Kass, Satara (The Plateau of Flowers) 12th to 14th Sep, 2008

Latest News : This trip is housefull.... But let us know if you are still interested to visit Kass at a later date ..... kindly inform on natureindiatours@gmail.com

I am sure, you all must have heard about “Valley of flowers” in Himalayas where hundreds of varieties of wild flowers of all colours bloom in August – September every year….where the valley transforms into no less than a “Heaven” ……hundreds of visitors toil several kms to reach this valley and to experience the bliss.

(Sincere thanks to - Mr.Ritesh Bagul for allowing me to use some of his amazing images on Kass. )
However, not many know that a similar (though not majestic as the Himalayan site) place exists in Maharashtra…..its a “Plateau of flowers”….. famously known as “Kaas plateau” situated approx. 25 kms from Satara city.

The lateritic plateau of Kass has becomes home to millions of tiny flowers in late monsoons. The whole spectacle is beyond words. More than 300 varieties of wild flowers, herbs, orchids, shrubs, insectivorous plants etc. can be seen here in Aug and Sep (Best time is 15^th Aug to 15^th Sep)….. This plateau overlooks the lush evergreen forests that serves as a water catchment area of Koyna Dam and which is recently declared as “Sahyadri Tiger reserve” ……….

In monsoon the whole area transforms into an unbelievable carpets of flowers like yellow carpets of Smithia and Sonki flowers, Pink carpets of Balsam, Purple carpets of Karvi etc….

It is a dream destination not only for avid botanists but also for those who appreciate nature. These carpets change colours almost every week depending on the dominant flowers during that time.

The place is rich also in minerals and you can see the red patches of laterite rocks typically called ‘Sadaa’ in Marathi.

Click here to view some images from this amazing place…….

http://picasaweb.google.com/adesh.shivkar/KassSataraThePlateauOfFlowers15th16thSep07

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritbphotos/sets/72157594289655216/

http://trekdriver.blogspot.com/2007/01/kas-lake-1st-october06.html

Kass plateau and the surrounding area has a very good birdlife with good sightings of Crested Buntings, Malabar Crested Larks, Oriental White-eyes, Bonelli’s Eagle. It is a heaven for Macro photography too.

Trip Details

Though the trip will be focused on watching the flora and to learn more about them with a distinguished expert, we would also not miss the other fauna such as birds, butterflies and amphibians that are found in plenty there….

Date: 12^th Sep, 2008 morning 6.30 am to 14^th Sep, 2008 eve 8.00 pm

Resource person: Mr.Adesh Shivkar & Dr. Shraddha Shimpi (HOD- Botany, Pendharkar College, Dombivili)

Mode of Travel : By Minibus (considering the extensive travel to cover the area and also the to and fro travel from Hotel to the Plateau everyday)

Rough Iterinary:

1) Friday 12^th Sep, 2008 : Depart to Kass (20 kms from Satara) from Bandra (E) at 6.30 am…..reach by around 1.00 pm- Check in Hotel – Lunch – proceed to the Plateau and the Ghat to watch the species that grow on the slopes – return back at 7 pm

2) Saturday 13^th Sep, 2008: Start early morning to the plateau to experience the grandeur of floral carpets – return for lunch and proceed to the Thoseghar Waterfalls to enjoy the beauty of monsoon.

3) Sunday 14th Sep, 2008: Start early for a birding session near Bamnoli (part of Koyna forest)….Flora watch at Kass Plateau.....Return to Hotel at 12 pm – Lunch – Checkout and depart for Mumbai – reach Bandra(E) by 8.00 pm.

Trip charges & Mode of Payment :

Trip Charges : Rs./-

Includes Stay at Hotel Radhika Palace in Satara on triple sharing basis, Travel by 27 seater minibus , Park entry charges if any, vegetarian food, Articles on Kass and Wild flowers & on board snacks and water…….

This does not include any charges other then the above.

Registration: You can register by giving a confirmation mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non refundable 40 % Advance (Rs.2000/-) …..the remaining amount will be collected in the bus on 12^th Sep .

Payment: You can either
1) Transfer the advance money directly to my HDFC A/c : (Please call me to know my A/c no.) .... please mention your name, date and other details….
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.2000/- to the following address

Name: Mr.Adesh Shivkar
Address: D/8, The Adi Janata Society, Behind HP Petrolpump, Opp. Hotel Shangrila, Sion(East), Mumbai-400022

Please reply to me, in case you need any clarification …..

For any other queries I am available on 9321463362 or 9820455713 or natureindiatours@gmail.com

Hope to see you for this wonderful trip

Thanks for your patience.

Warm Regards,

Adesh Shivkar
Nature India
Appreciate, Respect & Care for Nature

Nannaj GIB Sanctuary - 6th to 7th Sep, 2008

Bookings for Nannaj trip from 5th to 8th Sep 2008 are on...for details see at the end.

GIB & Grey Francolin Image: Coutesy: Mr.Nayan Khanolkar

India is blessed with a variety of habitats that hold varied birdlife. However, most of these habitats are under threat from something or the other. From these, the Grassland habitats in particular are the first to encroached upon, on the pretext that these are wastelands. However, they are one of the most bio-diversity rich habitats that hold an amazing variety of birdlife. Once, there were far stretching areas which had grasslands throughout India, but sadly very few remain now (apart from the Terai Grasslands)……notably amongst them are Banni grasslands, Naliya, Velavadar and LRK in Gujarat, Rollapadu in Andhra Pradesh, Ghatigoan & Karera Bustard sanctuary in M.P., Sorson and Sonkhaliya in Rajasthan, Rannebennur in Karnataka, Rehekuri, Ozhar, Mayureshwar & Nannaj in Maharashtra.
(Participants of the 1st trip- 15th to 17th Aug, 2008)

With the exploitation of grasslands, the flagship species namely the Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican, Indian Wolf, Blackbuck are also threathened. Infact there are fewer than 400 GIBs that are believed to remain in the whole world and are critically endangered. Not many know that this majestic bird was once a strong contender for the position of our national bird……but the tricky name got him out of the race.

Nannaj GIB Sanctuary : One such amazing grassland / scrubland is the famous Nannaj GIB sanctuary, approx. 22 kms from Solapur.

Nannaj is a small village approx. 22 Kms away from the main city Solapur, Maharashtra.The total area covered under sanctuary is approx. 600 hectars. However, it is not a continous strech, but a discontinous area which is divided into various plots, some of which are owned by Govt. and some are Private land.

The area called "100 Hectar" is a plot of 100 hectars, and is the core area of the sanctuary where the breeding pairs have been observed. Recent census has put the estimation to over 20 Great Indian Bustards.... However, the GIBs spread over vast areas in the sanctuary and nearby cultivated fields depending on the availability of food.

Nannaj GIB Sanctuary also holds a very good population of Blackbucks that stroll over leisurely but cautiously around the park and the surrounding area. The main predators of these Blackbucks and the Black-naped hares which abound here are Indian Wolf and Indian Fox. There is a resident pack of 8 wolves in the core area of the sanctuary, that are regularly seen scanning their area with a dominant "Alpha pair".....

Apart from the above flagship species, Nannaj is a great place to see a number of other grassland and scrubland species like larks, pipits, Quails, Francolins, Sandgrouse, Lapwings, Raptors, Coursers, Munias, Doves etc…..

Click some of these links to know more about Nannaj

http://addithebirdie.blogspot.com/2005/10/birding-in-land-of-great-indian.html

http://addithebirde.blogspot.com/2008/07/tiger-in-nannaj-solapur.html

http://krishphoto.com/trip-reports/nannaj-wildlife-sanctuary-aug-06.html

http://nannajthegrassland.blogspot.com/

http://nannaj-wls-our-own-indian-savanna.blogspot.com/

http://bnhsornitho.blogspot.com/2006/09/photo-essay-of-nannaj-trip.html

Though the GIBs are nomads and can spread to a large area, August month is the best time to try and see the bustards in Nannaj area when they seek a safe abode to display and breed in the core area.

Breaking News : 4 male Great Indian Bustards were seen along with over 90 species in our last trip :-)

Trip Details

Date: 5^th Sep 2008 eve. 10.30 pm to 8^th Sep 2008 mor. 6.30 am

Mode of Travel : Train uptill Solapur and local travel by Jeeps.

Tour Iterinary:

5th Sep- Departure from Mumbai by train at 10.30 pm

6th Sep - Arrive at Solapur by 6.55 am - Refresh & Breakfast (really fast) - Birdwatching in Nannaj - Lunch at Hotel - Visit to Eurasian Eagle Owl area - Evening Birding at Nannaj

7th Sep- Morning Birdwatching in Nannaj - Sumptous lunch of the typical Solapur delicacies -Evening visit to Motibaug tank / Kambar talao in Solapur city for birding - return to hotel - Dinner and proceed to board the train at 10.45 pm

8th Sep- Reach Mumbai (Dadar) in mor. by 6.30 am

More details on the iterinary will be given to those who register.....

Trip charges : Rs.3350/-

Includes Stay in Hotel at Solapur on a twin sharing basis, Mumbai-Solapur-Mumbai train travel (Sleeper Class), Local transport by Jeeps, Park entry charges, vegetarian food, Articles on Nannaj and Nannaj bird checklist, on board mineral water and snacks……

This does not include any other chages and also any individual camera charges .... the person will need to pay to the forest dept as per their rules.

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmation mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non refundable Advance of Rs.2000/-…..the remaining amount will be collected in the bus on the day of travel.

Resource Persons: Mr.Adesh Shivkar & Mr.Bhagwat Mhaske

Payment: You can either
1) Transfer the advance money directly to my HDFC A/c : (please call me for my A/c no.) .... please mention your name, date and other details….
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.2000/- to the following address

Name: Mr.Adesh Shivkar
Address: D/8, The Adi Janata Society, Behind HP Petrolpump, Opp. Hotel Shangrila, Sion(East), Mumbai-400022

Please reply to me, in case you need any clarification …..

For any other queries I am available on 9321463362 or 9820455713 or natureindiatours@gmail.com

Hope to see you for this wonderful trip

Thanks for your patience.

Warm Regards,

Adesh Shivkar
Nature India
Appreciate, Respect & Care for Nature