Earthworm Ecostore brings yet another offering in its endeavor to present options for celebrating Safe Festivals.

A TRULY eco friendly Ganesh idol is one that is made of clay and uses natural colours so that it does not contaminate the water bodies; this year we have collaborated with eCoexist, a social enterprise in Pune, to bring you truly eco-friendly Ganesh Idols made of Clay and painted with turmeric, geroo, and multani mitti.

The colors which were once used traditionally for these idols are lost to brightly coloured toxic paints that contaminate our seas, rivers, lakes and wells.

The need to create awareness and bring about a conscious change of using a truly eco friendly Clay Ganesh idols with natural colors prompted us to bring the idols from Pune.

A limited number of idols will be for sale as well as display at its store at Alto Porvorim from 4^th September onwards. All are welcome to see how beautiful these 100 percent hand molded eco idols look.

Earthworm eco store is also promoting eco friendly decorations and garlands to replace those made out of plastic and other non biodegradable materials at its store in Alto Porvorim and at select outlets across the state.

Celebrating Ganesh festival at our store, we would host a clay idol making workshop by sculptor Sachin Madage on the 4^th of Sept for children. And on 9^th September Mr. Rajendra Kerkar would talk on the “Significance of Matoli during Ganesh Chaturthi” on the 9^th of Sept.

Earthworm eco store is also part of an effort to recycle and compost the Nirmalya that is generated from the festival in Vasco city along with the Vasco municipality and other NGO’s and individuals in the city.

For information and inquiries please call us at 08322410871 or email at earthwormgoa@gmail.com

RARE INSTANCE OF GREEN VINE SNAKE EATING A SHIELDTAIL SNAKE.

A rare instance of a Green vine snake (Ahaetulla nasuta) preying upon a Large scaled shieldtail (Uropeltis macrolepis macrolepis) was recorded by herpetologist Nirmal Kulkarni and his team in the Chorla Ghats forests of the Mhadei Bio region on the 15^th of August 2010.

Interestingly, the Green Vine snake is a partially arboreal species of snake while the large scaled shieldtail is an inoffensive burrowing forest species that is endemic to the Western Ghats of India.

This is the second report of a Green Vine snake feeding on a shieldtail snake in the Northern Western Ghats of India, the first report being from Maharashtra by herpetologist and Curator of the Bombay Natural History Society Mr. Varad Giri a few years ago.

The Green Vine snake is uncommonly seen on ground and feeds mainly on lizards, frogs and small birds. It is a mildly venomous snake and the venom is capable of paralyzing small prey.

Shieldtail snakes are strictly forest species of burrowing snakes that are usually encountered under humus or leaf litter in dense forest habitats of the Western Ghats forests and are known to be highly elusive in most of their range. Encountered in thickly forested areas or on the fringes of forest habitats and open patches, Shieldtail snakes can be observed and studied only in the 4 months of monsoon period in the field, after which they burrow under the forest floor, sometimes even 2-3 feet in the soil. The specie documented in the Mhadei Bioregion includes the large scaled shieldtail, the pied belly shieldtail and the Elliot’s shieldtail.

There is a lacuna of knowledge about these species whose ecology and habitat preference is lest known merely from a few observations and hence the current observations of predator prey relationships with a partially arboreal species are considered important by researchers.

The team observed the large scaled shieldtail being caught at mid body by the Green Vine snake and pulled up from the leaf litter to 1 foot above the ground to be swallowed head first followed by the complete snake. The entire time span of the incident was approx 40 minutes after which the Vine snake proceeded to a higher branch at 5 feet above the ground and remained there for 20 minutes before moving again.

The approx length of the Green vine snake was 3 feet while the large scaled shieldtail was approx 12 inches. Non-intrusive observations and photo documentation were carried out to document the behavior of the two species and the observations are being reported to the Center for Herpetology as well as the Indian Herpetological society for information.

The incident was recorded at 630 meters above sea level in secondary forest vegetation and the skies were partially cloudy. The humidity at the time was 78 percent and the temperature was 28 degrees Celsius. Other data including GPS locations and the dominant vegetation in the area was Makad limbu (Atlantia monophylla) and False guava (Catunaregam spinarum). The nearest water source to the area was approx 4 meters away from the incident.

The team consisted of Mr. Nirmal Kulkarni and Mr. Krishna Gawas affiliated to the Mhadei Research Center and Mr. Sunil Patil a volunteer.

Nirmal Kulkarni

Email- ophidian_nirmal@yahoo.co.in.

Mhadei Herpetology Camp 2010

MHADEI HERPETOLOGY CAMP 2010

THE SETTINGS-

The Chorla Ghats forests lie on the tri state boundaries of Goa- Karnataka-Maharashtra states and are part of the Mhadei Bio region. Classified as a Mega Biodiversity hotspot and an Important Bird area, the region is acknowledged as a large cat corridor and an area of high endemism for lesser-known fauna.

The forests types predominantly include mixed moist deciduous and semi evergreen forests with intermediate canebrakes and riverine vegetation.

Heavy to medium rainfall, diverse vegetation and high humidity has led to creation of niche habitats for Herpetofauna that are unique to this region. Availability of a variety of prey base and minimal human disturbance has ensured sustained stability of small populations in certain pockets of these forests.

THE SEASON-

Climate- Heavy to medium showers with windy weather.

Temperature- 18 degrees Celsius to 22 degrees Celsius.

Humidity- 85 percent and above.

THE OBJECTIVE-

The Herpetofauna of this region has been overlooked by serious workers and researchers in the past and the only work carried out by team leader Nirmal Kulkarni and his colleagues have resulted in documentation of 2 new caecilian species besides other range extensions of endemic and rare reptiles and amphibians. The team will help compile a basic checklist of the Herpetofauna in identified areas of interest and lay foundations of further work in the region.

CAMP STRUCTURE-

The Mhadei Herpetology camp has been specifically designed keeping in mind the unique Monsoon Herpetofauna of the Northern Western Ghats of India of which the Mhadei Bio-region is a part.

During this camp we will explore High altitude plateaus, monsoonal stream eco-systems and fringe forest environments. The program will also include an orientation on basics in Snake taxonomy, Reptile rescue, and Snake Bite protocol and wildlife photography.

Participants will also get to learn techniques of field surveys and scientific documentation of Herpetofauna with the help of field equipment.

WHAT TO EXPECT-

The Monsoons offer opportunities rare opportunity to observe and study Herpetofauna that are otherwise inactive for the rest of the year.

Participants will be able to document over 20 rare, endemic and uncommon species of Herpetofauna. Some species include-

1. Malabar Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus)

2. Pied belly shield Tail snake. (Melanophidium punctatum)

3. Beddome’e keelback snake. (Amphiesma beddomei)

4. Malabar Pit viper. (Trimeresurus malabaricus)

5. Mhadei caecilian. (Gegeneophis mhadeiensis)

6. Malabar Night frog. (Nyctibatrachus major)

TEAM LEADER-

Nirmal Kulkarni

A qualified field ecologist and herpetologist, Nirmal Kulkarni has to credit the discovery of 2 new species of legless amphibians (caecilians), a host of research papers and an experience of over 15 years in the forests of the Western Ghats of India. He is also a wildlife photographer and specializes in photographing lesser-known fauna. He currently works on pit vipers and amphibians in the Northern Western Ghats of India.

ABOUT HERPACTIVE-

Herpactive is an initiative by Nirmal Kulkarni, herpetologist and wildlife photographer to create awareness and instill appreciation for Herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) of Goa in particular and the country in general.

Herpactive aims to promote the science of field herpetology by conducting walks, surveys, training workshops and field technique sessions for budding herp- enthusiasts as well as serious students of main-stream science.

DATES- 25^th 26^th and 27^th August 2010.

THE ACCOMODATION-

Participants will stay in Shared accommodation at Swapnagandha Resort Chorla Ghats.

Participants will also visit and work at the Mhadei Research Center.

Food will include Vegetarian and Non-vegetarian options.

ESSENTIALS-

1. Fast drying earth colored field clothes.

2. Gumboots or good walking shoes fit for rainy weather.

3. Powerful Torch or Headlight- with extra batteries.

4. Rainwear (Raincoats or Ponchos).

5. Field Note Pad and Pen/pencil.

6. Personal medical kit if any.

7. Back pack for field.

8. Water bottle or container for Field.

9. Sleeping bag or blanket and sheet.

10. Camera.

11. Personal toiletries.

CAMP FEES- RS. 7000/- (Seven Thousand only) including Pick up and drop from Panjim, all meals, course fee and stay at shared accommodation at Swapnagandha Resort.

AGE GROUP- 18 YEARS TO 50 YEARS

NUMBER OF SEATS- 8 (EIGHT SEATS ONLY)

NOTE-

1. THIS IS NOT A PICNIC SO PLEASE BE SURE TO KNOW THAT PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE TO MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE AND FOLLOW RULES AS LAID BY SURVEY LEADERS.

2. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION WILL NOT BE ALLOWED DURING THE ENTIRE PERIOD OF THE SURVEY.

FOR DETAILS CONTACT- OPHIDIAN_NIRMAL@YAHOO.CO.IN

OR CALL ON 09326107079 (Nirmal) OR 09822586918 (Glenda).