Curiosity gets me places – Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa!

Every human being is born curious. It is this trait that has got us thriving and evolving to become the dominant species in the world. Curiosity in itself is innocent. I too am curious, curious to observe and explore the original treasures of the world. Curiosity has four aspects, namely ‘How’, ‘Why’, ‘Where’ & ‘What’. ‘Where’ & ‘What’ make greater sense to me, serving a higher purpose. Of the many adventures that have come my way, the one ‘Where’ & ‘What’ I will take you along is the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa for its avifauna.

Wintery mornings in Bondla WLS are just magical. The silvery mist takes over the forest; the road is just about visible, tempting and beckoning. As you pass through the archway of the sanctuary, there is a notable transformation; the air is thicker, temperature has dropped, the noise has ceased, you may have even grown wings, you surely have gotten a ticket to a different world! You will want to tread carefully, so as not to disturb its residents.

As the mist clears, the forest transforms once again. The Giant Wood Spider webs glisten in the morning sun, the sun rays dance about, playing hide-and-seek with the rustling leaves and tall trees. The foliage is dense and mysterious, the canopy magical, but the real tales lie in the understory amongst the lianas and vines. The forest floor is laid with leaves golden, upon which you dare tread, for they will trumpet your presence to the inmates of the land, in loud crunch squeals. 

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

But, if you tread carefully, just pause momentarily and bow to listen, the whole jungle is yours to see.

The morning songs will come strong, resonant through far and near, and the first song that you hear may very well be of the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. A rhapsodic melody from a hidden perch, the tail visible as it sways to each note, like a conductor’s baton to every score. Behold the majestic bird, carefree in his forest; well, this is just the beginning as his band of boys will follow.

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

Orange Minivet, Bronzed Drongo, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Velvet-fronted Nuthatche, Black-
rumped Flameback and many more species follow. What we have encountered is a hunting party, a mixed flock of birds, each benefitting from the others’ company, flittering and hopping, going about their business, foraging for munchies from tree to tree, making merry of a beautiful morning. Well, they will disappear as abruptly as they came, and then again, you will be left behind with impressions dear, to continue along the road much taken, for the untold tales lie in the lost trails. 

Great Indian Hornbill (Female)

If you are lucky, you will be graced by the presence of many beauties, such as the Malabar Trogons, Black-hooded Orioles, Hair-crested Drongos, Indian Blackbird, Green-Pigeons, Great Hornbills and others.

The terrain at Bondla WLS is unusually hilly, nesting amidst the Western Ghats, each bend taking a different tone, the wavering light transforming the place with every passing minute. The shadows can be wary, and if you are not curious enough, you will pass many a beauties camouflaged in pure sight, unnoticed. At times, you seem to be ascending towards heavenly green, while at others, descending towards a fiery yellow. The passage of time notwithstanding, the show will go on forever.

Crested Serpent Eagle

Although I am not an expert at deciphering forests, from what I have learnt, Bondla forest is of the mixed type, primarily moist deciduous and partly evergreen. Understanding forests is a beautiful science and there are key identifier species that can help us decode.

The road is paved, open to all vehicles, entry fee reasonable, at times the traffic can be a bother but that is a necessity for self-sustenance and preservation of the habitat. Within the sanctuary is a zoo, the only one in Goa, serving as a bridge that can shape young minds, sensitizing them about our co-inhabitants, their importance and preservation.

In the end, all journeys must culminate, to seed another.

PS: This article was published in "The newsletter of Ecological Society, Pune" January 2021 edition, called Ecology@Work.

Lands where the Bulls go Wild

I just happened to be at the right place at the right time but at an unfortunate hour (office rush), few seconds I was there; I was a spectator to a most amazing event.



I was caught on a flyover, here in Bhubaneswar in what seemed to be a traffic jam. Since a biker never stops, I managed to squeeze closer to the traffic stopper which to my delight / surprise were two huge, I mean real huge Bulls who were drawn in a fierce battle and were surely after blood (can't say who would shed blood for the humans seemed to be insignificant wretched little things caught in the battle of the Titans.



And even the giant trucks that were, were stopped by these mammals locked in some hard talk. They swayed, they snorted, scared two scooterists to quit their vehicles and as I was excited & scared in the same moment of confrontation, I made a silly move to squeeze past the small gap that was momentarily made and what madness, the bulls were heading towards me and my bike (a Pulsar) that seemed so puny amongst them giants. The tail of one almost touch my bike and I had frozen by then and my adrenalin pumped blood, what a rush; I was fortunate since the bull the back of which kissed my bike gained dominance for a second enough to push its brutal foe away from me for a moment big enough to turn my bike and hide behind a neighbouring car (Wagon R).



This had done it and I decided to take my chances and quit the flyover that was a witness to the clash of the Titans.



As I parked my bike close to my workplace, I still shivered, was overjoyed too for having been there. A moment to cherish, a moment so big and unforgettable that I had to write about, and here I am writing as witnessed just half an hour back.



...I desired to be amongst the mountains, in the wild, beside the rivers & streams and when I couldn't, the Nature came calling right into the city.