[DKG]

Originally Posted by highwaylover

I believe this is the correct route. correct me if i am wrong.
paradise circle -> Tirumalgherry ->Hakimpet ->Thumukunta ->Shamirpet ->Aliabad -> Thurakapalli -> Vantimamadi -> Gundampalli ->Pregnapur -> Kuknurpalli -> Siddipet bypass -> Karimnagar -> Sultanabad -> peddapalli -> Ramagundem -> godavari khani -> NH 16 -> Mancherial

Yes this is the route we should take. From Wikimapia it appears we need to take a right turn for Godavari Khani after the NTPC Main Plant at Ramagundem and not head into town

[vamsi.kona]

Happy journey guys. See to it that you have more time to spend at Kuntala waterfalls. It would be good around this time as the water flow is not strong and one can go further. Also the trek to the base of the waterfalls may be slightly taxing for not so fit people.

Note: This place is more famous for mishaps as what seems to be normal may not be so. The stone beneath the water would be too slippery. So take care. I would advise carrying a good rope.

Also it would be better if you guys plan to have lunch near Dichpally, I don't think the food in Nirmal would be that great. I have been to Kuntala water falls may times along this route. (Dichpally is approximately 50-60 km from Nirmal if I recollect properlly, and you would find many dhaba's there.

Take care. Have fun.

[traveloholic]

5.5 hours to go! Its gonna be fun after that. Remember, we are meeting at 6:30 at Alankrita.

[hyd_traveller]

Originally Posted by traveloholic

5.5 hours to go! Its gonna be fun after that. Remember, we are meeting at 6:30 at Alankrita.

I just love the babyish excitement Nikhil demonstrates everytime he sees any plan about to get fructified.

If you are in the cellular range, Nikhil, update us as to who all finally made it and how is it going?

[highwaylover]

Attendance:
Highwaylover, blackmagic, milecruncher and family
Dkg and his mom
Nikil and his gang
Saleem n friends

Reached mancherial at 11. Checked into kinnera lodge, had lunch at ruchi and then drove to jannaram. We are waiting at the dfo office as I type this. Going into the forest in a few min

[traveloholic]

Just reached Mancherial. Back from Jananaram. It was fun. Loved the whole thing. Thanks Mr. Deepak for making this happen. Mr. Khalid & Mr. Farooq, you guys are a living wikipedia of information on Wildlife.

[traveloholic]

Hope everyone reached safe & sound.

Deepak, hope your jeep did not trouble you again?

[MileCruncher]

Just reached home after dropping Blackmagic and highwaylover. Hope everyone reached safe.

Thanks DKG for organising this wonderful camp. It was definitely an eye-opener about the present state of affair of our forest which definitely requires a lot of activism from us informed citizens.

Let us make this pilot project a success and replicable/scalable across various WLS/Reserve Forests across the state.

Cheers

[DKG]

Originally Posted by traveloholic

hope your jeep did not trouble you again?

The fuel pump is taking in air once it gets hot, so having figured that out I was able to comfortably drive back from Nirmal periodically wetting a cloth to keep it cool

Special thanks to Imran for helping out.

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

It was definitely an eye-opener about the present state of affair of our forest which definitely requires a lot of activism from us informed citizens.

After you guys headed back to Mancherial I spent a good hour or two chatting with the DFO and we discussed many issues. He seems to agree that water scarcity and fodder for preybase are primary concern areas.

I have suggested dykes on streams within the reserve. He agrees its a long term solution enabling sufficient harvesting of rainfall every year.

I recommended we do a dyke at the stream where the macchan is located. He agreed. It will cost us approximately Rs 50000 to have it done.

I will head back there sometime in May because I am serious about establishing wildlife sighting ecotourism. Once wildlife sighting is an organised affair then we need to promote the place.

I requested him to develop accommodation along the lines of what's there in Mannanur. They seem to have a funds crunch.

Loads to be done.

Hope all had a great time. I am in love with that jungle. Its a perfect tiger home

[saleem_k]

We reached home by 8 after dropping Randeep and Priya. This is the first time all 4 of us visited this part of our state and yes it was an eye-opener as well as a revelation for us about the forests in this part of the state and their state. Lack of water and water sources is a big issue and I believe scanty rainfall in this part of the state have made the matters worse. Didn't look like any serious effort is being made by the forest dept. to ensure welfare and survival of whatever animals present in the jungle.

It was wonderful being part of this trip. This was my first team-bhp meet and it was lovely.

Attached map of the route we took.

Mr. Khalid & Mr. Farooq, you guys are a living wikipedia of information on Wildlife. - Completely agree with this statement.



Cheers,

Saleem.

[highwaylover]

reached home at 6.
First of all a big thanks to DKG for organizing this trip on such a short notice.
A big thanks to MileCruncher's Bolero for making its own roads through the jungle.
And ya, thanks for MileCruncher and BlackMagic for taking me through a crash course on everything automobile. I have gathered so much information from your conversations, i am still digesting it.

Coming back to the Trip, it was an excellent trip even though we did not see any four legged creature in the jungle except the grazing cows. After all, our aim was to find out the true state of affairs in the forest. As DKG said, there is loads to be done and it has to come from the enthusiastic citizens. And i am pledging my support in which ever way i can help.

See you guys in NSTR

[DKG]

Originally Posted by saleem_k

it was an eye-opener as well as a revelation for us about the forests in this part of the state and their state. Lack of water and water sources is a big issue and I believe scanty rainfall in this part of the state have made the matters worse.

Originally Posted by highwaylover

our aim was to find out the true state of affairs in the forest. As DKG said, there is loads to be done and it has to come from the enthusiastic citizens. And i am pledging my support in which ever way i can help.

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

It was definitely an eye-opener about the present state of affair of our forest which definitely requires a lot of activism from us informed citizens.

Let us make this pilot project a success and replicable/scalable across various WLS/Reserve Forests across the state.

Am glad all of you enjoyed this trip. I always felt that when a well educated, well travelled, well exposed group of individuals who are genuinely caring, visits a reserve forest, this the reaction you get.

All of you reinforce one's basic faith in the natural goodness of people.

As all of us saw that forest still remains the ideal home for wildlife. With a little help from man the forest and wildlife will thrive

Here's a list of things people can do to revitalise the conservation of these spectacular forests and wildlife

1. Taking more people to such reserves to help create greater awareness. Mobilise public support for the need to save our forests and wildlife

2. Volunteer your time and presence/efforts for field work

3. Raise funds for projects to be implented in conjunction with the forest department. Corporates are ideal partners for such activities as part of their social responsibility policy

4. Lobby with Ministers/MP's/MLA's, government officials, influential people, celebrities to give a boost to forest and wildlife conservation

[traveloholic]

A further decline in the Tiger Population

Two tiger cubs were on Sunday found dead under mysterious circumstances in the Ranthambhore National Park (RNP) in Rajasthan's Sawaimadhopur district, 175 km from here, a top wildlife official said.

"Carcasses of two male cubs were spotted near Taleda village located in the North of RNP along with two carcasses of goats," R N Mehrotra, the state chief wildlife warden, said.

Read More:
Two tiger cubs found dead in Ranthambhore National Park - Flora & Fauna - Environment - Home - The Times of India

http://www.samaylive.com/news/two-ti...re/676540.html

[fazalaliadil]

Friends,

Unfortunately, I missed out the wonderful time you all experienced, equally important being there with you all. The spirit of doing all we can for the forest and wildlife, this initiative started by Deepak has a long way to go,
I am positive that with dedication we can do muuch and definitely make a difference.

The field report... now you do not need to hear from others, as you have been there in the field and experienced everything firsthand. It is time for you to give others a field report and spread the awareness about the state of despair our forest and its wildlife are in, like Deepak rightly stated.. Friends, Relatives, Politicians, Celebrities... or people you have just met who were never into conservation can and may be the most valuable asset tomorrow.

The move in the right direction has taken place, THE GREATEST JOURNEYS BEGAN WITH A FIRST STEP. You have taken yours!

Dedication and faith is the key to success in this endeavor we have undertaken and it is a long, hard road ahead. We owe it to our forests, wildlife and our future generations.

Regards,

[traveloholic]

This trip to the Forest was a true eye opener inteslf.

This is what we see/are shown, when we look at the pictures of the forest in Magazines/Online/Websites


Where as the reality was evidently visible during the recent trip to the forest.


It was an eye opener in itself, looking at the plight of the forest and its natural resources, we can easily makeout what is going haywire and what we are about to lose sooner or later.

Deepak has truly taken pains to make sure that this trip sees the light of the day. Even as a last minute change, Deepak made sure that we get on with the things as planned. Kudos to Deepak for sure.

Have to say "Deepak's mom was simply WOW!!!". Her enthusiasm and her zeal is impeccable and worth the mention. She has one of the best timings and sense of humour. Her anecdotes/comments are surely to make you laugh and every moment, I was around. I enjoyed hearing her pull a leg or two of others and enjoying the situation. HATTS OFF!!!



Mr. Farooq & Mr. Khalid, the time we have spent in their Qualis was worthwhile, where in they were always ready to answer all our queries and explain the basic behaviour of a wild animal. They are a whole repository of information and we wished we had more time on hand to discuss and learn new things from them.

We had a small stopover at one of the water holes, expecting to see atleast something or atleast a pug mark near the water holes. We did not get to see any there. Mr. Khalid & Mr. Farooq were all geared up for the night safari and had a good light handy.



Day 2: A Promising Water Hole
The next day turned out very good for myself & Abhijeet as we had Linganna, the forest guard assisting us, when we ventured into the forest.

As a group we all headed towards one of the water holes in the forest. As we were in a Mid-Size Segment Car, SANTRO, we had to leave it enroute and walk to the water hole, as we were aware that noway in this world would it be able to go through the jugnle roads. Saleem also parked his car and we set off on foot to the water hole.

In the meantime, others carried on with their journey to the water hole in their rides. Halfway through we meet Linganna, who was waiting for us as others headed towards the water hole.



By the time we could reach the water hole, everyone were planning to leave for the next water hole. As everyone headed back to the next water hole, we went around the water hole with Linganna at our disposal.

Linganna was more than happy and enthusiastically helping us distinguish the pug marks/hoof marks left on the marshy land around the water hole.



As we were strolling around the water hole, Linganna explained us about each animal and their eating habits/habitatual preferences/other miniscule details, which we would harldy know/read about online.

We never wanted to leave from this water hole as it had to offer more than we could capture. The discussions continued even as we were walking back to the place where we parked the car, to head on to the next location.

Next time I am there, I am taking a diary and a pen for sure. To take down notes and description of the Pug Marks/Hoof Marks we see there.

Would love to spread the knowledge towards conservation of Forest and its Wildlife.

Shall keep posting the pictures and more intrinsic details as and when time permits.