As planned this year award function for 10th April 2012 went on very well. It was simple one compared the previous one. But this time awardees selected were exemplary. Mr.Ramesh Putnalli , Range Forest Officer, Sharavathi wildlife sanctuary was the chief guest and Mr.Chidambar Hedge, a known physiotherapist was guest of honor. As announced earlier, PARISARA SRI award was presented to Mr. Ameen Saab Nadaaf, a forest guard at Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary. The award presented to Mr.Nadaaf by RFO. His achievements were read out by Ms.Kritika. Then SAMAJA SRI Award presented to Mr.Purushotham by Guest of honor Mr.Chidambar Hegde. His achievements were read out by Ms.Kritika. While speaking on the occasion Mr.Ramesh Putnalli stressed the need for active participation of people in conserving the forest, Mr. Hegde asked people to work unitedly for betterment of rural life. While accepting the SAMAJA SRI award Mr. Purushotham thanked the The Sharavathi Nature Conservation Trust(R) for recognizing the people who dont make noice but silently work for the society, Mr.Nadaaf stressed the need of holistic approach to save the forest. Trust Vice Precident Mr. Ranganath Hegde gave vote of thanks. It was another memorable day for all of us to award the best people. Lot trekking friends had sent the best wishes to the awardees and they have been conveyed to them, thank u all for the gesture.
As part of our organization "The Sharavathi Nature conservation Trust (R)" initiative to take up various nature conservation, we have setup an annual award called "PARISARA SRI". We are going to present this award every year to the genuine people particularly forest officials who are working for nature conservation and people who are saving prestine forest. The aim this award is to encourage and motivate the people to take up the consevration with more vigor. This year is going to be 4th year in row. From last 2 years we also added a award called "SAMAJA SRI" award for the genuine people who are serving the society selflessly.
This year we have chosenMr. Ameen saab nadaaf for "PARISARA SRI" Award. Mr.Nadaaf has been working as forest guard at Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. He was instrumental in catching a organized wildlife poachers in the sanctuary. In the fight against these anti social elements, he was seriously injured and lost his hand. We are very proud to present this year award to Mr.Nadaaf who has worked hard to protect precious flora and fauna in the sanctuary. we wish him a great success in his endeavor to protect the pristine forest and wildlife.
Also this we are presenting "SAMAJA SRI" Award to Mr.M.G.Purushotham for philanthropic activities in the field of live stock protection and also genuine social service activities in and around Sagar Taluk. The above awards carries cash award and also a memento.
We are presenting the above awards to these deserving awardees on April 10th 2012 Tuesday by 4:00 PM at Gubbagodu, Sagar taluk and Shimoga district.
We, the trustees of The Sharavathi Conservation Trust(R) and Staff of The Sharavathi Nature Trails.. cordially invite everyone in our trekking community for the award function. Please grace the occasion and encourage the awardees to take up the cause with more vigor.
This weekend, ie., on 18/19th Feb 2012, a group of trekkers will be trekking in brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary. If you are intwrsted join the group, there is availability as of now. Here i am sending the itinerary and also a link which has photos and other info for the program. Please go through and let me know If you wish to join the group asap.
Trek to newly explored water falls in Bisile forest
The Trail:- We explored few very beautiful unexplored water falls In bisile forest recently. This weekend ie.,28/29th of Jan 2012 we are trekking to these falls. This is the first time we are attempting to trek after exploring these water falls. These falls are located on streams which are tributaries of Kumaradhara river.
Here is the tentative itinerary for the trek.
On 27th Dec 2012 Departure from Bangalore by around 11:30 PM and reach Sakaleshpur by early morning. Hire a vechicle to reach trek starting point.
Day1:
Reach the trek starting point and have breakfast.
Trek to 1st water falls, enjoy and trek to 2nd falls.
Play in the falls and have lunch.
trek to night halt place and stay there.
Day2:-
Wake up and freshen up. Have breakfast.
trek to 3rd water falls.
play in the falls and have lunch
trek back to road and catch a vechicle and start back.
Trekking, Cave exploration and River rafting on 30/31st July 2011
Synopsis of the Program.....
The Trek:- Monsoon at its best and its raining everywhere. Its amazing experience to be in western ghats specially now. With the short travel from Bangalore (about 5 hrs ) journey, there is a beautiful cave hill on the coorg-sakaleshpur border in the Bisile ghat range. Specialty of this hillock is there are couple of amazing lakes, a cave and about half kilometer rock formation. There are couple of grass lands which are amazing to see in this season there.
The Rafting:- The most enjoyable water sports is white water rafting. Our own western ghat gives so many options for rafting. One among them is cauvery river in Dubare elephant camp. The 7 KM raft ride is amazing in this season as cauvery river is brimming with beauty. You pass through thick forests and scenic surroundings negotiating mostly the calm rapids. River rafting here allows you to rejuvenate yourself and enjoy the flow of the river. River rafting here is safe and it’s usually a smooth stretch.
The visit:- Dubare is a picturesque forest area famous for its elephant training camp. It is located on the banks of the river Cauvery in between Siddapur and Kushalnagar. During the reign of erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore, this place was used to train elephants for the Mysore Dussehra festival.An elephant training camp of the Forest Department of Coorg is located here. Local tribe, Kurba, dwell in Dubare. Here, you can observe and learn a great deal about the elephants
Stay:- Stay will be in a local house near Somvarpet.
Food:- Will be simple freshly cooked food.
Probable itinerary of the program.
Day1:-
Reach Trek Starting point and freshen up in the stream.
Have Breakfast and start the trek towards hill top.
Enjoy the beautiful lakes view and play in a small water falls.
Have lunch and rest for a while.
Trek up to the top of the hill and explore the cave. U get 360 degree view of the western ghat from this point.
start trek down to the foot hills and travel to the the night camp.
Reach the camp, Have camp fire and dinner.
For the trek route blog and photos please refer the fallowing link.
Month of September was hectic for us, so could not think of announcing any trek. Many were asking for the trek trip after our first successful trip in august. So we are planning this "Bit of Trek, Bit of Cave Exploration, Bit of Wild life " program again this weekend (9/10th October 2010) with little change in the program. The stay will b inside wildlife sanctuary with tents.
Synopsis of the Bits..... Bit of Trek:-This is trek up to a hill lock. this hill lock is near Sakaleshpur Bisile ghat. This trek will b around 5KM one way. Its easy trek. On the trek route we come across 2 beautiful lakes on top of the hill and also a small water fall. Bit of Cave Exploration:- On top of the hill there is a huge and beautiful stone formation. In this stone formation there is a cave. Bit of Wild life:- We will b going for early morning safari in Nagarahole wild life sanctuary.
Stay:- Stay in the jungle by pitching tent.
Probable itinerary of the program.
Day1:-
Reach Trek Starting point and freshen up in the stream.
Have Breakfast and start the trek towards hill top.
Enjoy the beautiful lakes view and play in a small water falls.
Have lunch and rest for a while.
Trek up to the top of the hill and explore the cave. U get 360 degree view of the western ghat from this point.
start trek down to the foot hills and travel to the camp near Nagarhole national park.
Reach the camp, Have camp fire and dinner.
Day2:-
Wake up by 4AM. Freshen up and have tea and leave for Wild life Safari.
Roam around in the park travel back to the camp and have breakfast.
Visit Irupu falls,play in the water and have lunch.
Start travel back and reach Bangalore by around 10PM.
For the trek route blog and photos please refer the fallowing link.
Please mail me (prapancha@gmail.com) if anymore info u require. Let me know ASAP if u r joining us.
Some pics of these Bits....:-
Beautiful lake on top of the hill (i call it 'Spatika sarovara')
Beautiful falls on the hill top
Cave on top of the hill
Monday, August 30, 2010
Dear All, I had mentioned in my earlier mail about trek to Bheemeswara and dabbe falls coming weekend(4/5th sept). But this weekend i was in valley and i have come across 2 new beautiful water falls. So the itinerary will change. Here is the itinerary and other details about the trek.
Trek Route:-Hogekeri---->Vaddimakki water falls---> Megur(Halt)--->Doddabyana water falls--->Bheeswara water falls. The Sharavathi Valley:- The Sharavathi river valley nestled in the central Western Ghats, Shimoga district has been an ecological paradise. The Sharavathi River, rising at Ambuthirtha in Thirthahalli taluk flows north-west and drops down in the Ghats at the world famous Jog falls. The sharavathi Valley is home for many water falls and to some of the beautiful streams. The valley is evergreen to semi-evergreen forest along with moist deciduous type of forests dominate the entire basin along with scrub savannah, grasslands, marshy areas and plantation of acacia, cash crops like areca and rubber providing diverse niches for a variety of taxa. Rare evergreen species such as Dipterocarpus, Syzygium, Cinnamon, Diospyros, Aglaia, endemic Palms along with the globally endangered Myrist-icasps makes this an ecologically sensitive region to be conserved and not marketed. Likely Itinerary for the 2 days trek
Departure:- on 3rd sept 2010 by KSRTC Rajahamsa busto Kargal. From there hire jeep to reachhogekeri.
Date:- 04-09-2010
* Reach Hogekeri , the Trek start point. * Freshen Up in the stream, Have Break fast. * Reach vaddimakki water falls and Have lunch. * Start the Trek towards Megur camp in a tribals house. * Have a Camp fire and enjoy the evening(Depends on rain situation). Also interact with Tribals. * Have dinner and retire for the day
Date:-05-09-2010
* Wake up by 6:00 AM and get freshen up quickly. * Have Breakfast and start the trek to Doddabyana water falls . * Trek to Bheeswara water falls and if possible Enjoy in the Water fall (depends on the water level. * Have lunch and Trek to the road. * Catch the vehicle and travel back to kargal and then to sagar. * travel back to bangalore.
Many of my trekkers after exploring Sharavathi valley trek routes, used to ask me if i have trek/camps and other programs in other parts of western ghats. As it used to be busy weekends in our camp, i had not thought of anything for a while. But i had some free weekends in august as there was less water sports activity. We planned to explore some new routes and we planned to combine various activity to make it more diverse activity program. Accordingly, we explored a 1 day trek route near sakaleshpur and combined it with wild life safari in Nagarhole sanctuary, rappelling and playing in a lake with life jacket. We announced this activity in the group for the weekend of 21/22nd of august. Though the initial response was less we could get about about 10 trekkers for the program finally. We hired a Tempo traveller. We planned to leave on Saturday early morning. As planned we started off at 4 am in the morning. But by the time we pickup everyone and leave Bangalore it was 6:45am. I was thinking it will b too late, but cab driver was just excellent and we were in channarayapattana by 9 am. We had quick breakfast and started off journey. We reached trek starting point by 11am and started off the trek. It was pleasant weather with now and then drizzling and mostly cloudy. Initially it was all over lush green coffee plantation. Then it was great evergreen forest cover. We were engaged in lot of talks while trekking and suddenly our fellow trekker kinjal pointed to a lake which was hiding under the thick forest cover. It was just an amazing view from the top. Though it was small the vegetation cover around the lake had given so much beauty to the lake. Trekkers took some nice shots of the place and moved on. After this point the talks got less and everyone was enjoying the natures wonderful creation. Few had gone ahead and had stopped on a small rock formation. This rock formation has been destroyed for granite quarrying. In the same place we had held a massive protest rally against this in the year 2006. Luckily it is now stopped though the damage is visible. It was a breath taking view from this point. There were small grass patches (locally called ByaNa) which were so green with budding grass. It was a treat for eyes. After a small stop over we moved further. We came across a small stream where we tanked up some mineral water. After some trek we came to a junction where we had to deviate to the peak where caves are there. But our lunch was getting ready down near another lake. We had to decide which is first. According to majority we decided to have lunch and moved towards lake, where our chief cook Dharmanna was preparing delicious lunch. Some got down to see a small water fall near the lake , others rested on the lake bed. It was an amazing place to be. The lake bed was looking like natural gulf course. Lunch was ready to b served. We just collected some plantain leaf to have the lunch which gave extra flavor to the delicious lunch. Dharmanna had prepared rice, eere kaayi sambaar, papad and pickle. It was just amazing to eat such a tasty food in such an amazing place. After the lunch we wasted no time and trekked towards peak. It started raining heavily.This peak gets covered with fog in almost all seasons. Its an amazing peak with 360 degree view of the western ghat. In this peak there is a rock formation which is almost 500 mts in length and about 100 ft depth. And this rock formation looks like curved stones and it has flat surface which is idea for claiming and rappelling . In the same rock formation there is a cave. We got in to the cave. Getting in to the cave is difficult as it as very small entrance. so once is pot bellied then its truly difficult ;). After the cave exploration we started going down the peak. It was raining heavily still. We reached the foothill of the peak , where our cab was waiting for us. It was truly awesome trek though it was short trek. We came across string of small lakes which are treat to nature lovers eyes. We got in to cab and drove towards Nagarahole. It was drizzling still. We drove through somvarpet , kushalnagar and hunsur. we reached camp leopard rock, where we supposed to stay by 10:30PM. Dinner was ready by then. As everyone were tired and sleepy just stuffed some food and slept off. Sharp 5 AM, Our instructor woke us up and asked us to get ready quickly to go for wild life safari. We had tea and left for the nagarahole sanctuary. After entering the gate we were observing both sides keenly for any movement of animals. After some distance , we came across spotted deer, which are very common. Then we came across wild boar. We reached nagarhole sanctuary office, where we opted to go on safari in to the sanctuary by department bus. We could not any special animals, we came across only deers and langur. All of us were really hungry , so planned move out of the sanctuary and reached the rappelling spot near the camp. By then our cook dharmanna had prepared nice "malnad akki rotti" and avalakki. we wasted no time filled up our stomach. It was nice breakfast. Our instructor Ram was readying the rappelling kit and by then we rested for a while. First Ram gave us demo and then asked all of us to go to the top of the rock one by one. First it was santhosh. He was daring, we were amazed to see his enthu. then all of us had a great experience. After the rappelling event, we traveled back to camp and rested for a while. Then we went to near by lake with life jacket and swam for a while. Then came a raft. we had bit of still water rafting. Came back to the camp and dressed up and assembled at the dining hall for the lunch. Dharmanna had prepared delicious bisi bele baath and curdrice with hesaru bele payasa. Had stomach full lunch. It was superb lunch. Then we had a final group photo session and said good bye to the camp and traveled towards Bangalore. Reached bangaore by 10:30pm. It was a great trek-trip with various adventure activities. I must say group was just great. An another awesome weekend we had in the ghat. And readying for another weekend camp and leaving tonight!!.
NOTE:- Our next trek is on 4/5th Spet 2010, which is next weekend. The route will b Bheemswara falls-->Dabbe falls. Bheemeswara is heaven on earth in the monsoon season. Please check the fallowing link for more info on this route:- http://sharavathi.blogspot.com/2008/07/mungaaru-maleye-yenu-ninna-hanigala.html . Please mail me ASAP if u r joining us.
As planned this year award function for 10th April 2012 went on very well. It was simple one compared the previous one. But this time awardees selected were exemplary. Mr.Ramesh Putnalli , Range Forest Officer, Sharavathi wildlife sanctuary was the chief guest and Mr.Chidambar Hedge, a known physiotherapist was guest of honor. As announced earlier, PARISARA SRI award was presented to Mr. Ameen Saab Nadaaf, a forest guard at Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary. The award presented to Mr.Nadaaf by RFO. His achievements were read out by Ms.Kritika. Then SAMAJA SRI Award presented to Mr.Purushotham by Guest of honor Mr.Chidambar Hegde. His achievements were read out by Ms.Kritika. While speaking on the occasion Mr.Ramesh Putnalli stressed the need for active participation of people in conserving the forest, Mr. Hegde asked people to work unitedly for betterment of rural life. While accepting the SAMAJA SRI award Mr. Purushotham thanked the The Sharavathi Nature Conservation Trust(R)
for recognizing the people who dont make noice but silently work for the society, Mr.Nadaaf stressed the need of holistic approach to save the forest. Trust Vice Precident Mr. Ranganath Hegde gave vote of thanks. It was another memorable day for all of us to award the best people. Lot trekking friends had sent the best wishes to the awardees and they have been conveyed to them, thank u all for the gesture.
