Over the last decade our journey into the various forests looking for different species of birds has been exhilarating. Our bird count had touched 987 (in India) after our recent trip and typically had the desire to reach the 1000 mark by the end of 2023. Each time, when we set out to find different species, the words of my Spiritual Master echo in my mind. “We are born for desires...fulfill them...the day you are without desires...Its Moksha (Sanskrit: मोक्ष Mokṣa; liberation) - Paramji Alias His Holiness. With another destination and some birds on our mind, we left early in the morning by r ..read more

The Barak Valley is the southernmost region and a administrative division of the India’s north-eastern state of Assam. It is named after the Barak river. The Barak valley consists of three administrative districts of Assam namely - Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi. Among these three districts, Cachar and Hailakandi belonged to the erstwhile Cachar district in British-India, whereas Karimganj belonged to the Sylhet district. Sylhet was gifted to East Pakistan with Karimganj being divided and handed over to Assam, reason then stated was to let India have a proper connectivity with Tripura.&nbs ..read more

"JULLEY" is how one greets another in Ladakh (“land of high passes”) a remote region in the north-western Trans- Himalayas which until recently was within the state of Jammu and Kashmir is now administered by India as an union territory.  Geographically located along the Great Himalayas and the Karakoram ranges, also a region that is sparsely inhabited by people, who are of the Indo- Aryan and Tibetan race. It’s the western most extension of the Tibetan plateau placed at an altitude that ranges from 2000 meters to 7650 meters above sea level. Had been to some regions exactly ten y ..read more

Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary is a bird watcher’s paradise situated in the state of Maharashtra, India. Located on the Pune-Solapur Highway around 90 km from Pune along the backwaters of Ujani Dam that is constructed on the Bhima River. It's also a weekend getaway for many, especially for those who hail from Mumbai and Pune. Every year during the winter season many migratory birds are known to visit the region. There are a few villages that are located at the banks of these backwaters. Each village offers a different view and experience. Some of the most popular villages we had heard o ..read more

Dibang Valley (lower) a region, tucked away in the eastern Great Himalaya Range along the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh India was our destination for this winter (Nov end) birding session this year. Dense forests - Dibang Valley (lower) - Yash Kothiala During the summer of 2017 (April) had visited the Mishmi hills, that are the highest range of Purvanchal hills situated in the Shivallils (outer Himalayas) they are also known by different names in different areas such as Abor, Dafla, Miri and Mishmi Hills in Arunachal Pradesh. After a long flight from Mum ..read more

Andaman and Nicobar Islands were formed due to a collision between Indian Plate and Burma Minor Plate, there are many such theories that suggest how the formation of Andaman and Nicobar Islands may have taken place, though neither of the theories have been completely accepted or denied. All we are sure is that these forces of nature did give us a wonderful island, that in now in the middle of a turquoise blue sea with some endemic species of birds, which simply means these species are not found elsewhere, giving us a very good reason to be there so see them. The Anda ..read more

Migration is a ritual in the avian world that comes to them naturally, as it’s said, “it’s in their DNA”. These migratory birds soar high and fly towards distant habitats that are best suited for them, usually hundreds and thousands of kilometres away and across geographical boundaries. These long haul flights are taken every year to different habitats, depending and specific to each species. It could be either for feeding, breeding or raising their young ones. Though there are many different migration patterns, most of the birds migrate from northern breeding areas to southern wintering groun ..read more

Mangrove swamps are mysterious forests that exist between sea and shore, on sheltered tropical coastlines in many parts of the world. One such Mangrove swamp is located in the Ganges delta formed by the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghana called the Sunderbans National Park.  It is not only the largest that is found in India, but also is the world's largest estuarine sanctuary. The swamp showed a clear zonation for the conditions endured by plants at the lower edge of the tide (which floods them daily) differ from those farther inland, which are only flooded by a ha ..read more

A journey into Namdapha National Park had been on my mind for a while, actually ever since we first visited the eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh in the mid of 2017 As it's said, desire and forget and soon it shall get fulfilled. One fine morning got a message from Mr. Peter Lobo, asking if we would be interested in doing a trip to one of the richest national park in terms of variety in flora and fauna in the entire Indian Subcontinent. Obviously the answer was certainly yes. The entire trip starting and ending at the base of snowcapped Dapha Bum, in the spectacular valley of the Noa-Di ..read more

Land of the dawn-lit mountains has been phrased and refers to the easternmost place in India, Dong in Arunachal Pradesh, as it receives the first rays of the sun. It was supposedly discovered in the year 1999, later confirmed by Survey of India. Since, then it has prompted many visitors to visit this remote place, which is now known as the sunrise village. At 1240 metres, Dong is located at the confluence of the turquoise coloured rivers, Lohit (a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra) and Sati, that flow in all its glory, to the misty blue mountains of Walong in the Eastern Himalayas. Strate ..read more