Nature camp to Khambhat, Nalsarovar, Lothal and Velavdar 26-31 Dec, 2015

Black bucks Clicked by Mr. Bhaskar P

The year 2015 ended with lots of fun for Oikoessence with learning and good list of sightings during Our Gulf of Khambhat and Velavdar - The Blackbuck National Park camp. We also visited Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary and Archiological site at Lothal - One of the excavation site for Harappan civilization in India. Khambhat is famous for Agates and one can get varieties of jewelry and showpieces as a souvenir from here.

Toddy palms clicked by Gauri G.

Garden lizard Clicked by Mr. Ekambaram T.

Terrapin clicked by Mr. Bhaskar P.

We were 13 people from Mumbai and Pune for this nature camp. The focus of the camp was on biodiversity. We saw trees like Acacia nilotica, Prosopis sp., Ficus sp., toddy palms and variety of grass species. We have listed down some of the bird sightings and sharing the same with you all. Happy reading...

Bid group clicld by Mr. Ekambaram T.

Pelicans clicked by Mr. Bhaskar P.

Saras crane (pair) clicked by Mr. Bhaskar P.

List of Birds

White throated kingfisher Clicked by Mr. Shripad B

White throated kingfisher

Painted stork clicked by Mr. Shripad B.

Lesser flamingo

Purple swamphen

Black winged stilt

Dalmation pelican

Yellow wagtail

Pied avocet

House sparrow

Eurasian collared dove

River tern

Knob billed duck

Painted stork

Eurasian Spoonbill

Ashy drongo

Black drongo

White bellied drongo

Rose ringed parakeets clicked by Mr. Ekambaram T.

Bank myna

Barn swallow

Wire tailed swallow

Rosy starling

White wagtail

Black ibis

Spoonbill

Pond heron

Grey heron

Purple heron

Night heron

Indian roller

White breasted water-hen

Common sandpiper

Common myna

Grey francolin

Paited stork Clicked by Mr. Ekambaram T.

Large egret

Pied kingfisher

Common Kingfisher

Red wattled lapwing

Yellow wattled lapwing

Jungle babbler

Eurasian thick-knee

Yellow eyed babbler

Purple sunbird

Green bee-eater

Bronze winged jacana

Pheasant-tailed jacana

Collared dove

Greater coucal

Shikra Clicked by Mr. Bhaskar P

Indian cormorant

Great cormorant

Brahminy duck

Common coot

Dabchick

Common kestrel

Saras crane

Black-winged kite

Spot-billed duck

Indian peafowl

Alexandrine parakeet

Rose ringed parakeet

Knob billed duck

Bank mynas Clicked by Mr. Shripad B

Collared pratincole

Black kite

Common green shank

Open-billed stork

Greylag goose

Western reef egret

Marsh Harrier

Garganey

Common hoopoe

Rufous tailed lark

Common chiffchaff

Black-tailed godwit

Ashy crowned sparrow lark

Shikra

Long tailed shrike

White-eared bulbul

Crested lark

Heuglin's gull

Brown headed gull

Black headed gull

Red vented bulbul

House crow

Jungle crow

Pied kingfisher Clicked by Mr. Bhaskar P

Northern shoveler

Spotted dove

Common teal

Glossy ibis

Isabelline shrike

Bay backed shrike

Short toed snake eagle

Silverbill

Siberian stonechat

Pallied harrier

Steppe eagle

Long billed pipit

Montegue harrier

Common crane

Indian robin

House swift

Blue-throat

Blue rock pigeon

Laughing dove

Purple heron Clicked by Mr. Bhaskar P

Pelican flight Clicked by Mr. Bhaskar P

Lesser flamingos clicked by Mr. Bhaskar B.

Blackbuck clicked by Ms. Rupali G.

Some Mammals sighted are:

Nilgai clicked by Ms. Rupali G.

Hanuman langur

Three striped squirrel

Blackbuck

Nilgai

Indian fox

More pics:

Sunset Clicked by Mr. Shripad B

Velavadar landscape clicked by Ms. Rupali G.

Nalsarovar bird watch clicked by Ms. Gauri G.

clicked by Ms. Gauri G.

Group at Lothal clicked by Ms. Gauri G.

For more information on our future camps please click on following link
http://oikoessence.blogspot.in/2015/11/programme-schedule-2016-for-nature.html

Programmes from June, 2015 to February, 2016

OikoEssence

Programmes for you From June, 2015 to February, 2016

Learning from ‘The Mother Nature’

One day nearby…

Participants should bear their own entry tickets (wherever required), travel and food expenses unless mentioned. Carry your own water, food, cap, sunglasses, and rainwear according to the season. OikoEssence will not bear any charges unless mentioned. Prior registration is compulsory. Duration of the trail may vary depending upon the interest and sightings. Group size will be limited to 5-20 people. Registrations will be on first come first serve basis.

For details and registrations get in touch with us on email: oikoessence@gmail.com

But, before registering yourself, please go through the Rules & Regulations to be followed during OikiEssence Camps & Trails. . It is given at the end of the programme.

pic by Gauri Gurav

21^st June, 2015 – Ransai  Charges: Rs. 1000/- per head. 10% discount for child below 12 yrs.   

Meeting Point: Swaminarayan temple, Dadar stn (E)       Time: 06.30am     Duration of trail: Full day.     Registration before: 6^th June, 2015.

Charges include: breakfast, lunch and travel by private vehicle.

19^th July, 2015 – Barvi Dam      

Meeting Point: Badlapur Station (E).     Time: 08.15am     Duration of trail: 5 hrs.     Registration before: 10^th July, 2015.

We will be going by share autos till the base and then start walking. The aim will be to observe biodiversity. Participants should bear your own expenses.

23^rd August, 2015 – Panorama Point Materan      

Meeting Point: Neral Stn (E) ticket window.     Time: 08.15am     Duration of trail: 5 hrs.     Registration before: 15^th August, 2015.

We will be going by share taxis till dasturi and then walk towards panorama point. The aim will be to observe biodiversity. We may not reach till the end. Participants should bear your own expenses.

13^th September, 2015 – Ajoba fort

Meeting Point: Asangaon Stn (E) ticket window.     Time: 08.15am     Duration of trail: 5 hrs.     Registration before: 15^th August, 2015.

We will be going by share autos to the base and then walk. The aim will be to observe biodiversity. We may not reach to the fort. Participants should bear your own expenses.

25^th October, 2015 – Korlai fort                       Charges: Rs. 1000/- per head. 10% discount for child below 12 yrs.                      

Meeting Point: Swaminarayan temple, Dadar stn (E)     Time: 06.30am     Duration of trail: full day     Registration before: 9^th October, 2015.                    Charges include: breakfast, lunch and travel by private vehicle.

15^th November, 2015 – Chheda Nagar, Chembur

Meeting Point: Will be informed later     Time: 07.30am     Duration of trail: 3 hrs.     Registration before: 7^th November, 2015. Participants should bear your own expenses.

13^th December, 2015 – Colaba Woods

Meeting Point: Entrance of the garden.     Time: 07.30am     Duration of trail: 3 hrs.     Registration before: 5^th December, 2015. Participants should bear your own expenses.

Pic by Dr. Shreya Bhanap

17^th January, 2016 – Saatpool

Meeting Point: Dombivali stn (W).     Time: 07.15am     Duration of trail: 5 hrs.     Registration before: 9^th January, 2016.

We will be going by autos till saatpool. Participants should bear your own expenses.

Pic by Rupali Gurav

14^th February, 2016 – Tansa

Meeting Point: Aatgaon stn (W).     Time: 08.15am     Duration of trail: 5 hrs.     Registration before: 6^th January, 2016. Participants should bear your own expenses.

Overnight in Wilderness - Nature Camps

Carry your own water, food, cap, sunglasses, and rainwear according to the season. Food served will be simple, vegetarian as per forest permits.

8^th – 11^th June, 2015 – Radhanagari and Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Konkan, these Sanctuaries have dense forests and are famous for Gaurs.

Camp charges: Rs. 6000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs.

The cost includes food, stay and transport Mumbai to Mumbai.  Registration before: 8^th May, 2015.

Journey Details: Second class

8^th June (Monday), 2015: Departure by 10111 Konkankanya from Mumbai CST at 23.05hrs. Reach kankvali at 07.17hrs on 9^th June, Tuesday.

11^th June (Thursday), 2015: Departure by 12052 Janashatabdi from Kankvali at 16.08hrs. Reach Dadar at 23:05 hrs on the same night.

Pic by Rupali Gurav

27^th – 28^th June, 2015 – Morachi Chincholi

Enjoy local food and home stay at this village of Pashchim Maharashtra. Villagers of Morachi Chincholi have adapted a special lifestyle of staying in harmony with peafowl. We will be also visiting Nighoj famous for natural deep gorge rock formations. It is known for the naturally created potholes on the riverbed of the River Kukadi

Camp charges: Rs. 3600/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs.

Pic by Rupali Gurav

The cost includes food, stay and transport (by private vehicle) Mumbai to Mumbai.    Registration before: 19^th June, 2015.

Bus will leave from from Swaminarayan temple opposite Dadar station (E) at 6.30am sharp on 27^th June, 2015. We should reach back at 7.30pm on Sunday, 28^th June, 2015


6^th – 10^th August, 2015 – Amboli

Pic by Gauri Gurav

Camp charges: Rs. 5350/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs.

The cost includes food, stay and transport Mumbai to Mumbai.  Registration before: 8^th May, 2015.

Journey Details: Second sleeper class

6^th August (Thursday), 2015: Departure by 10111 Konkankanya from Mumbai CST at 23.05hrs. Reach Sawantwadi Rd at 08.22hrs on 7^th August, Friday.

9^th August (Sunday), 2015: Departure by 10112 Konkankanya from Sawantwadi Rd at 19.36hrs. Reach Mumbai CST at 05.50hrs on Monday 10^th August.

The focus of the camp will be on biodiversity especially monsoon plants and lesser fauna such as amphibians, reptiles etc. Stay will be in hotel on double or triple sharing basis.

24^th – 25^th September, 2015 – Kaas platue

Pic by Gauri Gurav

It is known as little valley of flowers in Maharashtra. There are extreme chances of sighting monsoon flora in bloom and also the mass flowering of Karvi shrub.

Pic by Gauri Gurav

Camp charges: Rs. 4000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs.

The cost includes food, stay and transport (by private vehicle) Mumbai to Mumbai.
Registration before: 11^th September, 2015. Bus will leave from Swaminarayan temple opposite Dadar station (E) at 6.30am sharp on 24^th and we should reach back at 7.30pm on 25^th September Evening.

10^th – 11^th October, 2015 – Raigad

Built in 14^th century and was a capital of Maratha Kingdom since 1674. This ‘Gibraltar of the East’ (as British used to call it) is built on a strategic location also offers, a scenic beauty and variety of Biodiversity. Stay will be in hotel on double or triple sharing basis.

Camp charges: Rs. 3850/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs.

The cost includes food, stay and transport (by private vehicle) Mumbai to Mumbai.    Registration before: 25^th September, 2015.

Bus will leave from Swaminarayan temple opposite Dadar station (E) at 6.30am sharp on 10^th and we should reach back at 7.30pm on Sunday, 11^th

Pic by Gauri Gurav

15^th – 25^th November, 2015 – Hampi, Karnataka; Salim Ali bird Sanctuary and Mhadei Sanctuary, North Goa (Travel local)

Camp charges: Rs. 20,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs.

The cost includes food, stay and transport (the emphasis will be given to local transport such as buses, autos and sometimes private vehicles) Mumbai to Mumbai.     Registration before: 11^th July, 2015.

Journey Details: second sleeper class

15th November (Sunday), 2015: Departure by 17322 LTT Hubli express from LTT at 21.15hrs. Reach Badami at 13.55hrs on 16th November, 2015.                                       

21st November (Saturday), 2015: Departure by 18047 Amaravathi Express from Hospet at 06.25hrs. Reach Vasco Da Gama at 15.05hrs on 21st November, 2015.

24th November (Tuesday), 2015: Departure by 10112 Konkankanya Express from Madgaon at 18.00hrs. Reach Mumbai CST at 05.50hrs on 25th November, 2015.

26^th – 31^st December, 2015 – Blackbuck Sanctuary, Velavadar and Gulf of Khambat

Located in Bhal region of Gujatarat blackbuck sanctuary is spread over the area of 34.52sqkms. Apart from lackbucks there are chances of sighting nilgai and few birds such as waders, harriers etc. Gulf of Khambbat is a recently discovered and accepted site which has remains of ancient human civilization – The Indus Valley Civilisation. We will not be able to visit this site as it is located 20 km from the Gujarat coast (under the sea), spans 9 km, and can be found at a depth of 30–40 meters. We will be visiting the places nearby that have some old architectures. We all will be exploring the history.

Camp charges: Rs. 13,500/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs.

The cost includes food, stay and transport Mumbai to Mumbai.  Registration before: 20^th August, 2015.

Journey Details: Mumbai to vadodara – second sleeper class; Bhavnagar to Mumbai 3Ac.

26th December (Saturday), 2015: Departure by 19065 Vadodara Express from BCT at 23.40hrs. Reach Vadodara at 05.55hrs on 27th December, 2015.                                       

30th December (Wednesday), 2015: Departure by 12972 BVC-BDTS Express from Bhavnagar terminus at 20.30hrs. Reach BDTS at 10.20hrs on 31st December, 2015.

22^nd – 26^th January, 2016 – Ganeshgule, Ratnagiri

Typical Konkani village with nice beach, forest and off-course a variety of biodiversity welcomes you to experience the lifestyle of Konkani. Local vegetarian Konkani food and home stay awaits you here.

Camp charges: Rs. 6000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs.

The cost includes food, stay and transport Mumbai to Mumbai.  Registration before: 15^th September, 2015.

Journey Details: Second Sleeper class

22^nd January (Friday), 2016: Departure by 10111 Konkankanya express from Mumbai CST at 23.05hrs. Reach Ratnagiri at 06.25hrs on 23^rd January, 2016.                                       

25^th January (Monday), 2016: Departure by 10112 Konkankanya Express from Ratnagiri at 23.05hrs. Reach Mumbai CST 05.50hrs on 26^th January, 2016.

20^th – 25^th February, 2016 – Tadoba Tiger Reserve and Ramtek Heritage Site

Wildlife of the Tadoba and heritage of Ramtek will refresh your mind.

Camp charges: Rs. 19,000/- per head. 10% discount for a child below 12 yrs.

The cost includes food, stay and transport Mumbai to Mumbai.  Registration before: 9^th October, 2015.

Journey Details: second sleeper class

20^th February (Saturday), 2016: Departure by 12289 Nagpur Duronto from Mumbai CST at 20.15hrs. Reach Nagpur at 07.20hrs on 21^st February, 2016.                                       

24^th February (Wednesday), 2016: Departure by 12290 Nagpur CSTM Duronto from Nagpur at 20.40hrs. Reach Mumbai CST at 07.55hrs on 25^th February, 2016.

Rules & Regulations to be followed during OikoEssence Camps & Trails

1.       Oikoessence Nature Camps and trails 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.      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.

4.      Participants must follow strict discipline and no misbehavior will be tolerated any participant found doing so may be requested to leave the camp.

5.      Detailed program of the following day will be briefed one day in advance.

6.      Participants have to adhere to the given itinerary and no alterations by the participants will be entertained.

7.      Participants should strictly follow the instructions of the group leader.

8.     Smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited.

9.      Participants should take care of their belongings & valuable articles & will be solely responsible for them.

10.   No portage will be provided.

11.   Mineral water will not be provided unless mentioned.

12.  OikoEssence will not be responsible for any mishap or catastrophe.

13.  Wear comfortable walking shoes and never wear any high heels foot wear.

14.  Please carry Water bottle, Cap, Torch, Mosquito repellents, Personal medicines and toiletries.

15.   Do not wear any kind of perfume or deodorant while in the sanctuary.

16.  Do not carry any music system or walkman, etc. in forest area.

17.   Do not carry any inflammables and do not light fire in the forest area.

18.  Do not tease any wild animal or destroy habitat of the Park or Sanctuary.

19.  Carry clothes according to climate and season (do not wear red, white or any bright/fluorescent colours).

20.   If a camp is canceled by OikoEssence 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. 50% of the total camp cost will be deducted for cancellation done 15 days prior to the commencement of camp. After that no refund will be given.