Ashish Khadakban
Science teacher
What are your plans for mornings on holidays???? Sleeping till 9am, reading newspaper……. I have some better plans for you which will take you little a bit more closer towards nature. Most of Kalyan’s residents would be aware of a place called “GANDHARI RIVER”. Gandhari is the area located ahead of Agarwal College. Ahead of Gandhari bridge there is a forest area which is a dwelling place to most of the birds and reptiles. Yes you read correctly….. Birds and Reptiles!!!!!! Now can you make a list of how many different species of birds and reptiles you see commonly in your day to day life??? 6…8…10…. Or max to max 15!!!!
You will be amazed to know that more than 70-80 species of birds and 15-20 species of reptiles (which includes snakes, lizard and scorpions) dwell in Gandhari area.
Gandhari area comprises of three different kinds of habitats namely grassland, aquatic and forest. Different species live in different habitats of the area. Several nature trails are organized in Gandhari forest. It starts at around 7am from Gandhari bridge and first covers the grassland area, then moves towards aquatic and lastly to the forest area. It is also a pleasure to view the scenic beauty of sunrise at Gandhari River. Several species of butterflies can be seen during the nature trail. You are too lucky if you spot a snake in your way. There are number of venomous and non-venomous snakes in all the three kinds of habitats. So make sure that you visit the area with an expert guide only. So now plan a Sunday to take a visit to Gandhari forest with your family and friends. Best time to visit is from October to March when you can observe most of the bird species. Even migratory birds are seen in these five to six months.
| Here is the list of common sightings at Gandhari | |
|
Birds |
|
|
1 |
Koel (male and female) |
|
2 |
Purple rumped Sunbird |
|
3 |
Vigour’s sunbird |
|
4 |
Indian robin (male and female) |
|
5 |
Oriental magpie robin |
|
6 |
White browed flycather |
|
7 |
Fantail flycather |
|
8 |
Common Myna |
|
9 |
House crow |
|
10 |
Jungle crow |
|
11 |
House sparrow |
|
12 |
Barn swallow |
|
13 |
Wire tailed swallow |
|
14 |
Asain palm swift |
|
15 |
White throated kingfisher |
|
16 |
Common kingfisher |
|
17 |
Grey hornbill |
|
18 |
Southern coucal |
|
19 |
Little and Indian Cormorant |
|
20 |
Little, intermediate and large Egrets |
|
21 |
Black kite |
|
22 |
Jungle babbler |
|
23 |
Plain prinia |
|
24 |
Ashy prinia |
|
25 |
Black drongo |
|
26 |
Red wattled lapwing |
|
27 |
Black shouldered kite |
|
28 |
Yellow wagtail |
|
29 |
Grey wagtail |
|
30 |
Citrine wagtail |
|
31 |
Open bill stork |
|
32 |
Painted stork |
|
33 |
Baya weaver |
|
34 |
Scaly breasted munia |
|
35 |
Blue throat |
|
36 |
Pied Bushchat |
|
37 |
Black naped monarch |
|
38 |
Tickels blue flycatcher |
|
39 |
Golden oriole |
|
40 |
Oriental white eye |
|
41 |
Indian paradise flycatcher (male and female) |
|
42 |
Oriental honey buzzard |
|
43 |
Spot billed ducks |
|
44 |
Pond heron |
|
45 |
Common sandpiper |
|
46 |
Marsh sandpiper |
|
47 |
Wood sandpiper |
|
48 |
Rose ringed parakeet |
|
49 |
Alexandrine parakeet |
|
50 |
Laughing dove |
|
51 |
Spotted dove |
|
52 |
Spotted owlet |
|
53 |
Red naped ibis |
|
54 |
Common kingfisher |
|
55 |
Green bee eater |
|
56 |
Long tailed shrike |
|
57 |
Ziting cisticola |
|
58 |
Marsh harrier |
|
59 |
Gargeney |
|
60 |
Spot billed ducks |
|
61 |
Greater spotted eagle |
|
62 |
Northen shovellers male and female |
|
63 |
Copper smith barbet |
|
64 |
Leaf bird |
|
Butterflies |
|
|
1 |
White orange tip |
|
2 |
Yellow orange tip |
|
3 |
Common grass yellow |
|
4 |
Plain tiger |
|
5 |
Stripped tiger |
|
6 |
Tailed jay |
|
7 |
Common wanderer |
|
8 |
Lime butterfly |
|
9 |
Blue Oak leaf |
|
10 |
Eggfly |
|
11 |
Peacock pancy |
|
12 |
Grey pancy |
|
Reptiles |
|
|
1 |
Spectacled cobra |
|
2 |
Russells viper |
|
3 |
Common krait |
|
4 |
Rat snake |
|
5 |
Cat snake |
|
6 |
Sand boa |
|
7 |
Green vine snake |
|
8 |
Trinket |
|
9 |
Checkerd keelback |
|
10 |
Buff stripped keelback |
|
11 |
Russells kukri |
|
12 |
Wolf snake |
Sir,
A nature trail is a wonderful idea.
Local level biodiversity needs exploration, recognition & appreciation before children (and adults alike) could do so for national & global levels.
The school may plan a Sunday morning from October to March with an expert (as suggested in your Blog post) for interested parents (& more mature students) would be a good starting point.
I am impressed by your list of fauna found so close to our residence.
I am sure the various trees in Gandhari Forest would also be interesting to take a note of !
With regards,