A Meaningful Nature Camp Program

Conservation of endangered plants.

In the beginning I started the trek in the wild just to be in the greenery as a true nature lover. But two incidents while i was on trek made a deep impact on me to think behind just enjoying the greenery.
Once when i was trekking in our Sharavathi valley, a fellow trekker got hurt by a thorn and blood was oozing out. Immediately my local guide went around in the forest and within few minutes he was back with few leaves in his hands. He squeezed those leaves and applied the juice on the wound. It was amazing to see speed at which blood stopped oozing out!. In another incident, while i was trekking along with the stream of Belligundi a pleasant aroma surrounded us. Out of curiosity, i asked my guide about the source of this aroma. Then he searched and there he could find "naga sampige flower" blooming. It was divine experience to see on my own eye!. Because these flowers i had only read it in some scriptures.
The above incident made me think of doing something to conserve these plants, so that they dont get extinct with depleting forest. I started thinking the way to conserve these plants. Then i came across this committed and dynamic Range forest officer of Sagara town. When i discussed this idea, he was very happy to help me out. We identified the "moolike vana (medicinal plants garden)" in sharavathi valley which is maintained by forest department. Then we devised a model to take up this conservation work. What we planned is involve local tribals in this process, so that there is a sense of responsibility for them and also we planned to pay some nominal amount per rare plant which they collect it from forest. This model has been working great from last 2 years. Last year we had collected about 100 species of tribal medicinal plants. This year we collected mix of about 100 species of 150 medicinal and other rare plants.

Nature camp for the students of BNMIT institution of Bangalore.
I was thinking of inviting some dignitaries to grace the occasion planting these sapling. By then Prof. Shesh prasad of BNM Institution Eco club contacted me to host the nature awareness camp for their students at our camp. After working out the itinerary, i just requested the Prof, whether we can involve the students to plant this saplings. Prof was very happy and readily agreed for this noble event. Accordingly we planned this planting event after the nature awareness camp. This time we had Mr.Devendrappa who is award winning Organic farmer. He is master of many subjects. He is a Income tax practitioner by profession but his interest drew him to the organic farming. He is also well read person and philosopher. On the night of Day1, We had lecture on Simple and natural living by him. He quoted many scripture and gave a meaningful lecture. For about 2 and half hour, it was introspective and inspiring talk by him. It was more of interactive session around camp fire. Everyone enjoyed it thoroughly. On Day2 students enjoyed the water sports activities till afternoon. Then they had the lunch and rested for a while. Later students said goodbye to the island and traveled to "Moolike vana". Moolike vana" is about 2 KM from our camp place. Plants were kept ready in moolike vana itself and pits were also dug up earlier by our people. Students were asked to pick up the plants and move near pit allotted to them. Then demo was given by naturalist Harsha on how to plant the sapling. Accordingly everyone planted the saplings. After planting all of us traveled to the community hall in gubbagodu and stayed there over night. Prof Shesh prasad himself a famous singer, he is live on many TV programs. So villagers requested him to perform music. Its so wonderful to listen to his "dasara pada". He has amazing voice. Till 10:30 we had this music program and then we had dinner. Next day students went on trekking to Belligundi and Goodanagundi water falls.
It was very meaningful nature awareness camp. We are planning to host many more camps of these type for the benefit of students groups.

Please check the link for the photos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/prapancha/BNMITJuly2010#

Monsoon Trek this weekend-3/4th July

Monsoon, the word has something to cheer for everyone. Like monsoon brings joy to share market investors !! as markets pickup with good capital inflow, brings joy to the governments as it gives much needed relief from power woes, farmers are glad so they can take up farming in full vigor etc., But for we nature lovers, eye sight of the nature brings so much pleasure!. Specially western ghats, which are natures ultimate gift we trekkers and nature lovers.

Last year monsoon was delayed for almost a month and it was disappointing. But this time its normal and its raining in the valley. As it is raining heavily, all streams are full so the water falls !. When it rains , Sharavathi valley becomes like a bride draped in green saree and wearing jasmine flower on her pony tail !. Here green saree is the lush green grass and the jasmine flower is the cloud !!.

The landscape around kattinakar is so awesome to see as there are beautiful grass land and cloud kissing mountains around this place during the monsoon. This place is the main point for our all treks. The seen in the monsoon in this area is really treat to all nature lovers eyes.

Till now we were so busy with the camping and water sports in the backwater. Now we are planing to organize few treks to all our trekkers so that they can enjoy the beauty of the valley in the rains.



For a write up and photos of the route, please check the link below.
http://sharavathi.blogspot.com/2009/06/monsoon-raga-june-2021st-monsoon-trek.html

A Dream Trek after long time....

A Dream Trek after long time....

Usually people enjoy the trek in many of their own way, like some people enjoy climbing to the peaks, some people enjoy trekking on snow clad mountains etc., but I enjoy walking along with the streams and watching water falls in evergreen forests a lot. So in every trek route of ours, we include at least 1 water falls. So far we have had at least 2 water falls in all our trek routes.
It has been our endeavor to keep exploring new water falls in the western ghat and take the true nature lovers to these serene water falls and make them enjoy. As part of this. this year i had requested our trek guides there to search for new water falls. About 2 weeks back, finally our guides found out about new water falls and informed me about the same. Usually i go and align the trek trails always when we make new trek trails. This time i decide to trek on 17/18th April 2010 weekend and align the trail. Initially i thought i will go alone with my guides, but i decided against it and decide to have few of my old trek pals. Accordingly, i fired a mail to some , whom i could remember. response was not that great but few replied and i too wanted very few for the exploration trek. But finally whoever had confirmed they also started having some or other personnel issues. so i was forced to fire mail in google group. But that could bring only one addition. Whatever, we had decided and finally we were five of us. Me, Ananth, Mahesh, Samit and siddarth were in the group. we booked the bus ticket in Linganamakki Bus. On 16th friday night we met up at mejestic and got in to bus. After intial hand shake and introduction we all fell asleep. Bus was punctual and reached the Kargal in time. By then jeep was also ready to pick us up and drop to trek starting point as we had informed earlier. It was pleasant morning. We reached kallugodlu after an hour jeep journey. Kallugodlu was our trek starting point. Dharma, our cook, had gone there on previous day itself and had camped there in a tribals house. We reached the house and dhrama invited us with the same smile. We had a quick freshen up session. After that it was time for hogging :p. Dharma had prepared nice masala "Idli , sambar, chatni". It was awesome taste as usual. We were hogging like anything but, there was a newbie in our team. He is siddarth. After having 2 idlis , he was getting ready to wash his hands!! then we explained about whats in store for rest of the day and adviced him to do what we were doing !. He reluctantly fallowed our advice and he came to know the importance of the advice after we returned from trek!. After the breakfast, as usual there was a tea and Khshaya. Mahesh started coursing me for the heavy food as he wanted to reduce some weight by trekking :p. this curse he continued for all 2 days !. After nice breakfast we wasted no time and started off the trek. Our guides yoga and dharma lead us and i was in the back. After a km of flat walk we started off descent to the stream. The trail had a loose sail and slope was too steep. Everyone had a great deal of fall and moved on by hanging on to the shrubs. Finally we got in to the stream.
It was a very pleasant feeling as there was cool breeze. All of us had stomach full of water, some drank like cow, tiger etc :p. Rested for a while and then stated off towards our destination in the stream. After Trekking in stream for a while, our navigator diverted us out of the stream and we had to claimb up. Again the trail was full of loose soil , so it was really tough patch. after just 10 mins of claimb all of us collapsed on a flat land !. After this pit stop we never stopped. The trails was full thorny bush. Everyone were bruised with the daggers like thorns. Now the next and important strech of trail. we had to go down the valley to reach the falls. This is what the most important aspect of the whole trek. The trail was almost like Trail of DABBE falls. But in Dabbe trail there were bushes, routes, creepers to hold on...But here there was abs no such facility !. Added to the misery, the soils was so loose and small stone slabs were hidden in the loose soil. One foot u keep, we used to go down about 4 to 5 feet down !! If there was little mistake by us, we would have fallen on rocks which were about 200ft down the gorge !. Finally with all the pain and fun we got down the valley and we were greeted by an amazing, awesome sight! There the majestic "Thumbe" Water falls!. It was amazing.....just awesome. I had experienced this pleasure when i had visited the Dabbe falls in way back in 1998. After that this is was the first time i was seeing such a place. It was worth taking all the risks and pain.
Water fall is almost 200 ft deep. But what makes this so great is it falls in a completely rock covered narrow gorge. This makes falls so elegant. It was a rare treat for eyes and soul. The weather was was bit cloudy but it was so humid. So all of us just stripped and jumped in to the pool formed by falls. Samit swam till the falls edge, which was about 100ft from the shore. But others did not dare to swim till there as the pool is supposed to b very deep. Meanwhile dharma (our cook) started off lunch preparation. We played in the water for almost an hour. By then we were hungry to the core. But we were not ready to leave the pool !. Dharma gave a final call! "saar ooTa Ready !". Dharma had prepared the mouth watering drumstick "Sambaar". Menu was rice, sambaar, pickle and papad!. We hogged like anything. After nice lunch some napped, some had a photo shoot session. We spent about an hour more and then decided to trek back. Coming up the valley was equally tough as the loose soil used to drag us down many times. We wanted to see the falls from top tip of the falls, so we trek down to the stream again. We went near the tip of the falls and had a photo shoot. It was an amazing gorge view. Started off the trek back along with the stream. On the way back we came across lots off falls. Mahesh decided to take dip in every falls and pool he finds on the way !!. The Stream was so beautiful. It had many hidden falls. Dharma quit us and rushed back home to prepare food for us. In the last falls, samit and mahesh took dip again in the falls. We trekked back to the tribals house. As it was humid, we were sweating again. So decide to take a final dip of the day. We rushed to the stream near the house. we played in the water for almost 30 mins and came back. By then dharma had prepared nice "Mirchi bajji , Tea and Khshaya". Bajji was superb. Dharma has become finest chef of late!. After the high tea, we had great deal of debate over many (unwanted) debates on politics etc., Later we had a call from dharma for dinner. Menu was chapathi, palya, pulav and payasa. We hogged again as the food was superb. then we wasted no time and we slept off in the open to sky platform (KaNa) in front of the house.
Woke up for a refreshing morning after a nice sleep. Bed tea was ready by then had tea, freshened up quickly and got ready. After a while breakfast was ready. It was authentic Malnad "Akki rotti and brinjal chutney". It was awesome. I stuffed in 4 rottis, so others !!. We had another round of tea and kashaya. This time kashaya was prepared with "Joni bella (Liquid joggery)". It was just superb, we drank like drinking fruit juice !!. we wasted no time and stared off trek to BR falls. It was humid again but it was cloudy. We trekked in jeep track for a while and then got in to the thick vegetation. it was again descanting in a loose soil trail to the valley. After some time we got in to the stream. The stream was just superb. The nature at was its best. We trekked along with the stream. On the way we found one water falls, it was a too scenic. I called it "Sharada Pheeta" !!!. Coz the scene was like the one we see in the portrait of Goddess "saraswathi" in which a water falls behind and stream flowing in the backdrop drawn. We enjoyed this part of the trek. Stream was serene at its best. Finally we were at the top tip of the water falls !. Oh, what a gorge it was !!!. Almost 100+ feet deep, but there was no way to go down. We really risked our lives and held on to a dry bush and crawled down to the gorge. Finally we got down to the gorge. falls was not single lap, it had many laps. Its almost 150 ft fall. But it was very scenic. As usual, all of us stripped off and jumped in to a small pool which was infront of the falls. Pool was not as big as the one found in thumbe falls. So we could not stay in the water for long time. Lunch was prepared by dharma meanwhile. It was an another mouth watering sambaar. We had stomach full. then we napped for a while and decided to start the trek back. Trek back was not that eventful as we were saying goodbye to the valley. But the mahesh was having a dip in all pools and falls we got on the way back!!. finally we reached the tribals house, by then our pickup vehicle had arrived. We had quick freshen up. by then Dharma had prepared "Nimbe juice". Had juice and then had a group photo session. Greeted goodbye to the hosts and started back journey to Kargal. We took local bus to Sagar. Reached sagar and had dinner. Our bus was at 8:45pm. Got in to the bus and we were back to bangalore on time.
It was an awesome memorable trek after long time. It was memorable in many ways. i had a small and like minded team. I Will cherish the trek for long time.

Links of Photos of the trek
Photos By Ananth
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ananth.hv/ThumbheAndBRFallsTrek?locked=true&feat=email#

Photos By Samit thange
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/samitthange/ShravathiValleyTrek?authkey=Gv1sRgCJqv0uSj0_q_sQE

Photos by Sampath
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/prapancha/1718042010ExploraoryTrek#

A Memorable day of the year

As planned we had this year "Parisara Sri" and "Samaja Sri" Award function on 1st of April 2010. It was also a annual fest called "ayanotsava" of the village deity Sri Lakshmi narasimha swamy. The event was supposed to start at 6PM, But as our chief guest of the occasion Mr. Vijaya Kumar Range Forest Officer(RFO) of Sagar arrival was delayed, event started of at 7:30PM. Villagers had taken a very special interest in setting up dais for the event. The function was started off with invocation by Ms.Bhageerathi. Then Our Trust Joint Secretory Mr.Sridhar Hegde welcomed the gathering. Chief guest RFO vijayakumar inaugurated the function by lightening up the lamp. Then Trust Secretory Mr.Sampath Kumar briefed about organization last 1 year achievement and the next year plans to the gathering. Then award was presented to the awardees. This time "Parisara Sri" award was presented to Mr. Ranganath Hegde, a well known environmentalist who has been involved with many environmental organizations like "vruksha laksha" andolana. The award carried a cash prize and a memento. The award was presented by RFO Vijayakumar. His achievements were read out by Kumari Nayana. Then "Samaja Sri" award was presented to Mr. Siddaraju, State advocacy Secretory, Dalith Human rights. Mr. Siddaraju has been very active social worker and he has been involved with providing free legal help to the poorest of poor daliths in the state. The award was presented to him by Tust president Mr.Subbarao. His achievements were read out by Kumari Asha. Then "Seva Sri" award presented to Mr. Srinivas , driver and Mr. Ramesh, conductor of Gajanana Transport for their hard work and selfless service.
Later while addressing his inaugural address, RFO vijayakumar stressed the need of eco friendly alternative economical activities in and around forest. He briefed the gathering about the significance of eco touirism in the region. He detailed how kerala has been benefited with eco tourism activity. Later "Samaja Sri" Awardee , Mr. Siddaraju spoke on the occasion. He also stressed about the need of alternative economical activity in the vicinity of the forest, so that poorest poor gets benefited. Then "Parisara Sri" Awardee Mr. H G Ranganath Hegde spoke on the occasion and stressed the need to prevent forest destruction further in the region. He also said how forest destruction has been ruining the life of local dwellers and how its affecting the common man as a whole. Later kumari nayana gave vote of thanks. Mr.Ganesh , member, gram panchayath was the master of ceremony.
There were journalists from most local and state media. It has been covered very well in the media. Here are some press coverage clips(click on image to zoom in),

Vijaya Karnataka Dated 3rd April 2010
























Samyuktha Karataka dated 3rd April 2010

The Invitation to be part of movement to protect Environment

Dear All,
It has been Our organization "The Sharavathi Nature Conservation Trust(R)" sole aim to protect last remaining forest all over and in particular Westernghat. As part of this we have taken up various activities.

To name few,

• Pristine forest destruction is happening for various reasons. One of the major reason is livelihood of forest dwellers. So our organization initiated alternative economical activities like providing employment to the local youths, who were once part forest exploitation. To create employment, our organization started activities like Trekking, Nature camp and water sports in Sharavathi Backwater.
• Organization has been working with forest department to conserve and protect some of the endangered species of the plants. As part of this in June 2009, we collected about 100 varieties of Tribal medicinal plants and we have replanted them in a secure place. The plan is to protect them and also get the research done on their medicinal value scientifically.
  
• Government has setup forest force to protect the forest. But as usual, its a typical govt setup where very rarely honest and sincere work of the officers to protect the forest are recognized. So the our organization has setup an annual award called "Parisara Sri", which will be awarded to the honest forest officer. This initiative is to recognize the good work done by the officer and to encourage the officer to take up the good work with more vigor.

The Invitation:-
On 1st of April 2010, we have organized a function to present the 2010-11 annual "Parisara Sri" award. This year along with the forest officer recognition, we are recognizing people who are doing social service in the region.

This Year Awardees Are,

2010-11 "Parisara Sri" Award --> Mr. Shivamurthy. Range Forest Officer (RFO). Kargal Range.
2010-11 "Samaja Sri" Award -->Mr. Siddaraju R.State advocacy Secretory.Dalith Human Rights

I Invite all my fellow Trekkers, nature enthusiasts to attend in large number to this function. Your presence will surely encourage the awardees to take up the work with much more vigor.

Function Details:-
Date: 1st April 2010, Thursday.
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Sri Lakshminarashima swamy temple, Gubbagodu village, Sagara Taluk, Shimoga District.

For more details please mail me to prapancha@gmail.com

Regards
Sampath Kumar
Secretory
The Sharavathi Nature Conservation Trust(R).

Wealth and environmental disaster

Wealth and environmental disaster

I always felt unprecedented wealth generation or inorganic growth leads to environmental disaster. Last week i could see myself when I traveled abroad. I visited Bahrain, an oil rich gulf country for a personnel visit. Oil economy has brought fortune to gulf countries. We can see this everywhere from sky kissing buildings to SUVs zooming at max throttle on roads, there were no small cars on the road at all, swanky malls with all over world cuisine food stalls sans a single vegetarian restaurant etc., I hardly saw someone walking on the beautifully laid out pavement. If there was one or two, it was only a Indian or Filipino labor class people !! who make up large labor class there.
I could see only very handful of public transport bus. For the first few days i was forced to roam around in taxi even for a small distance, finaly fed up with this thought of taking stroll to go to our desi restaurant called "Mysore Hotel". I was fed up with only salad and juice and i was missing my favorite "anna-saaru". The restaurant was about 3 KM from the hotel where i was staying. started walking towards hotel on neat pavement. It was so windy, and there was a light fine sand storm... by the time i reached restaurant , there was this fine sand all over me. As they have money, they can always take up planting some desert friendly trees, but i noticed its hardly bothered them.
It was so nice to find "namma udupi hotel" in a place like this. But that was my last walk on pavement..it was not that i was lazy, but i was so scared of crossing roads! there were absolutely no signal for pedestrian crossing! so i was worried going under wheels of zooming cars..!. Added to my scare, just a previous day a keralite who was a pilot there came under wheels of a zooming car!.
Somewhere everyone dream is to get this kind of life. But i feel its an environmental disaster in the long run. Already global warming is creating havoc in everones daily life. Also we should not forget the havoc this creates on ones personnel health.I just got this article to share with for the reference, Interesting article on human cause on global warming
Everyone's day to day life style is the most important reason for the environmental disaster than the pollution caused by some industry, though they are also major contributors. i keep telling people how we have distanced ourselves from the "Living in harmony with nature". We have forgotten walking even for a small distance, we have stopped using the public transport, we need electricity for everything etc etc., This type of lifestyle is causing more damage than the industries etc., We need to care for environment , we need to care for mother earth. otherwise we will leave this earth in barren, unlivable condition to our next generation. We have responsibility leave this planet in livable to condition to our next generation as we got it from our forefathers.

Very Happy New Year To All Of My Fellow Nature Enthusiasts

A few simple things that could be worked into the daily routine, starting today

Try to use less electricity at home and at work, to help combat global warming.

Take public transport or walk short distances instead of using a car, or use pedal power.

Book your car in for an engine tune-up, to help cut down air pollution.

Be Demanding Out Shopping. Making 'green' choices when you shop can have far-reaching benefits.

If organic items or eco-labelled goods are not available from your local shops, ask for them.

Businesses do listen to their customers. We have the power to change the selection of products that are available to us. So make shop managers aware of your demand for eco-friendly products.

Shop for products with a positive impact: recycled, reusable, and sustainable.

Buy organically grown fruits, vegetables, organic cotton clothing, and hemp-fibre products.

Don't buy bottled water - transporting water from its source to the supermarket shelves is an expensive waste of energy. And the plastic and glass bottles add to the already-high mountains of rubbish that we produce.

If you do buy bottled water, buy from a local source (read the labels) and buy water that comes in recyclable glass or plastic.


The green shopper brings their own reusable shopping bag and buys products that use minimal packaging.

Recycle your paper, glass, plastics and other waste. Call your local government to find out if they offer a collection service. Send e-greetings instead of paper cards.

Help reduce the world's rubbish dumps - don't use "throw-away" products like paper plates and napkins, and plastic knives, forks, and cups.

Use rechargeable batteries.

Make the leap to recycled stationery and calendars. If (it's a leap year) just means one more day to celebrate the year-round tradition.

Take your own mug along for your daily organic cappuccino / herbal tea, instead of using a disposable cup...

Cutting waste. If you purchase one cup of coffee every day in a disposable container, you create about 10kg / 23 lb of waste each year.

Recycle and reuse any containers etc and compost all kitchen waste.

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~Native American Proverb