocephala (Subabhul)

18.  Solanum xanthocarpum (Thorny nightshade/Kateringni)

19.  Argemone mexicana (Mexican poppy)

20.  Evolvulus alsinoides (Dwarf morning glory/Vishnukranta)

21.  Salvodora persica (Toothbrush tree/Khankan)

22.  Capparis sepiaria (Wild caper Bush)

23.  Pongamia pinnata (Pongam oil tree/Karanj)

24.  Ficus benghalensis (Vad/Banyan Tree)

25.  Butea monosperma (Flame of the forest/Palas)

26.  Mangifera india (Mango/Amba)

27.  Bombax ceiba (Red silk cotton tree/Katesavar)

28.  Tectona grandis (Teak/Sag)

29.  Cassia fistula (Indian laburnum/Bahava)

30.  Achyranthes aspera (Prickly chaff flower/Aaghada)

31.  Ficus glomerata (Country fig tree/Umber)

32.  Syzygium cumini (Black plum/Jambhul)

33.  Ficus religiosa (Sacred fig tree/Pimpal)

34.  Albizzia lebbeck (Siris tree/Shirish)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

B. Fauna

a. Insects:
Short horned grass hopper
Goliath ant
Honey bee
Striped tiger butterfly
Danied  eggfly butterfly
Tawny coaster butterfly
Great orange tip butterfly

b. Arachnids:
Daddy's longleg
Jumping spider

c. Reptiles:
Fresh water crocodile
Ghariyal (C)
Soft shell turtle (C)
d. Birds:

1. Peafowl

   

   Night heron. pic by Mr. E. Thiruvengadam

2. Indian robin
3. Oriental magpie robin
4. Great cormorant
5. Little cormorant
6. Common hoopoe
7. Sykes's lark
8. Red wattled lapwing
9. River lapwing (C)
10. Common stonechat
11. Blue throat
12. Eurasian spoonbill
13. White throated kingfisher
14. Pied kingfisher
15. Grey heron
16. Cattle egret
17. Red shank
18. Darter



Egyptian vulture. Pic by Mr. E Thiruvengadam




Night heron. pic by Mr. E. Thiruvengadam







19. Egyptian vulture
20. Eurasian sparrowhawk
21. Rose ringed parakeet
22. Black-winged stilt
23. White breasted waterhen
24. Black tailed godwit
25. Jungle babbler
26. White wagtail
27. Greater coucal
28. Little ringed plover
29. Purple heron



Saras Crane. Pic by Sudheer Agashe

30. Rufous backed shrike
31. Black kite
32. Common pochard
33. Red pochard (K)
34. Common teal
35. Collared scoops owl (K)
36. Brahminy myna
37. Rufoustreepie
38. Spotbill duck
39. Common coot
40. Intermediate egret
41. Painted stork
42. Bar headed goose
43. Bronze wingedjacana
44. Lesser whistling ducks (K)
45. Rosy pelican (K)
46. Saras crane (K)
47. Northern shoveler (K)



Black winged stilt.  Pic by MR. E. Thiruvengadam

48. Dusky eagle owl (K)
49. Comb duck (K)
50. Grey lag goose (K)
51. Dabchick (K)
52. Northern pintail (K)
53. Eurasianmarshharrier
54. Blackheadedibis
55. Purple swamphen
56. Laggar falcon (C)
57. Black bellied river tern (C)
58. Indian skimmer (C)
59. Brown headedgul
60. Eurasian spoonbill
61. Black ibis



Hoopoe. Pic by Mr. Sudheer Agashe

62. Glossy ibis
63. Green heron
64. Night heron
65. Little egret
66. LArge egret
67. Blue rock pigeon
68. Purple sunbird
69. Spotted owlet
70. Spotted dove
71. Plum headed parakeet
72. White bellieddrongo
73. Fantail flycatcher
74. Shikra
75. Wood sandpiper
76. Bonelle's eagle
77. Eurasian thick knee
78. Tickell'sblue flycatcher
79. Gadwall
80. Lesser whitethroat
81. Black redstart



Pond heron. Pic by Mr. Sudheer Agashe

82. Bush chat
83. Prinia
84. Common sandpiper
85. Yellow footed green pigeon
86. Laughing dove
87. Asian koel
88. House swift
89. Indian roller
90. Black rumped flame back
91. Bay backed shrike
92. Black hooded oriole
93. Asian pied starling
94. Bank myna
95. White browed bulbul
96. Common tailor bird
97. Grey wagtail.

Painted stork. pic by Mr. E. Thiruvengadam

Hanuman Langur. Pic by Mr. Sudheer Agashe

d. Mammals:
Golden jackal
Three striped palm squirrel
Field mouse
Grey mongoose
Blacknaped hare
Nilgai
Spotted deer
Sambar deer
Hanuman langur
River dolphin (C)




(Please note: abbreviations: National Park - NP; Wildlife Sanctuary - WLS; species sighted only in in keoladeo are marked as - K; species sighted only in in Chambal are marked as - C)

Yellow footed green pigeon. Pic by Mr. E. Thiruvengadam

WWF-India, MSO Programme July – December 2013.

Nature 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 wwfmumbai@yahoo.co.in for registration.

photo source-internet

July 14, Sunday – Waphe Nursery, Shahapur

Charges: Rs.1250/- for donors and Rs.1500/- for other nature lovers. This includes travel from Dadar station to Dadar station, Tea; Breakfast; Lunch.Meeting point: Bus will leave at 06.30 am from Dadar T.T. Corner of Swami Narayan Temple.

Registration : Before 5^th July, 2013.

pic by Aniruddha Dhamorikar

July 28, Sunday - Tungareshwar WildLife Sanctuary

Charges : Free for donor and Rs. 50/- for other nature enthusiast.

Meeting point : Entry gate of Tungareshwar WLS at 8.30am sharp. We will be walking on a slightly hilly terrain.

Registration : Before 24^th July, 2013.

pic by - Akshay Talwalkar

August 18, Sunday – Jummapatti

Charges: Free for donor and Rs. 50/- for other nature enthusiast.

Meeting point: Neral station (E), Ticket window at 08.30 am sharp. We will be walking on a slightly hilly terrain.

Registration: Before 14^th August, 2013.

photo source-internet

September 15, Sunday - Sion Fort, Mumbai

Charges: Free for a donors and Rs. 50/- for a nature enthusiast.

Meeting point: Entry gate of Fort at 08.00 am sharp.

Registration: Before 13^th September, 2013.

photo source-internet

October 6, Sunday - Peth Fort

Charges: Rs.850/- for donors and Rs.1250/- for other nature lovers. This includes travel from Dadar station to Dadar station,a Breakfast, Lunch (All veg.). We will be walking on a slightly hilly terrain. Focus will be on biodiversity. We may not reach the fort.

Meeting point: Bus will leave at 06.30 am from Dadar T.T. Corner of Swami Narayan Temple.

Registration: Before 27^th September, 2013.

photo source-internet

November 24, Sunday - Maharashtra Nature Park Society(MNPS), Dharavi

Charges: Free for a donor and Rs. 50/- for other nature enthusiast.

Meeting point: Entry gate of MNPS 8.30 am sharp. However the entry fee of Rs.5/- for MNPS will be paid by each participant irrespective of WWF-India memebrship.

Registration: Before 21^st November, 2013.

December 8, Sunday - Haffkine Institute, Parel.

Charges: Free for a donor and Rs. 50/- for other nature enthusiast.

Meeting point: Entry gate of the Haffkine Institute at 08.30 am sharp.

Registration: Before 6^th December, 2013.

Nature Camps

August 10-11, Nature Camp to Ransai - A tribal Village near Mumbai

photo source-internet

A Nature camp is organised to Ransai for donors and other nature lovers. The camp cost is Rs. 2250/- for WWF-India donors and Rs 2750/- for other nature enthusiast. The camp cost includes food, travel and accommodation. Registration – Before 31^th July, 2013. For details please contact the WWF-India Maharashtra State Office, Mumbai. Bus will leave from Dadar TT at 6.30am Sharp. Corner of Swami Narayan Temple.

photo source-internet

September 28-29, Malshej Ghat

A Nature camp is organised to Malshej Ghat  for donors and other nature lovers. The camp cost is Rs. 3250/- for WWF-India donors and Rs 3750/- for other nature enthusiast. The camp cost includes food, travel and accommodation. Registration – Before 13^th September, 2013. For details please contact the WWF-India Maharashtra State Office, Mumbai.

Bus will leave from Dadar TT at 6.30am Sharp. Corner of Swami Narayan Temple.

photo source-internet

October 18-20, Nature Camp to Dapoli

A Nature camp is organised to the Dapoli for donors and other nature lovers. The camp cost is Rs. 3750/- for WWF-India donors and Rs 4250/- for others. The camp cost includes food, travel and accommodation. Stay type: 2/3 sharing basis/Dormitory. Registration – Before 9^th August, 2013. For details please contact the WWF-India Maharashtra State Office, Mumbai. 

Journey Details:

18^th October (Friday), 2013:Departure by 12051JanShatabdi Express from Dadar at 5.25am. Reach Chiplun at 9.15 on 18^th October, 2013.

20^th October (Sunday),2012:Departure by 10104 Mandavi Express from Khed at 4.00pm. Reach Mumbai CST at 9.40pm on 20^th October, 2013.

photo source-internet

November 9-14, Nature Camp to Banni Grassland, Greater Rann of Kutch

 A Nature camp is organized to the Banni Grassland and Greater Rann of Kutch in the state of Gujrat  for donors and other nature lovers. The camp cost is Rs. 8,500/- for WWF-India donors and Rs 9,500/- for others. The camp cost includes food, travel and accommodation. Stay type: 2/3 sharing basis/Dormitory. Registration –Before 6^th 
September, 2013. For details please contact the WWF-India Maharashtra State Office, Mumbai.

 Journey Details:

9^th November(Saturday), 2013:Departure by 19131Kutch Express from BDTS at 5.10pm. Reach Bhuj at 9.25am on 10^th November,2013.

13^th November(Wednesday), 2013:Departure by 19116Bhuj BDTS Express from Bhuj at 10.15pm. Reach BDTS  at 2.05pm on 14^th November,2013.

photo source-internet

December 21-30, Nature Camp to Madhav NP,Bharatpur WLS and National Chambal WLS

A Nature camp is organized to the Madhav NP,National Chambal WLS in the state of Madhya Pradesh and Bharatpur WLS in the state of Rajastan for donors and other Nature lovers. The camp cost is Rs15,500/- for WWF-India donors and Rs 17000/- for others. The camp cost includes food, travel and accommodation. Stay type: 2/3 sharing basis/Dormitory.  Registration - Before 17^th October, 2013.

photo source-internet

Journey Details :

21^st December(Saturday), 2013:Departure by 12137 Punjab Mail from Mumbai CST at 7.40pm. Reach Jhansi at 2.20pm on 22^nd December,2013.

29^th December(Sunday), 2013:Departure by 12138 Punjab Mail from Agra Cant. at 8.55am. Reach Mumbai CST  7.35am on 30^th December,2013.

Upcoming Attraction

Nature orientation camp to Andaman - January, 2014. Details: After 17^th September, 2013

Volunteering Opportunities

This is basically to create environment awareness among the citizens. Interested individuals should register with WWF-India MSO one week before the programme.

 19^th September, 2013Thursday   Beach Cleanup Activity, Post Ganapati Visarjan.

 14^th October,2013 Monday        Beach Cleanup Activity, Post Durga Visarjan.

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.

         

Visit our blog - wwfmso.blogspot.in to get details of our activities (future events, reports etc).  

        

Please note that the concessional rates mentioned in above programme are applicable to immediate family members of Donor as well (family of 4). This facility is available only at Maharashtra State Office. You can get softcopy of WWF-India ‘Donor Form’ by sending an e-mail to wwfmumbai@yahoo.co.in.

Our Address for Postal Correspondence-

WWF-India, Maharashtra State Office,

C/o Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.

Near Gundechya Garden Tower,

Opp. Shaman, Above Stone Source,

Lalbaug, Parel,

Mumbai: 400012.

Tel: 24701361 / 24700039