A trek Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem on Sun. 27th Sept 09

Hi Friends,
Team MITRA has organized a trek Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem for all nature and wildlife enthusiasts on Sunday 27/09/2009. BMWS is known for its richness of biodiversity ranging from mammals to lesser known fauna and offers a splendid colourful treat to eyes. The sites like Vasant Bandhara, Nandranmol etc which fall in the boundaries of this sanctuary are a must visit for its flora and fauna richness. So gear up for a yet another trek with us..
The participants will have to report at Old Bus Stand, Ponda at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday 27th Sept. The participation fees for the trek is Rs.200/- per head.The number of participants is limited to 30 participants. The trek wont take place untill there are minimum 20 participants.(In such case, those who have pre-registered for the trek will be refunded with their participation fees). For any queries, details and registration inquiries, please feel free to call
Mandar on 9049 930 254
Rohan on 9271 350 091
Aniket on 9730 602 146

Please read the following instructions and disclaimer
1. Littering in the forest during the trek is strictly prohibited. All the non-biodegradable items carried to the spot should be carried back.
2. Collecting any specimen like any flowers, plants, plant derivatives or animals or allied products etc. from the sanctuary/protected area where trek/camp is held is strictly prohibited under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
3. Protection of each ones possessions will be their own responsibility. MITRA in any circumstances won’t be responsible for the loss or damage to ones valuable articles.
4. In Case of any emergencies during trek /camp like medical emergencies, MITRA will try to provide whatever primary help required. But MITRA, under any circumstances, should not be held responsible for the consequences or causes of such emergencies.
5. Smoking, consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Making loud noise of any sort or any other disturbances should be avoided.

See you than,
Team MITRA

Screening of “The Silk Spinners” by MITRA on Saturday 8th August

Hi Friends,
We at MITRA have decided to organize monthly sessions for general public to inculcate and promote the GREEN thought through various means like screening of documentary films, group discussions, lectures by field/subject experts etc.
As the first activity under this project, we have arranged a screening of a very beautiful wildlife documentary “The Silk Spinners” by noted wildilfe filmmaker Sir David Attenborough. The program is scheduled at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday 8th August 2009 at G.V.M.’s Auditorium, Farmagudi, Ponda-Goa.

About the film
Sir Attenborough’s films are a visual treat to watch and an experience to take along with and The Silk Spinners is not an exception to it. The third installment of the series “Life in the Undergrowth” portrays how a small strand of silk has played a crucial role in life of invertebrates. The journey of this film begins from a cave located in New Zealand inhibited by glowing fungus and further takes you to various forests around earth where these Silk Spinners are spinnig their life cycles with this magical thread.

Please make it convenient to attend this event which will be followed by discussion. Pass the message to your friends and family members and make this event a success to cheer our spirits up

Trek to Bhagwan Mahaveer WLS on Sun, 12 July 2009

Hello Friends,
As the rains have started showering, jungles are springing back to green shades and rivers are having enough to overflow…This is the best time to rove around the forests which shall offer a splendid treat to eyes.

Thus we at MITRA are planning a monsoon trek in Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary on Sunday 12th July, 2009. The trek will begin from Tambadi Surla, walking towards Barabhumi and end at Surla village in Sanguem taluka.
The approx distance covered will be around 12 kms with one halt at Barabhumi temple inside the forest.

Participation fees for trek is Rs.200 per head which covers travelling from Ponda Bus Stand to Tambdi Surla, Sanctuary Entry fees and later picking up at Surla and back to Ponda.
The participant are requested to carry their raingears, lunch pack and water.

The number of participants is limited to 30. The participation should be confirmed over telephone on or before 7th July 2009. The participants should report on 12th July at 8 a.m. on Old Bus Stand, Ponda.

See you then!
team MITRA

For further details, plesae contact
Rohan –> 9271 350 091
Mandar–> 9049 930 254
Utkarsh–> 9420 178 820

or email us at
mitra.goa09@gmail.com

What’s happening on World Environment Day in Goa?

As every environment enthusiast gears up for celebrating “World Environment Day” ie 5th June, let’s take a sneak peak into Goan environment arena for eco-events happening in and around capital city.

* By the time you have read this, Nirmal and Roopa @ Earthworm must have screened the ‘Monsoons- India’s God of Life’, a documentary film by famous wildlife filmmaker Shekhar Dattatri at the stroke of 12:00 a.m. The screening will be followed by a discussion session on the film as well as Western Ghats.
* WWF-Goa organises a talk/discussion session on the Mhadei issue and its consequences on Goa at WWF-Goa office in Goa Science Center Campus which is scheduled at 4:00 p.m. This session will be addressed by Shri. Pratapsingh Rane, Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, Smt. Nirmala Sawant, President of Mhadei Bachao Abhiyaan and CCF, Goa Forest Department. Mind you, it’s a “MUST ATTEND” event for the day and please do come in flocks to flood the gathering.
* Goa Forest Department will be inaugrating the “Save Frogs Campaign 2009″ at Forest Office, Campal Range-Campal,Panjim Goa. The awareness material will be distributed on this account. This event is scheduled at 5:30 p.m.

So see you all tommorow! and yeah…Happy World Environment Day….Let’s save the Environment.

Tambdi Surla waterfall trek report by Paresh Gosavi

On 16th May, MITRA organised a trek for general public to Tamdi Surla Waterfall. One of our senior member, Paresh Gosavi writes about the trek in a very lucid way. Read it here.

Resplendent nature,gurgling water splashing bedrock,intoxicatin g moist air,green rooftops of tree canopies,chirping birds,wandering butterflies and crawling reptiles- all of it I got to enjoy during the trek to Surla waterfalls organised by Mitra-an econature group started by my younger buddies.
Our trek began from tambdi surla temple into deep forest track leading to Surla waterfall.

The dense foliage above us kept the sun out of our reach giving our trek a cool experience. No sooner we had walked around half a km we were being surrounded by colourful butterflies like blue mormons,common mormons, tamil yeoman,rustic, lascar,chocolate pansy,common baron,bluebottles ,common Indian crow,Malabar raven and others. The crested serpent eagle was sovering high in the sky with its high pitch screeching heard far and wide. Omkar and I spotted one butterfly which bewildered us as we couldn’t match it with the books . We knew we had found out something rare . Finally we got a decent shot and it was confirmed(by Parag)to be a Blue Nawab.

We reached the waterfall around 11am. It was a spectacular view of silvery white water splashing into pearl droplets as it hit the black rock. The water was not copious enough to swim but we all still managed to duck our heads under the fall . The water pouring on our head and eventually covering the ears make you feel cut off from this world-an ultimate bliss. Some of our daredevils –Rohan, Saish, Chris,  Abdul, Sahaj even climbed to the top of the waterfall.We all munched on the titbits we had brought along with us and also the veg/non veg rolls bought by two guys from Madgaon.

It was time to move back but Ajay told everyone to assemble near an open area. Saish was carrying a huge bag with him. Rohan came with a sickle shaped rod. I knew the boys were about to release a snake into the wild. Saish first took out a non venomous snake-sand boa. He flawlessly explained the myths and facts associated with it. Even we spectators got a chance to handle and feel it. Then Rohan carefully turned the bag upside down and out came russels viper.This orangish yellow snake with diamond shaped spots on the body is truly charismatic. The hissing sound sent chill down the bone of everyone. A top rated venomous snake,but Rohan was unfazed and he handled it with ease. Later we released them into the wild.

On our way back we also saw Emerald dove,Malabar parkeet,asian fairy blue bird,yellow browed red whiskered and ruby throated yellow bulbuls. For Omkar and me it was not yet over. We once again saw a Nawab butterfly-the common nawab-which contrastingly is rare in goa.It was busy sucking nutrient sap allowing us to photograph it barely a few cms away.Finally we reached the temple at around 2 30pm where our private bus was waiting to take us back.
Hopefully I will have many more such joyous and adventurous moments during future trails with Mitra.

Report by Paresh Gosavi

Photographs: Ajay Dongre

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Welcome to the blog site of MITRA!

We are a group of young individuals trying to work in the field of nature and wildlife conservation and sensitising masses about the rich natural heritage of Goa.

We undertake activities like nature trails and treks, nature orientation camps, lectures by field experts, discussions on environmental issues etc. We also have an active rescue cell to rescue snakes in and around Ponda.

Together we can make a difference!

Team MITRA