Blogs, photos and experience of our campers for the past fortnight

Fallowing are the Blogs, photos and experience of our campers for the past fortnight.

Anil Kulkarni & Team:- From 21st to 23rd Jan, 3 days.

Blog:-http://anilwrites.blogspot.com/2009/01/sharavathi-valley-trek.html
Photos:- http://picasaweb.google.com/anil77k/SharavathiValleyTrek#

Swaroop & Team:-

Blogs:-http://www.swaroopch.com/blog/water-sports-in-sharavathy-valley/
http://thoughts.vinayakhegde.com/2009/01/24/trekking-and-water-sports-in-sharavathy-valley-backwaters/


Photos:- http://www.flickr.com/photos/swaroop/sets/72157612696783655/
http://picasaweb.google.com/SahaiAbhi/SagarTrip#
http://picasaweb.google.com/vinayakh/SharavathyValleyTrip#


Few lines of experience at the camp by campers:-

Gentlemen

Here we go...

Thanks Abhi for the pics.

Sampath...Thanks for everything.

I am already looking forward to another adventure with you guys!!

Cheers...

Mihir Das

---------------------------------------

Some other salient notes:

* I was happy that we have such easy-going organizers. We were allowed
to do the water sports as much as we wanted and whichever we wanted.
That kind of flexibility is rare.
* Because there are a fixed number of people at any time, the
facilities are guaranteed as opposed to competing/waiting in queue for
most sports facilities in camps/lodges.
* The place, the people, everything, was memorable.

Special appreciation for Sampath and the whole organization for organizing this as well as doing it for the right reasons:

Regards,
Swaroop

------------------------------------

Hey this is Anil... The trip u organised for us was just too good. Thank you very much and also Narayana, Bhatru, Ashok, Ravi, GAngadhar... We had a blast there, The best so for for me and my frens. i dunno how the team made a difference to narayana and others...I thank them all for being so patient with us and humble... Bhattara adige matra super... i'l surely be coming again and again... Ravi told me abt new boats and stuff... inform me if thee are any additions...

Regards,

Anil Kulkarni

2 days Kayaking/Island camping/Trekking in Sharavathi Backwater on 17/18th

Hi All,

The Program:- We have 2 days Kayaking/Island camping/Trekking in Sharavathi Backwater on 17/18th Weekend of January.
These activities are not only for the fun, but they are also important life skill learning sessions. Here, You will learn to Paddle Coracle/Kayak, Swim with life jacket, Row the raft, pitching the tent and lighting camp fire.

Sharavathi Backwater:- Sharavathi backwater is about 60 KM in length and about 15 KM wide !!!!. It became backwater when dam was constructed at Linganamakki of sagara taluk in Shivamogga(Shimoga) district to the river Sharavathi. This backwater has created lots of islands, it is so great to explore all these, where thick vegetation still exist and lots of wild life in it including some rare birds.

Date:- 17/18-01-2009 weekend (2 Days)
Camp Site:- Sharavathi Backwater Near Sagara in Shimoga Dsitrict

Accomdation:- Dome tents on an ISLAND in the backwater.
Food:- Food is going to be Simple Vegetarian food and it will be freshly cooked food at the camp site.

Transport:- It is an option. u can travel on ur own (we will guide u how to reach there) or we can arrange transport

Itinerary of Camp activities in Sharavathi Backwater.

Day 1:-

• Arrive at Camp site. Freshen up and Have Breakfast
• Group Introductory session and initial briefing by the Camp leader
• Introducing everyone to water, and a small swimming/floating session.
• Transfer to Island in coracle.
• Long Swimming and floating session. Initiation to Coracle paddling.
• Have Lunch and rest for half an hour.
• Start the Islands exploration trail by Coracle.
• Return back to the camp site and have tea
• Have a camp fire and fun time at camp fire
• Have dinner and retire for the day
  

Day 2:-

Wake up early in the morning. Freshen up and have tea
A small swimming/floating session
Introduction to Raft Paddling

Introduction Kayaking and Individual Kayaking session.
Have lunch

• Trek from yalakanagadde to "Devara gudda" peak view point. Spend time on Backwater view point and climb down to Bus stand
• Travel back to Sagar and take Bus back to Bangalore
  
• End of session.

Photos of our Adventure Water sports and camping Faliclity in Sharavathi backwater
http://picasaweb.google.com/subbukl/61_kayaking_sharavathi_valley_nov08#

or
http://picasaweb.google.com/bkpurushotham/Sharavathi#
or

http://picasaweb.google.com/stanfrancis/VIRGINLANDONSHARAVATHYRIVER#

or

http://picasaweb.google.com/shashi.gadad/SharavathiValleyWaterSports#

or
http://picasaweb.google.com/punithaharsha/SharavathyTrek25Oct08#
or
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ganeshkudva1977/Sharavathi06Sep08#
or
http://picasaweb.google.com/naga.2005/KayakingCampingTreking#



Blogs on our new Adventure Water sports and camping Faliclity in Sharavathi backwater
http://sharavathi.blogspot.com/

http://vivek-nag.livejournal.com/4623.html

Please mail me to prapancha@gmail.com for any more info...

Should people be controlling habit or should habit be controlling the people?

What does enjoyment mean?
Here are few definitions..
1. (noun) enjoyment
the pleasure felt when having a good time

2. (noun) enjoyment, delectation
act of receiving pleasure from something

All of you might be wondering why is this guy writing definitions , there is a reason for it.

As many in this community know, I have been involved in nature activities like trekking/Camping/Water sports for the past several years,in the recent past we have formed a group called "The Sharavahi nature Trail...", which consists mainly local tribal people. This organization is a registered non-profit TRUST. The idea behind forming this kind of organization is to

• Provide rural employment and there by contributing to rural economy in a small way.
• Educate urban populace about nature conservation.
• Creating awareness of simple and natural lifestyle among urban populace.
• Work with forest department on the various conservation activities.
  

Above points are the few among many things planned by this organization for the good of our society. To take up all these activities and for the organization survival, as you all aware, resource mobilisation is very important. For this purpose we have started conducting variuos nature activities like Trekking, nature camping and Water sports etc., for the true nature lovers.

As a rule we want to stricly adhere to ecotourism criteria.

According to the definition and principles of ecotourism established by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990, ecotourism is "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990). Those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following ecotourism principles:

• Minimize impact
• Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
  
• Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
• Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
• Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate

Ideally, ecotourism should satisfy several criteria[2][3], such as:

• Conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity through ecosystem protection
• Promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity, by providing jobs to local populations
• Sharing of socio-economic benefits with local communities and indigenous peoples by having their informed consent and participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises
• tourism to unspoiled natural resources, with minimal impact on the environment being a primary concern.
• Minimization of tourism's own environmental impact
• Affordability and lack of waste in the form of luxury
• Local culture, flora and fauna being the main attractions

The concept of ecotourism is widely misunderstood and in practice is often used as a marketing tool to promote tourism, which is related to nature. This is an especially frequent malpractice in the realm of Jungle tourism. Critics claim that these greenwashing practices, carried out in the name of ecotourism, often consist of placing a hotel in a splendid landscape, to the detriment of the ecosystem. According to them, ecotourism must above all sensitize people to the beauty and the fragility of nature. They condemn some operators as greenwashing their operations: using the labels of "green" and "eco-friendly", while behaving in environmentally irresponsible ways.

We want to be different and we want to be very responsible. As one of the point in ecotourism says "minimize impact"....We want to minimise as much as we can as we can not claim zero impact on environment.

For this purpose we have some rules, which are not negotiable, like

• WE STRICTLY DO NOT ALLOW SMOKING ,DRINKING /CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AND CONSUMPTION OF NON-VEG FOOD.
• We follow the 'leave no trace' & 'zero impact camping' practice; do not litter on the trail, please carry back all the material garbage you generate on the program.ESPECIALLY PLASTIC WASTE SHOULD NOT BE THROWN AT ANY COST.
• The locals, animals, birds have the right of 'way' and 'say' in our programs. We wish to respect their dignity to the fullest extent possible.
• We discourage people shouting/screaming with loud noise as these things irritates calm nature locals.

But in recent past our organization have come across people who see these rules with great contempt. They pretend like adhering to these rules till they come for the program. Once they are in they start doing things in a cover...!!!.
It has been a painfull experience to us... especially Smoking is concerned.

Should people be controlling habits or should habits be controlling the people? I am confused.

What do you people say about this problem?

New Year Greetings

Dear all,
Year 2008 has been an Activity filled and very satisfying Year for “The Sharavathi Nature Trails…” . It was a proud moment for all of us, when our new Water sports/Camping Activity became operational. It was with your blessing and active support which made us realize this dream.
We anticipate your continued active support and blessings to improve the activities further. Our aim is to expand the direct rural employment further and there by contributing to rural household economy.
Our One more greatest achievement is that, we were able to convert small time timber smugglers in to force which is fighting against the tree cutters in the Sharavathi Backwaters by providing the alternate livelihood for them.
We promise to work for the over all rural development and nature conservation. Also to serve the true nature lovers with renewed vigor.

Here is our new year wish to all of you…..(pls click on image)

December 25th Long weekend Program

Likely Itinerary:-
Date:- 24-12-2008
* Deaprture from Bangalore by around 10:00 PM.

Date:- 25--12-208
* Reach Sagar by 6:00 AM in the morning.
* Catch a jeep or van to reach trek starting point and freshen up on the way in a stream.
* Reach Trek starting point and have Breakfast.
* Start the trek towards first veegi falls. Spend some time in falls
* Trek to second veegi falls. Play in the falls if interested.
* Have lunch and trek Trek up the valley and come to road.
* Travel to Backwater camp site and camp there.

for a part of this route photos and blog, Pls click on the link below
http://sharavathi.blogspot.com/2008/11/1-2nd-nov-2008-trek-report.html
 
Date:- 26-12-2008
* Wake up,Freshen up and Have Breakfast
* Group Introductory session and initial briefing by the Camp leader
* Introducing everyone to water, and a small swimming/floating session.
* Transfer to Island in coracle.
* Long Swimming and floating session. Initiation to Coracle paddling.
* Have Lunch and rest for half an hour.
* Start the Islands exploration trail by Coracle.
* Return back to the camp site and have tea
* Have a camp fire and fun time at camp fire
* Have dinner and retire for the day

Date:- 27-12-2008

* Wake up early in the morning. Freshen up and have tea
* A small swimming/floating session
* Introduction to Raft Paddling
* Introduction Kayaking and Individual Kayaking session.
* Have lunch
* Trek to "Devara gudda". Spend time on view point and climb down to Bus stand
* Travel back to Sagar and take Bus back to Bangalore
* End of session

6/7th Dec weekend Activity Report

Previous week we had couple of couples for the program. Also we had a great 2 year old baby participant :). It was a great moment for all of us the way that girl baby settled down at camp and was enjoying every bit of moments in nature. Very next week i was thinking of break as no groups had approached for the program. But Duttu coming to the camp was long overdue and he was particular on 6/7th Dec as he was free on that weekend only. I requested him to find the fellow campers...He started hunting. Even though many confirmed...last moment most of them pulled out with one or other excuses. But finally there were 3 campers left. Dattu asked me "is it ok for u" I said i am ok and we decided to take off.
I booked the Sleeper berths in Maharaja Travels to Sagar. All of us met up at Mejestic by around 10:30 and The Bus was ready. We stuffed all our luggage to our berths and got out of Bus for a chat as there was still time for departure. I met Dattu after many years..! so we chated for a while and it was time to leave. All of got in to Bus and slept off.
We reached Sagar by 7:30AM. We dont know the reason , but Bus was half an hour late. We went to KSRTC Bus stand to get freshen up as this place well maintained. After freshen up, we had Tea and some had The famous "Kahashaya", local Herbal drink in Bus stand canteen. Then we moved to Private Bus stand from where we supposed to catch a Local Bus to our base camp. The local Bus was on time and we got in to BUS. After we left Sagar, The road was narrow but it was going through a beautiful vegitation. About 45 mintutes of travel, we reached our Bus stop. We got out of Bus and trekked down for about 10 mins to our base camp.
By the time we reached base camp our cook Gangu had prepared "uppittu" and Khashaya. We had stomachfull breakfast and relaxed for a while. It was time to do some activity..! so we all fastened Life jacket and decided to take flunge. Rest of of the story is through visuals .....!

Photos courtesy:- Dattu
Welcome to Sharavathi Backwter...














It was time to Learn Coracle Paddling..















An Island opposite to our Camp Island














Sun Set time........ Sun Set Time.........














Lazy Morning.. Lazy Morning..














It was time for Kayaking.. Tried rowing the raft














Trekked up the hill to get Complete view of Sharavathi Backwtaer From















Complete Photo's of Dattus camera link
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/bsdatta/SagaraTreckPhotoes?locked=true&feat=email#



Few Words from Ccampers

Dear Sampath,

All those who have done this program with you will tell you same thing that it was fantastic.

But I want make a very different point here. Being a nature lover I definitely enjoyed the program. But being a responsible citizen, I appreciate more about your social entrepreneurship.

From quite some time I am hovering around this idea of community service and by looking at guys like you, I get a lot of positive energy. You have combined two very odd things innovatively to make a big impact on number of people. Combining this adventure sports with local employment, you have created a fantastic platform for people to enjoy and locals to earn.

When I discussed about your program with Vinod, I told him, that I want to do something like Sampath [even before we met]. I even told him that if his idea of entrepreneurship is good, I'll try to join him if he want to expand. I did not tell you this when we were together because I came only as observer this time. I am impressed by your passion for this work and I realized that I am not yet "that" passionate about something which will keep me driving for long time. I am still a learner.

Dattu, Sarvana, definitely it was the smallest group but not the slowest :)

I think we did pretty well with the stamina we have in Bangalore city.

If I can do mountain biking in ladakh and swimming/coracle for 2 days in Sharavati, I think we can do anything. Lets continue this spirit and do more adventure in life.

Sampath, I am again coming with you next time with more that 5 people with me and you have to take me for free :)

If you find any small role for me to contribute to your venture, don't hesitate to ask me. I'll try my best.

Cheers!!!!

Manoj

[Two of the best photos from my Mobile are attached. One is sunrise and another is Sunset]
----------------------------------------------

Hi Sampth,

After lot of jerks finally our camp happened ( smallest group of 3). First let me express my honest feedback.

IT WAS SOULFILLING. Great vast views of Sharavati river, swimming in 100ft without any fear, Different boatings , floating in water and feeling my own breath, sunrise , sunset, nice food, Campfire, beautiful backwater view from top of Devaragudda and last the best great group. Nothing more I should ask for. Thank you and all your team members for this.

Secondly, I saw how much prep you guys have to do for a camp. Bringing all boats, food , Its really lot of work. So Just for doing for three people, it is really not very encouraging. But you did it. I am really thankful to you and also very sorry. Please convey my thanks to Narayana , Ravindra and Ashok. I would like to come to this many times. Next time with family.

Thanks

Dattu

--------------------------------------------

Hi Sam,
Thanks for such a wonderful week end..
The pictures shows our happiness

Guys,
B in touch...we will meet soon in another trip :-)

Thanks,
Saravana

next Kayaking/Island camping/Trekking camp on 6/7th Dec

Hi All,
We have our next Kayaking/Island camping/Trekking camp on 6/7th Dec.

Here info on camping and water sports...

Sharavathi backwater:- Sharavathi backwater is about 60 KM in length and about 15 KM wide !!!!. It became backwater when dam was constructed at Linganamakki of sagara taluk in Shivamogga(Shimoga) district to the river Sharavathi. This backwater has created lots of islands, it is so great to explore all these, where thick vegetation still exist and lots of wild life in it including some rare birds.

Date:- 6/7-12-2008 weekend (2 Days)
Camp Site:- Sharavathi Backwater Near Sagara in Shimoga Dsitrict
Accomdation:- Dome tents on an ISLAND in the backwater.
Food:- Food is going to be Simple Vegetarian food and it will be freshly cooked food at the camp site.
Transport:- It is an option. u can travel on ur own (we will guide u how to reach there) or we can arrange transport

Itinerary of Camp activities in Sharavathi Backwater.

Day 1:-

* Arrive at Camp site. Freshen up and Have Breakfast
* Group Introductory session and initial briefing by the Camp leader
* Introducing everyone to water, and a small swimming/floating session.
* Transfer to Island in coracle.
* Long Swimming and floating session. Initiation to Coracle paddling.
* Have Lunch and rest for half an hour.
* Start the Islands exploration trail by Coracle.
* Return back to the camp site and have tea
* Have a camp fire and fun time at camp fire
* Have dinner and retire for the day

Day 2:-

* Wake up early in the morning. Freshen up and have tea
* A small swimming/floating session
* Introduction to Raft Paddling
* Introduction Kayaking and Individual Kayaking session.
* Have lunch
* Trek to "Devara gudda". Spend time on view point and climb down to Bus stand
* Travel back to Sagar and take Bus back to Bangalore
* End of session



Photos of our Adventure Water sports and camping Faliclity in Sharavathi backwater
http://picasaweb.google.com/stanfrancis/VIRGINLANDONSHARAVATHYRIVER#
or
http://picasaweb.google.com/shashi.gadad/SharavathiValleyWaterSports#
or
http://picasaweb.google.com/punithaharsha/SharavathyTrek25Oct08#
or
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ganeshkudva1977/Sharavathi06Sep08#



A Blog on our new Adventure Water sports and camping Faliclity in Sharavathi backwater
http://sharavathi.blogspot.com/2008/09/kayaking-camping-and-trekking-in.html
http://vivek-nag.livejournal.com/4623.html

Map of the camp site



Pls mail to prapancha@gmail.com for any more info...