Bird Estimate around the protected area of Pakke Tiger Reserve - 8th February 2014 - 13th February 2014

IT Nature Club invites birdwatchers and theirfri ends for the second citizen participatory initiative in Pakke,-Arunachal Pradesh.An opportunity for the ordinary citizens who are also avid birders to take part in the scheduled bird estimate planned for the winter of 2013.

The first count was conducted inside the Pakke Tiger Reserve, wherein 25 participants estimated a total of 167 birds from around 4 different locations inside the park.

To check the status of habitat and protection of the avi fauna around the periphery of the park the scheduled bird estimate is planned between 8th February 2014 - 13th February 2014.This initiative is co-ordinated by Help Tourism, IT Nature Club and Ghora Aaabhe Society by involving the community living around the park.

The participation fee of Rs.9,500 per participant will be used for the conservation efforts in the park. This amount will be utilized by Ghora Aabhe Society for conducting regular livelihood programs for the community who are living on the fringes of the park to become partners in the conservation efforts.The amount is inclusive of picking up the participants from Guwahati and dropping off to Guwahati, fooding & lodging during the count and a cultural show by the Nyshis, the local community of the region.

Ghora Aabhe Society is a registered group of twelve village chiefs from around the park.Ghora Aabhe Society along with the forest department supports conservation efforts in and around the park.They enforce customary laws, institute penalties against hunting / logging and organize conservation awareness programs around Pakke Tiger Reserve. Representatives of the society also run the Pakke Jungle Camp - a community managed stay option in Seijosa under the guidance and support from Help Tourism.

Help Tourism is an award winning, reputed and pioneering rural tourism organization which has been regularly organizing capacity building and livelihood programs for the communities living around the protected areas in East & North East India such as Pakke Tiger Reserve.

You can request for Participation Form and more details by emailing us at itnatureclub@gmail.com OR calling us on +91 9845383882 

Join us with your birding friends for an amazing birding and trekking experience in the Eastern Himalayas.

Bird Estimate in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary - 1st Feb 2014 to 4th Feb 2014

Western Arunachal Pradesh is a biodiversity paradise. Covering an area of 218 sq. km, it is part of the Kameng Protected Area Complex, a 3,500 km2 of mostly contiguous forests.The Sanctuary got its name due to the Mountain Eagles, a regiment of the army that used this area in the 1950’s. The Bugun Liocichla (Liocichla bugunorum) was discovered here in 2006; and was the first new bird species to be described from India since Independence. Numerous other species have been discovered and rediscovered here, in some cases after as many as 125 years. Over the last decade over 525 species of birds, 180 species of butterflies, more than 500 species of moths, 33 species of reptiles, and 35 species of amphibians have been recorded here, testifying to the area’s biodiversity.

The Bugun Welfare Society has been the key organisation here ,in not only organising bird tours in an eco-friendly, economically viable and sustainable way, but also in fostering an ethic of conservation and awareness amongst local communities, community leaders and school students. To celebrate the awesome diversity of the park,the Bugun Welfare Society is planning to hold an “Eaglenest Birding Festival”.

The main aim of this festival is to: 

a. raise awareness about Eaglenest, especially its unique wildlife and global conservation value amongst a larger global audience, but especially amongst local communities living around Eaglenest. 

b. provide a common platform for participants to help advance biodiversity research and conservation in Eaglenest, and 

c. build capacity amongst resident people in sustainable and eco-friendly wildlife tourism, so that the tourism enterprise can be an entirely community-run initiative.

As part of the festival, Bugun Welfare Society,Bugun Welfare Society/Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department and IT Nature Club will coordinate a bird estimate between 1st Feb 2014 to 3rd Feb 2014 around Lama Camp.

Pl also note that for the duration of the bird festival, the Bugun Welfare Society will provide food and lodging at non-tourist rates for volunteers, to encourage the participation of dedicated naturalists and motivated photographers.

If you are interested to take part in this bird estimate and be part of citizen initiative towards conservation, do mail at itnatureclub@gmail.com or call +91 9845383882

Come and celebrate pure joy of birding in one of the best birding destinations of India.

Memories of Pasighat

As was instructed and discussed by Mr.Tashi Mize ,DFO , D'Ering Wildlife Sanctuary, who was invited to speak at a function organized by VHP, we were to accompany him to the function.It was the last day of nearly 10 days training program organized by VHP for the women around the villages in skill development as part of the livelihood program.  You can see those  dolls made by the trained women during the workshop.

We were introduced to the local representatives of VHP

  

We were welcomed by the local organizers 

Oh ya ..that says it all...it was very very hot and humid that day

The function started with the beautiful  Donyi Polo prayer.As I had entrusted my camera with someone else, I could not record it then.However here is a link I found on You Tube of the same prayer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9m4pPCdVEc

After the prayer, it was time for Mr.Tashi Mize to address the women about the imp. of conservation. He also stressed how they can influence menfolk from hunting the wild animals and birds.

After Mr.Mize's energetic speech , it was my turn to speak to the women and I was grateful for the opportunity given to share my advice and ideas with the women as to how they can be partners in the conservation efforts.

After the main event , few personal one to one personal interaction with the women gave me lot of insight into their lifestyle, their hopes, aspirations and most imp. their needs as women.

As a goodwill gesture, handed over a sleeping bag to the local co-coordinator of the program on behalf of IT Nature Club.

DFO had planned something more ahead. We had a long day ahead after the function in Borgoli.The next halt was to one of the villages on the fringe of the park - Sigar to talk and convince the relocated villagers to be partners in the conservation process using tourism as a tool.

The forest staff had built a watch tower near the entry point to the sanctuary. And it was time to officially " use " it . This watch tower will help the front line staff to keep watch on the poaching activities around the park..

There ....Mr.Tashi Mize gives a official stamp to the tower by climbing on it ... :-)

It was my turn now to prove that I can climb this very very tall n steep tower which I felt was very high indeed..And I did and felt Everest should be a cake walk for me now..:-)

Lovely view from the tower but the purpose of the tower was to keep a  check on the poachers!

Community of Sigar and the forest staff had arranged a feast in celebration of the opening of the tower.Leaves were laid and all of us set to enjoy the feast!

We also took this light moment to have a serious round of discussion with the forest department and Gaon Boodas ( Village Chiefs) as to how we can involve the community of Aadis of Sigar in conservation efforts.

Lovingly prepared mutton cooked with rice wrapped in Banana leaf smelled yummy yummy!!

On realizing that I dont eat mutton, the boys ran back to the village , quickly gathered stuff to make daal and yummy yummy tiny fish-fry for me.

They quickly prepared the yummiest stuff  for me ...I was really touched by their gesture.

And I happily devoured "merawala khana"

The place attracts huge flocks of migrants during winter

Its time for "Thanks Giving" when the "Gaaon Boodha" decided to adopt me as the "Daughter of Sigar ". I ,on my part assured that  we shall promote home stays there , which will help them earning some livelihood in future. Time frame being winter of net year.

Thanked each of them for their wonderful hospitality and it was time to leave Sigar.

It was a wonderful day well spent and I left the place with a promise to oneself ,to be among those wonderful people one more time ...soon .

Sun was soon setting off fast..yet these small pratincoles were pretty active around a stream ..

Meanwhile Mullah's Bolero crossed one more stream bravely on our way back to Pasighat.

We made a quick dash to Renging village on our way. Spoke to the village head, who was more than willing to host guests in future.  

The last photo of that day ...those endearing smiles ..:-) Missed Chinku a lot then ..hope she grows fast and can accompany me in all my adventures in the future..:-)

Road to Pasighat

Whistling Teal

We started off early from Dibrugarh to our next destination - Pasighat.It was such a beautiful sight to see miles full of paddy fields and birds enjoying the morning Sun

Rufous Treepie

Cotton Teal

Open-billed Stork

Can you spot the Lineated Barbet on the tree?

Red Junglefowl

Lesser Adjutant

As always while crossing over to Arunachal Pradesh from Assam, you may require to cross the river on a ferry.In spite of having gone through this n number of times ,I always hold my breath while watching this

Ferry was chock a block with people and vehicles

 Brahmatputra seemed calm and serene

As soon as we approached the bank people were all set to jump out...This always reminds me of Bombay local trains as everyone seem to be in a hurry to go somewhere..:-)

Time for Mulla's driving skill test!!

And Bingo!!! Mulla passes the driving test with flying colours..:-)

We were on the road again.On the way spotted this striated grassbird "god only knows why" sitting on the wire, whereas there were ample tall grass down below.

Nearby spotted this male bronze-winged jacana trying his level best to woo the female

The female was royally ignoring him as it should be..:-P

In the distance , the hills of Along were beckoning ..but our destination was Pasighat. We reached Pasighat by late afternoon. Had a quick lunch at the only cozy restaurant of Pasighat. Met DFO Tasi Mize, who briefed us about the schedule for the next day. Sounded very exciting . Spent the night at the NEPC guest house, where we were booked by DFO for the next three days