By Tallulah D'Silva - Panjim, Goa.
Presented for www.goa-world.com/ E-News http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/
Goa has in recent times seen a number of budding small groups enthused with promoting nature treks and birding. Based at Ponda, one named MITRA has in recent times made a foray into eco activities and with a huge fan following too.
MITRA in Sanskrit means Sun, the source of all life on Earth.
MITRA comprises of young students/individuals that have been popularizing eco sensitivity and awareness about local flora and fauna through many of its treks and activities. The credit of initiating an interest in and a love for nature goes to their teacher and mentor, Ajay Dongre who got them together as part of a Nature Club way back in school. Only a few of them stuck to their passion later on and although pursuing further studies in different streams founded MITRA and thus began an interesting journey of discovering the greens around Ponda.
MITRA's focus is primarily on building awareness about Goa's rich bio heritage and its conservation. Although having organized treks initially in the Mollem area, they have now set sights on other interesting birding sites as well. The recent one on 7th February 2010 was at Carambolim Lake, a known hotspot for migratory birds during winter.
MITRA also conduct related activities like nature orientation camps, lectures by field experts, discussions on environmental issues and even have an animal rescue cell at Ponda. Having been on most of their treks what attracts keen participants is the tact with which they divide all the participants into smaller groups, recommend on observing a trekking etiquette, anti littering and disperse them separately with team leaders so that each can enjoy the experience more intimately with nature.
When in large groups, many a time, this experience turns sour when participants lack certain sensitivity amidst nature and are oft associated with our urban culture, one that is rife with boisterousness, blaring cell phone music, unnecessary flamboyance and a lack of civic sense.
MITRA boasts of members like Omkar Dharwadkar, Rohan Naik, Saish Khandeparkar, Kaustaub Naik, Aniket Amshekar, Mandar Gaude and Utkarsh Tilve, who are not only committed but also resourceful in their knowledge of local plant, insect and bird species. The recent birding at Carambolim had the highest turnout of roughly 65 participants both young and old, keen to learn and excited to be outdoors. With a brief introduction by Ajay Dongre, an avid birder and wildlife enthusiast himself, all were quickly divided into groups of 8 to10 and sent off in different directions.
The trail began at the bridge next to the Station, continued along the railway tracks, along the edge of the lake and a walk into the adjacent fields.
Although quick to assume at first sight that there were very few species, most participants who were birding for the first time were treated to a delightful session of spotting a good variety of waders, dabblers and other species typical to ponds, pond edges and agricultural habitats. Some were excited to spot the little Grebe (or Dabchick, a small water bird) in all its rufous finery making a quick dip in pursuit of fish. Others were thrilled to see groups of Lesser Whistling Teals well camouflaged in the lake vegetation and as easily making themselves visible with an audible whistling as they flapped around. Cotton Pygmy Goose and Garganeys too. The Darter or Snake Bird made a classic entry as it flew low and dipped gracefully. The little Cormorant did its bit of drying its water laden wings after a long dive for food.
A trail along lush green fields
Walking along a canal
Small pratincoles
Bronze winged jacana
Pond herons
Kingfisher
Other waders that could be spotted easily were the commonly seen Pond Herons, a Purple Heron, Cattle Egrets, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Bronze winged Jacana, Pheasant Tailed Jacana, Red Wattled Lapwing, Common Green Shank, Wood Sandpiper and Common Moorhen.
The highlight of the trip was the large flock of Small Pratincoles that sat on grassy mounds and pathways all along the green fields and a couple of Asian Openbill Storks that soared around us in a wonderful black and white display.
As small groups walked along trails across the agricultural patches some spotted Black Drongos, Small Blue Kingfisher, White Breasted Kingfisher, a pair of Eurasian Marsh Harriers, Ibises, Paddy Field Pipits, Common Stonechats, White rumped Munias and Wagtails while others discovered a large group of Purple Swamp hens in a low lying swamp.
After a rather long walk back all were treated to some delicious samosas and an exchange of pleasantries amongst new participants. It all ended well with a brief interactive session with Paresh Porob, Range Forest Officer, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, recently back from a training stint at the Wildlife Institute of India at Dehradhun.
Kudos to the young team from MITRA for having pulled off such an interesting Birding session at the Carambolim Lake.
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:::About the writer:::
Tallulah D'Silva, St. Inez, Panaji, Goa is an Architect, passionately designing and building eco-friendly structures. She also writes a regular column on Green Goa for a monthly magazine called Business Goa. Along with a friend she has founded Mission Green primarily taking up issues and creating awareness on sustainable living.
Tallulah is also a avid bird watcher and nature/wildlife enthusiast.
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