Friday, 2 November 2012

Shoolpaneshwar, Purna, Vansda Camp Report



Clicked by E. Thiruvengadam



Dear Friends,

WWF-India, MSO had arranged a Nature camp to Shoolpaneshwar, Purna Wildlife Sanctuaries and Vansda National Park on 26th – 28th October, 2012. 10 participants including WWF-India donors and staff attended the programme. The moist deciduous forest patches support large amount of biodiversity. We came across various species of plants, insects, birds etc. Few of them are listed below.
Purna WLS. by- Mr. E. Thiruvengadam

Flora :
1.      Rui/Milkweed plant (Calotropis gigantea)
2.      Mogli Erand (Jatropha curcas)
3.      Barleria (Barleria cristata)
4.      Rosewood/Shisam (Dalbergia sisso)
5.      Sessile joyweed (Alternanthera sessilis)
6.      Mango (Mangifera indica)
7.      Palas/Flame of the forest (Butea monosperma)
8.      Karanj/Pongam tree (Pongamia pinnata)


9.      Katesavar/Red silk cotton tree (Bombax ceiba)
10.  Ghaneri/Red sage (Lantana camara)
11.  Mitragyna parviflora (Kalam)
12.  Dinda/Bandikoot berry (Leea indica)
13.  Motha dinda (Leea macrophylla)
14.  Kala kuda/Sweet indrajao (Wrightia tinctoria)
15.  Pandara kuda/Tellicherry bark (Holarrhena antydysentrica)
16.  Lal kuda (Wrightia arborea)
17.  Kahandol/Ghost tree (Sterculia urens)
18.  Karnikar (Pterocarpus suberifolium)
19.  Anantmul/Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus)
20.  Bor/Indian jujube (Ziziphus jujube)
21.  Ain/Laurel (Terminalia crenulata)
22.  Sag/Teak (Tectona grandis)
23.  Bhuiavla/Carry me seed (Phyllanthus Spp.)
24.  Umber/Country fig tree (Ficus racemosa)
25.  Common spruge (Euphorbia hirta)
26.  Takla/Wild senna (Cassia tora)
27.  Haldu (Haldinia cordifolia)
28.  Aaghada/Prickly chaff flower (Achyranthes aspera)
29.  Kadu karanda/Aerial yam (Dioscorea bulbifera)
30.  Panphuti/Sprout leaf plant (Kalanchoe pinnata)
31.  Murudsheng/East-Indian screw plant (Helicteres isora)
32.  Shtavari/Asparagus (Asparagus racemosus)
33.  Fishtail palm (Caryota urens)
34.  khejdi (Prosopis julifera)
35.  Pev (Costus speciosus)
36.  Ipomoea carnia
37.  Bammboosa arundianacea

Fauna:

A. Insects:

a. Butterflies:
1.       Emigrant
2.       Grass yellow
3.       Plain tiger
4.       Sailor
5.       Psyche

6.       Common four ring
7.       Evening brown
8.       Castor
9.       Leopard
10.   Striped tiger
11.   Glassy tiger
12.   Skipper?
13.   Common crow
14.   Common rose
15.   Hedge Blue?




Praying mantis. clicked by Mr. E. Thiruvengadam

b. Other insects:
1.       Leaf mantis
2.       Praying mantis
3.       Cricket
4.       Kattydid
5.       Fire ants
6.       Digger wasp
7.       Honey bee
8.       Red silk cotton bug
9.       Hooded grasshopper




Giant Wood spider. Clicked by: E. Thiruvengadam
 B. Arachnids
1.       Giant wood spider
2.       Signature spider


3.       Orb weaver
4.       Scorpion
5.       Tunnel sheet spider








Clicked by- Mr. R. Naimi

C. Amphian
1.       Indian bull frog


2.       Common Indian toad

D. Reptiles
3.       House gecko
4.       Water snake?
5.       forest calotes

E. Birds
1.       Black drongo
Yellow footed green pigeon. Clicked by-Mr. R. Naimi
2.       Blue jay
3.       White throated kingfisher
4.       Red rumped swallow
5.       Dusky crag martin
6.       Greater coucal
7.       Bay back shrike
Ibis. Clicked by Mr. E. Thiruvengadam

8.       Green bee eater
9.       Crested serpent eagle
10.   Plover?
11.   Common hoopoe
12.   Cormorant
13.   Rose ringed parakeet
14.   Cattle egret
15.   Median egret
16.   Pond heron
17.   White wagtail
18.   Golden oriole
19.   Sun bird
20.   Glossy ibis
Crested Serpent eagle. Clicked by: E. Thiruvengadam
21.   House crow
22.   Jungle crow
23.   House sparrow
24.   Black kite
25.   Flower pecker
26.   Large green barbet
27.   Red whiskered bulbul
28.   Red wattled lapwing
29.   Red vented bulbul
30.   Yellow footed green pigeon
31.   Spotted dove


F. Mammals
1.       Grey mongoose






Our group



WWF-India, MSO Programme January – June 2013 .

WWF-India, MSO Programme January – June 2013 .
Nature Walks
Participants are 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 22078105 / 22071970 or wwfmumbai@yahoo.co.in for registration.
January 20, Sunday – Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary
Charges: Rs. 850.00 for Donors and Rs. 1250.00 for other nature enthusiasts. This includes travel from Dadar station. to Dadar station.; Breakfast, Lunch (All veg.); Forest entry ticket and resource person charges. Last date to register: 2nd January, 2013. Bus will leave at 06.30am from Dadar T.T.
February 24, Sunday – Karnala Bird Sanctuary
Charges: Rs. 850.00 for Donors and Rs. 1250.00 for other nature enthusiasts. This includes travel from Dadar station. to Dadar station.; Breakfast, Lunch (All veg.); Forest entry ticket and resource person charges. Last Date to register: 5th February, 2013. Bus will leave at 06.30am from Dadar T.T.
April 7, Sunday – St. baptista Garden, Mazgaon.
Charges: Free for subscriber and Rs. 50.00 for non subscriber.
Meeting point: Dokyard Station.          Registration: 3rd April, 2013
Time: 08.30am sharp
May 26th, Sunday – Mumbai Mangroves
We will be visiting various mangrove sites that lay within Municipal limits of Mumbai city. Charges: Rs. 1250.00 for Donors and Rs. 1750.00 for other nature enthusiasts. This includes travel from Dadar station. to Dadar station.; Breakfast, Lunch (All veg.). Last Date to register: 26th May, 2013. Bus will leave at 06.30am from Dadar T.T.
June 23rd, Sunday – Mahuli
We will not be reaching the fort. The focus of the trail will be on observing biodiversity.   Charges: Rs. 500.00 for Donors and Rs. 750.00 for other nature enthusiasts. This includes breakfast, lunch (All veg.), travel by local transport from Asangaon Station to Asangaon Station.; Last Date to register: 11th June, 2013. Meeting point: Asangaon station 8.30am.
Nature Camps
January 25- 27, Nature Camp to Jayakwadi Sanctuary, Maharashtra.
A Nature camp is organised to the Jayakwadi Sanctuary, for Donors and other nature lovers.
The camp cost is Rs. 3250/- for WWF-India subscribers and Rs 4250/- for others. The camp cost includes food (Except train journey), travel and accommodation. Registration – before 30th November, 2012. For details please contact the WWF-India Maharashtra State Office, Mumbai.
Journey Details:
25th January, 2013: Departure by 17057 Devgiri Express from Mumbai CST (CSTM) at 21.05. Reach Aurangabad on 26th Morning 4.05 am.
27th January, 2013: Departure by 11402 Nandigram Exp. from Aurangabad at 21.35. Reach Mumbai CST on 28th morning 5.40am.
February 16 –19, Nature Camp to Bondla WL Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Goa.
A Nature camp is organised to Bondla WL Sanctuary and Mollem National Park for Donors and other nature lovers.
The camp cost is Rs.5,500/- for WWF-India donors and Rs.6,500/- for others. The camp cost includes accommodation; food (Except train journey) and travel from Mumbai to Mumbai (participants should carry food for train journey). Registration is on first come first serve basis before 30th November, 2012. For details please contact the WWF-India Maharashtra State Office, Mumbai.
Journey details:
16th February (Saturday), 2013: Departure by 10111 Konkan Kanya from Mumbai CST at 23.05. Reach Madgaon at 10.45am on 17th February, 2012
19th February, 2013: Departure by 10112 Konkan Kanya from Madgaon station at 18.00. Reach Mumbai CST at 05.50 am on 20th Morning.
March 16 - 17 Nature Camp to Bhimashankar, Maharashtra.
A Nature camp is organised to the Bhimashankar, for WWF-India Donors and other nature lovers.
Camp charges – Rs.3,000/- for Donors, Rs.4,000/- 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 16th Morning
Registration is on first come first serve basis before March 1, 2013.
April 19-24 Nature Camp to Anshi National Park and Dandeli WL Sanctuary, Karnataka.
A Nature camp is organised to the Anshi National Park and Dandeli WL Sanctuary, for donors and other nature lovers.
Camp charges – Rs.9,500/- for donors,                       Rs.10,500/- for others.
The charges include food (Except train journey), accommodation and travel from Mumbai to Mumbai.
Registration is on first come first serve basis before December 18, 2012.
Journey details:
19th April (Friday), 2013: Departure by 12201 KCVL Garibrath from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) at 16.55. Reach Karwar at 3.22am on 20th April, 2013 (3AC)
23rd April, 2013: Departure by 12620 Matsyagandha Exp. from Karwar station at 19.24. Reach LTT at 06.35 am on 24th Morning.
May 3-12 Nature Camp to Dachigam National Park and Trikuta and Nandini WL Sanctuaries, Jammu & Kashmir
A Nature camp is organised to the Dachigam National Park and Trikuta and Nandini WL Sanctuaries, for donors and other nature lovers.
Camp charges – Rs.16,500/- for donors,                     Rs.17,500/- for others.
The charges include food (Except train journey), accommodation and travel from Mumbai to Mumbai.
Registration is on first come first serve basis before 2nd January, 2013.
Journey details:
3rd May (Friday), 2013: Departure by 12471 Swaraj Exp. from Bandra Terminus (BDTS) at 7.55 am. Reach Jammu Tawi at 14.45 on 4th May, 2013 (3AC)
11th May, 2013: Departure by 12472 Swaraj Exp from Jammu Tawi station at 11.15 Reach BDTS at 18.05 on 12th Evening. (3AC)
June 1-5 Nature Camp to Penganga and Tipeshwar Willife Sanctuaries, Maharashtra.
A Nature camp is organised to Penganga and Tipeshwar Willife Sanctuaries, for donors and other nature lovers.
Camp charges – Rs.5,500/- for donors,                       Rs.6,500/- for others.
The charges include food (Except train journey), accommodation and travel from Mumbai to Mumbai.
Registration is on first come first serve basis before 1st February, 2013.
Journey details:
1st June (Saturday), 2013: Departure by 12111 CSTM Amravati Exp. from CSTM at 20.05. Reach Akola at 05.50 on 2nd June, 2013
4th June, 2013: Departure by 12112 Amarawati CSTM Exp from Akola station at 20.30 Reach CSTM at 06.25 on 5th morning.
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.
-Care for Nature & Nature Care's for You-

Friday, 10 August 2012

Volunteer Training Programme at Pune

 


 WWF-India, MSO had arranged a Volunteer Training Programme for College Students of Pune city. 45 students from 3 colleges attended the programme. The purpose of the programme was to give a platform to the youth of Pune to enhance their knowledge about environment and to develop leadership qualities in within them. All the students showed great enthusiasm while participating in each activity of the programme.

All Photot Credits @Kenric D'Souza






















 We are looking forward to have more and more interactive sessions with our all VTP participants as well as rest of the ‘Punekars’











Friday, 3 August 2012

Nisargayan, 22 July, 2012 - Report

Photograph by Mr. R. Naimi


WWF-India, MSO had arranged a nature trail to ‘Nasargayan’ , Murbad. Though the group was very small (8 participants), the enthusiasm of each participant was tremendous. We got a chance to observe as well as to admire the flora and fauna of the region very leisurely. This place is at around three and a half hrs drive from Mumbai city and supports good amount of biodiversity. Some of the sightings are as follows :



Flora :
1.      Rui/Milkweed plant (Calotropis gigantea)
2.      Jambhul/Java plum/Black plum (Syzygium cumini)
3.      Gulmohar/May flower tree (Delonix regia)
4.      Mogli Erand (Jatropha curcas)
5.      Khair/Catechu tree (Acacia catechu)
6.      Chinch/Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)
7.      Sessile joyweed (Alternanthera sessilis)
8.      Mango (Mangifera indica)
9.      Palas/Flame of the forest (Butea monosperma)
10.  Karanj/Pongam tree (Pongamia pinnata)
11.  Katesavar/Red silk cotton tree (Bombax ceiba)
12.  Kadulimb/Neem tree (Azadirachta indica)
13.  Ghaneri/Red sage (Lantana camara)
14.  Dinda/Bandikoot berry (Leea indica)
15.  Motha dinda (Leea macrophylla)
16.  Kala kuda/Sweet indrajao (Wrightia tinctoria)
17.  Pandara kuda/Tellicherry bark (Holarrhena antydysentrica)
18.  Ukshi/Paper flower climber (Calycopteris floribunda)
19.  Kahandol/Ghost tree (Sterculia urens)
20.  Jungli suran/Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus campanulatus)
21.  Maiden hair fern (Adiantum Spp.)
22.  Rai awla/Country gooseberry (Cicca acida)
23.  Sitaphal/Custard apple (Annona squamosa)
24.  Kawla/Press me not (Smithia sensitiva)
25.  Anantmul/Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus)
26.  Bor/Indian jujube (Ziziphus jujube)
27.  Bahava/Golden shower plant (Cassia fistula)
28.  Ain/Laurel (Terminalia crenulata)
29.  Sag/Teak (Tectona grandis)
30.  Bhuiavla/Carry me seed (Phyllanthus Spp.)
31.  Umber/Country fig tree (Ficus racemosa)
32.  Chickna/Common wireweed (Sida acuta)
33.  Common spruge (Euphorbia hirta)
34.  Garuga/Kakad (Garuga pinnata)
35.  Takla/Wild senna (Cassia tora)
36.  Dalphodi/Cup n saucer plant (Breynia retusa)
37.  Aaghada/Prickly chaff flower (Achyranthes aspera)
38.  Jangali draksha/Wild grapes (Ampelocissus latifolia)  
39.  Kadu karanda/Aerial yam (Dioscorea bulbifera)
40.  Bartondi/Indian noni (Morinda pubescens)
41.  Panphuti/Sprout leaf plant (Kalanchoe pinnata)
42.  Murudsheng/East-Indian screw plant (Helicteres isora)
43.  Shtavari/Asparagus (Asparagus racemosus)


Fauna -
a. Insects:

Photographer - Mr.  E. Thiruvengadam
·         Butterflies:

1.       Common Crow
2.       Blue Mormon
3.       Emigrant?
4.       Striped Tiger
5.       Plain Tiger
6.       Grass Yellow
7.       Psyche
8.       Common Rose
9.       Sailor
10.   Common Mormon
11.   Common Castor
12.   Common Gull
13.   Five Ring
14.   Malabar Flat
15.   Common Jezebel

Photographer - Mr.  E. Thiruvengadam
Photographer - Mr.  E. Thiruvengadam
·         Others
1.       Assassin Bug
2.       Stink Bug
3.       Leaf Hopper
4.       Katydid
5.       Thorn Bug
6.       Jewel Beetle
7.       Leaf Footed Bug
8.       Robber’s Fly
9.       Bag Worm
10.   Gall Insects
11.   Forest Cockroach
12.   Spittle Bug
13.   Godzilla Ant
14.   Fire Ant
15.   Golden Back Ant
16.   Harvester Ant
17.   Black Crazy Ant
18.   Millibug
19.   Scorpion fly
20.   Antlion - nymph?


b. Arachnids
1.       Brown Lynx spider
2.       Box longlegs
3.       Signature Spider
4.       Jumping Spider
5.       Tent Spider

Photographer - Mr.  E. Thiruvengadam
c. Reptiles
1.       Forest Calotes

d. Birds
2.       Purple rumped sunbird
3.       Tailor bird
4.       Black drongo
5.       Racket tailed drongo
6.       Cattle egret
7.       House crow
8.       Jungle crow
9.       House sparrow
10.   Common babbler
11.   Red vented bulbul
12.   Fantail fly-catcher

Photographer - Mr.  E. Thiruvengadam


Others
Snail












Report By -
Gauri  & Shreya

We are glad to announce that we have started with our activities in the city of Pune as well. Very soon ,we will be updating you about the same.