The Mhadei wildlife sanctuary through my window.

Wishing one and all a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2015. Let this year bring in peace and stability in our lives and living environments. Wishes and prayers to all those who are striving to make a difference in their own way…and to those who hopefully will begin from this year onwards…:)

Sanctuary Asia ' Wind under Wings' award 2014 received

I received the Sanctuary Asia 'Wind under Wings' award 2014 on behalf of Team Wildernest, my research colleagues at Mhadei Research Center and Hypnale Research Station, and of course the communities and students i work with across the forest landscapes of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/people/earth-heroes/9838-nirmal-kulkarni.html

Environment activists from Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu came together for two days brainstorming session from October 28 and 29 to discuss and take stock of the threats to the Western Ghats vis-a-vis powerful pressures from growing population demands and to discuss about the socio-economic development needs, new government policies and climate change and to break the impasse on the political and popular acceptance towards immediate implementation of the best of WGEEP reports.

Pandurang Hegde, the initiator of Appiko movement has co-ordinated the meeting. Claude Alvares, the Director of Goa Foundation at the inaugural session said, “As a result of the Save Western Ghats movement launched in 1987, the area under the Western Ghats to be protected was increased from 8000 sq.km to 65,000 sq.km, which is a great success. In order to strengthen our mission further, youngsters should take part in the movement and achieve the unfinished goals.”

Environmentalist Ramesh Gauns said, “Unplanned and haphazard development in name of hinterland tourism will result in creating garbage and other wildlife conflict related problems and these need to be studied”

Kumar Kalanand Mani of Peaceful Society told, “We have to give the call of ‘Chalo (go to) Western Ghats’. There is need of documenting various struggles launched for the protection of environment and ecology in the form of book and web site. We have to build up strong groups for the implementation of Kasturirangan’s Report and to start dialogue with government  about Gadgil Report.”

S.R. Hiremath, Padmashree Adv. Norma Alvares, S.Y. Prabhu, Vaishali Patil, Rajendra Kerkar, Nirmal Kulkarni, Terence George and 70 other researchers, wildlife activists, lawyers and grassroots workers took part in the brainstorming sessions. People for Western Ghats, Peaceful Society and Mhadei Research Center jointly organized the meeting.

Press note by Rajendra Kerkar, Member, National Wildlife Advisory Board and Founder of Vivekanand Environment Awareness Brigade, Keri Sattari Goa.

The South Indian Monsoons are receding…it is the beginning of yet another winter in the Northern Western Ghats of India. As we await the arrival of Winter migrant avi fauna and the blooming of a myriad of flowers, we also thank the Rain Gods for a good monsoon this year.

CONSERVATION OUTREACH ROAD TRIP

THE TRIP -

Join herpetologist and nature photographer Nirmal U Kulkarni on an exclusive road trip in the Northern Western Ghats of India where he connects with his researcher colleagues, helps document biodiversity and creates awareness at grassroots level.

Learn basic conservation photography and field equipment skills, help compile field data and learn from Nirmal’s vast experience in conservation science over a period of 3 nights and 4 days in exquisite forest habitats.

We will stay at field stations, campsites and home stays that contribute to nature conservation and awareness and empower their work in the process.

The road trip will traverse through forest roads and jeep tracks at dawn and dusk to provide opportunity for mammal and bird photography besides undertaking night cruises to maximize sightings of reptiles and amphibians.

There will be ample of opportunity to shoot landscapes, macro images of butterflies, reptiles, and varied insects. This is also an excellent opportunity to observe and absorb village life of forest communities for those who wish to do so.

MODE OF TRAVEL -

We will travel in a well-equipped Mahindra Scorpio that has been modified to suit field requirements and long distance travel.

THE SEASON -

Climate - Pleasant weather with chilly nights.

Temperature - 12 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius.

Humidity - 70 percent.

About Nirmal -

A field ecologist and herpetologist, Nirmal Kulkarni has to credit the discovery of 3 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 an excellent storyteller.  Nirmal has been awarded with the Karmaveer Award, the Carl Zeiss award for conservation and the RBS Earth Hero ‘Inspire’ award for his work.

He currently works on pit vipers and fresh water turtles in the Northern Western Ghats of India.

TEAM SIZE -

The team size will be 5 people including Nirmal and his man Friday driver Paresh.

ESSENTIALS –

1.   Fast drying earth colored field clothes.

2.  Good walking shoes.

3.  Cap and Glares.

4.  Field Note Pad and Pen/pencil.

5.  Personal medical kit if any.

6.  Back pack for field.

7.  Water bottle for Field.

8.  Woollens for night and sleeping bag.

DATES -

16^st Oct 2014 Departure at 9.00 am from Panjim (Heera petrol pump).

19^th Oct 2014 Arrival at 3.00pm at Panjim (Heera Petrol pump).

FEES -

1.   Rs. 10,000/- per participant including stay and food and transport from ex Panjim, usage of field equipment and local guide.

2.  Camera entry fees, personal expenses for beverages, medical expenses etc. not part of the fees.

NOTE -

1.   First Aid and safety protocol for participants as well as the wildlife we observe are of primary importance and decisions of Team Leader is final in this matter.

2.  Transportation will be from Panjim to Panjim only.

3.  Confirmation of seat can be done by making a 100 percent advance payment in Cheque/Cash or Direct Transfer in the name of ‘HERPACTIVE’. This is NON-REFUNDABLE so please be sure before you confirm.

ACCOUNT DETAILS -

HERPACTIVE- 611401010050078.

Account type- Current account.

IFSC Code is UBIN0561142.

Union Bank of India,

Dhuler, Mapusa Branch, North Goa.

For more details email at ophidian_nirmal@yahoo.co.in

Rajendra Bhai on National Wildlife Advisory Board.

Rajendra P. Kerkar, environmentalist from Goa and known to all of us as Bhai Kerkar is one of the 10 non official members who has been nominated to the National Wildlife Advisory Board. An affidavit to this regard was submitted to the Ho Supreme Court of India by MoEF — Bhai kerkar focuses on water conservation, community knowledge documentation and protection of the Northern Western Ghats of India. A well-known conservationist he has spent his life spreading awareness about nature, especially in the hinterlands of Goa. He is also a member of the Goa State Wildlife Board. I have been fortunate to have learnt some early lessons in community conservation and human-wildlife interactions from him and continue to do so. Image by Stalin SM.