Sanctuaries in Konkan

Sanctuaries in Konkan

Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Raigad 

Location:

Karnala Bird Sanctuary is located in Panvel Taluka of Raigad District. The sanctuary is quite small with an area of 4.27 Sq.kms.

Biodiversity: 

The sanctuary is very rich in avifauna and harbours 147 species of resident and 37 species of migratory birds who visit the sanctuary during winters. Two rare birds i.e. Ashy Minimet and Spotted heart woodpeckers have been sighted here.

Flora:

Vegetation typifies moist deciduous forest and is characterised by species such as Koshimb, mango, nana, kulu, kalam, asana, umbar and teak in the top canopy. The ecological conditions of the tract favour a large variety of bird population. The forests are also ideal as a harbourage to wild animals. A casual walk through the forests is an unfailing source of joy, with the list of bird-song ringing in the air. 

Fauna:

The sanctuary abounds in bird life and during the migrating season from October to April as many as 140 species of birds have been recorded.

Karnala has two distinct seasons from the point of viess of the bird-watcher. At the onset of rains, one can see the paradise flycatcher with its fairy-like white streamers, the shama or the magpie robin and the malabar whistling thrush which are some of the most melodious avian songsters.

A variety of other birds is also seen nesting in the forest. The racket-tailed drongo also nests here. Its skill in the air and felicity to mimic the call of other birds make it a great favourite amongst the bird-watchers. The golden backed woodpecker and the heart-spotted woodpecker are rather uncommon.

In winter, the migrants take over and the pattern of bird life changes. The migrants include a variety of birds such as the blackbird, the blue-headed rock-thrush, the bluethroat, the red breasted flycatcher, the ashy minivet, the black headed cuckoo-shrike and a host of others.

Though Karnala is principally a bird sanctuary, many other interesting forms wildlife like wild boar, the four-horned antelope, the muntjak and the common langur also occur here.

 

Other attractions: 

Karnala Bird Sanctuary is a major attraction to the visitors of Mumbai, Thane and other nearby towns. About one hundred thousands local tourists visit the sanctuary every year. Karnala is a paradise for bird watchers. One can also visit Nature Interpretation Centre and trek down to famous Karnala Fort located amidst sanctuary.

Apart from being a place of interest to the naturalist, Karnala is redolent of martial history. Karnala Fort or the 'Funnel Hill' as it is called, stands 475 metres high. Its command of the high road between Bhorghat and the rivers of Panvel and Apta, must have from the earliest time, made Karnala a place of strategic importance. Two gateways one at the foot and the other at the top of the rock-hewn steps lead to a dual gateway with a chamber in between. There are two inscriptions in the Fort, one in Marathi and the other in Persain. The Fort has a cheqered history of having passed through the hands of Muslim, Portuguese and Maratha rulers.

The sanctuary provides excellent facilities for trekking.

Tourist Information:

Best time to visit: October to April.

Nearest Airport: Mumbai (35 Kms.).

By Rail: Panvel (15 Kms.) on Mumbai-Goa Konkan Railway.

By Road: Karnala Bird Sanctuary is located on Mumbai-Goa Highway No.17 at a distance of 12 Km. from Panvel.

Malvan Marine Sanctuary, Sindhudurg 

 

Marine sanctuary

Location:

Malvan, the only marine sanctuary is located in Malvan Taluka of Sindhudurg district. The 29.22 sq. kms. in Malvan Taluka was declared as marine sanctuary in 1987.

Salient Features:

Area is rich in coral and marine life. Beautiful coast of Malvan with golden sands and Casuarinas plantations is feast to eyes. Traditional life of fishermen can also be observed. Famous Sindhdurg fort, built by Shivaji Maharaj is located within sanctuary area. 

Boarding/Camping facilities: 

The sanctuary has Akeri Rest Houses of the Forest Department with 2 suites each. The reservation authority is Dy.C.F., Sawantwadi. Government rest house is available at Malvan, which is under Public works department, having reservation office at Malvan. Private lodges and hotels at reasonable rates are available at Malvan. 

Food : 

All types of foods, including famous Malavani food is available in Malvan. 

Transport facilities: 

Private owned motor launches are available at reasonable cost from Malvan jetty.

 

Tourist Information:

Best time to visit: Malvan can be visited round the year. The monsoons season witnesses heavy rainfall (more then 3500mm.) The summer and winter are moderate. 

Nearest airport: Goa (145 kms.)

By Rail: Kudal (28kms.) on Mumbai- Goa (Konkan Railways) is provides ideal rail connection.

By Road: Regular private and Government buses are available from Mumbai (450kms.), Pune (400 Kms.), Kolhapur (100 kms.), Panaji ( 130 kms) for Malvan.

Connecting cities: Goa (140kms.), Kolhapur (100kms.) and Belgaon (100kms.) 

Address & Phone Number:

Deputy Conservator of Forests, 

Sawantwadi Forest Division, Sawantwadi Maharashtra India.

Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, Raigad 

 

Location:

The sanctuary is located in Murud and Roha Talukas of Raigad district. The sanctuary extends over on area of about 53 sq. Kms.

Biodiversity:

Flora:

The sanctuary represents a Coastal Woodland Ecosystem of Western Ghats where atleast 21 species of endemic plants are found such as clitoria biflora, Balevia gibsoni, Ramphicapa longifolia. The ethrobotany of the sanctuary is represented by about 91 plant species. Considerable number of Medicinal plant species also do occur in the area. 

Fauna:

Sanctuary shelters wild animals such as Panther, Sambhar, Wild boar, Barking deer, Hyena etc..

Other attractions:

Janjira fort

The sanctuary habitat is very rich and offers highly serene ambience to the visitors, who can take trekking through a nature trail located at Supegaon and visit Nature Interpretation Centre at Majgaon. The famous Janjira Fort located in the sea and place of Nawab of Murud are also the places of attraction to the visitors.

Tourist Information:

Best time to visit: October to April.

Nearest Airport: Mumbai ( ).

By Rail: Roha (30 Kms.) on the Konkan Railway route.

By Road: Mumbai (160 Kms.) and Alibag (50 Kms.).

Accommodations:

Forest Inspection hut, Supegaon - 2 rooms - Dy.C.F. (Wildlife) Thane

P.W.D. Rest house, Murud - 2 suites

Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary, Thane 

 

Location:

Tansa wildlife sanctuary is located in Wada, Shahapur and Mokhada Talukas of Thane district. The area of sanctuary is about 320 sq.kms.

Biodiversity: 

The wildlife sanctuary at Tansa in Thana district comprises the catchment area of Tansa Lake and the surrounding forests of Shahapur, Khardi, Vaitarna and East Wada Ranges in Shahapur tahsil of Thana district. The glittering expanse of Tansa Lake is an eye-catching spectacle and a perennial source of water to wild life in the sanctuary. Being not far from the metropolis of Bombay, the sanctuary bids fair to be of great attraction to its citizens.

Flora:

The vegetation corresponds to the "southern tropical moist deciduous forests". The density of forest ranges between 0.5 to 0.8. Major tree species exist in the area are Tectona grandis (Teak), Acacia catechu (Khair), Terminalia tomentosa (Ain), Adina cordifolia (Hed), Mitragyna parviflora (Kalamb), Pterocarpes marsupium (Bibla), etc.. Bamboo is also found in patches.

Fauna:

The forest in the sanctuary provide ideal conditions of harbourage to a variety of birds and animals. There are atleast 54 species of animals and 200 species of birds do exist in the sanctuary. Major wild animals are Panther, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Hyena, Wild boar etc..

Other attractions: 

The dense wooded forests of Tansa sanctuary are great attraction for visitors from Mumbai, Thane and adjoining region. The lakes of Tansa and Vaitarna are the major source of drinking water supply to Mumbai and Thane. The other tourist places include the famous historical fort of Mahuli, Mahadeo Temple at Tilsa and Plateau of Suryamal.

Tourist Information:

Best time to visit: November to May.

Nearest Airport: Mumbai (90 Kms.)

By Rail: The nearest railhead is Atgaon on the Central Railway barely 13 Kms from the sanctuary. Khardi is 118 Kms from Mumbai C.S.T..

By Road: From the city of Mumbai the sanctuary is about 95 Kms. and can be accessed by road from Shahapur Town located on Mumbai-Agra National Highway No.3.