Breeding Time for Olive Ridleys, on the East Indian Coast

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Admin

Millions of Olive Ridley turtles are born on the east coast of India every year. But only a few reach adulthood. Out of 10 million, only the ones that reach water and are not swallowed by prey live to become adults.

Dark beaches, river mouths, quiet nooks and corners, are ideal for them to hatch and waddle to the water. In Orissa, beaches near Rushikulya river mouth and Gahirmatha sanctuary close to the Bhitarkanika National Park are good breeding grounds for them.

Other coastal states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh witness turtle breeds, but not as much as in Odisha.

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Red Ribbon Express Comes To Kerala: April 23 – May 5

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Admin

The awareness campaign on train will start on April 23, in Palakkad. It will travel to other parts of Kerala such as Kannur, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Kollam, Ernakulam and Alleppey until May 5. It was flagged off on January 12 by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare.

At the exhibition, you can get your queries regarding the syndrome answered. This year’s target population is women and youth. Each coach of the train carries various messages and facilities. There are provisions for receiving treatment and counselling in the train itself. For people and instructors working in the health sector, there will be training sessions, in batches.

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Emperor Penguin Census – 6,00,00 penguins in Antarctica

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Admin

Six lakh emperor penguins inhabit Antarctica, according to a recent survey by UK, US and Australian scientists. They used satellite technology, ground counts and aerial photography at select sites, to trace and count the birds. After spotting individual colonies, the scientists then use resolution imagery to get the birds’ numbers.

There are about 44 key penguin colonies in Antarctica now. Abundance of food and absence of predators help the penguins to survive here.

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Khijadia Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat – Home of Black-Necked Stork

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Admin

Gujarat’s Khijadia Bird Sanctuary houses the almost endangered Black-necked storks. And recently, there has been a spotting of 49 of such birds. During the estimation survey, forest officials have recorded 87,681 birds of 185 species. The place was declared a sanctuary in May 1981, and covers 6.05sq.km.

The sanctuary is 12km from Jamnagar, on the western coast of Gujarat. It stands on the southern coast of the Gulf of Kutch. This wetland comprises marine and brackish wetlands, mangroves, swaps, salt pans, creeks, mudflats and freshwater lakes and every year, it hosts migratory birds from Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and nearby areas. There are semi-arid farmlands and sandy beaches, too, in and around the sanctuary.

Besides the black necked-stork and spoonbill, you can spot birds such as Pallas’s fish eagle, Pallid harrier, Indian skimmer, Dalmatian pelican, Darter, Asian open bill stork, Black-headed ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, Osprey in the Khijadia Bird Sanctuary. As there are freshwater and seawater areas in the sanctuary, you can see avifauna that use both.

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Cuba: Land of Sun, Salsa & Rum

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Admin

By Susan Thomas

Cuba was always on my travel list for the longest time, but the idea of a touristy, all-inclusive package to an island that still represents the 1950s was completely unappealing.  I have always been resistant to the catered tour packages of all-you-can-eat, drink and tan, simply because I am a poor drinker, have my natural Indian glow and prefer self-planning. However, after some research and much pondering, an all-inclusive was the most economical way to visit this island and a good option for the very first foray into Cuba. The entire experience was better than expected as I brought plenty of books, music and an open mind.

We landed in the resort-filled peninsula of Varadero and it immediately evoked memories of South India with swaying palm trees, slow airport customs officers and warm humidity. Our resort was tired-looking (apparently to be expected of all the government sanctioned resorts) with fading yellow paint & blinding orange curtains, but the ocean view from the room, cheerful staff and island breeze made up for it all. The weather was fantastic with bright sunshine for at least 9 hours every day with not a spot of rain.

Part of my skepticism with all-inclusive packages was Expedia-like advertisements featuring turquoise blue waters and beaches ideal for shell-picking, which I dismissed as unreal and “Photoshop”ed. Not true! The aquamarine colour and clarity of the water on Varadero clean beaches are serene and stunning. I have to confess I spent 2 days on the beach just staring at the water with a lazy desire to do nothing.

I was constantly warned to be weary of food options in Cuba; it was either slim pickings, bland or contaminated. Yet I sustained myself, illness-free, with juicy papaya and pineapple, heaps of rice & beans, aromatic Cuban coffee and the island’s biggest draw; rum.

Other guests at our resort and day tours were 90% Canadian with a sprinkling of Germans and Italians. So I did not get the global experience that I usually get from my other travels. I did discover that speaking some Spanish goes a long way in conversing with locals and getting a feel of life in Cuba. The staff at our resort always had a smile, put up with my survival Spanish questions and in my opinion, they truly made the experience enjoyable.

Day trip to Havana:

Through our government sanctioned tour operator, we took a day trip to the capital with a stop at a divine pina colada bar, visits to the revolutionary sites and the over-rated Tropicana show. Havana was captivating! A lively, crammed city with dilapidated buildings and Chevys and Caddies that Cubans have kept running for more than half a century. Continue reading →

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Three Religious Idols Found In Church Vault in Anjuthengu

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Admin

Anjengo Fort in Anjuthengu, 36km from Trivandrum, is the most known landmark of the city. But recently, the scene of action has shifted to St Peter’s Ferona Church. Three antique figurines were found in an underground vault of this 18th century Catholic church.

Located on the coast between Trivandrum and Varkala, this fishing village hosted a fortified port used by the British East India Company during their reign. Before that it was controlled by the Dutch.

Out of the figurines discovered was of Virgin Mary in ivory. The other two were wood cultures of St Philomena. It was during the renovation of the church’s altar that the items were found. According to the vicar, the idol of Virgin Mary was probably used by the church during processions and festivals years ago.

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Rare Dragonfly Spotted at Thenmala Butterfly Park – Kollam

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Admin

Researchers and butterfly watchers at the Thenmala Butterfly Park have a reason to jump with joy! A few days back, C. Sushanth and M.S. Akhil spotted and photographed the rare Lesser Blue wing Dragonfly on the premises during their monthly butterfly and dragonfly monitoring exercise. This medium-sized dragonfly has bright metallic blue markings on the base of its wings. It is usually found in marshy areas and ponds.

The park was inaugurated by then Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balkrishnan in early 2008. It is Asia’s first Butterfly Safari Park, and is located in the hilly region of Kollam district. Visitors to the Thenmala Eco-tourism Park can spend half a day at the Butterfly Safari Park. It is situated behind the musical fountain in the cultural zone.

The Entomology Department of Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) has made a half-kilometre-long nature trail, where people can watch butterflies (about 125 species) at close quarters. There are a variety of trees, ponds and mud puddles that help the butterflies to breed and survive.

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Basilica of Bom Jesus – Old Goa’s Most Famous Landmark

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Admin

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is perhaps Old Goa’s most famous landmark. The town is situated along the Mandovi river, about 10km from Panaji. Showing off the Baroque style of architecture, this early 16th century cathedral is now a World Heritage Monument. The construction of the church began in 1594 and it was completed and consecrated in 1605. White marble structures, gilded altar with precious-stone inlay work and frescoes mark the church’s architecture. The cathedral’s beautiful façade can be seen from far. Wood, stone and gold sculptures adorn the altar.

‘Bom Jesus’ means ‘Infant Jesus’ or ‘Good Jesus’. Thousands of visitors come to this church every year. It is India’s first Minor Basilica. The Basililca of Bom Jesus houses the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier. He, along with St Ignatius Loyola, was instrumental in founding the order of Jesuits, also called the Society of Jesus.

The patron saint of Goa died in 1552. Abiding by his wishes, his remains were transferred to Goa a year after his death. Cosimo de Medici III, Grand Duke of Tuscany, gifted the mortal remains to the basilica. A silver casket holds the airtight glass coffin which contains the saint’s embalmed body. The casket was built by Giovanni Batista Foggini, a 17th century Florentine sculptor.

The saint inspires healing in devotees across the world. According to sources, the saint’s body has remained fresh during its transportation and housing in India. Christians and others come and visit the church as well as the saint’s casket. The casket is lowered for public viewing once in a decade, the last one being in 2004.

The Bom Jesus Basilica Art Gallery is housed on the floor above the tomb, overlooking it. The gallery has paintings from the life of the saint as well as those by Goan surrealist painter, Dom Martin.

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Surfing Scene In India

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Admin

Indians and surfing don’t really go together. But defying all norms, a lot of Indian youngsters are taking up this adventurous leisure activity. The addition of India as International Surfing Association’s 67th member helps the cause further.

Many surfing agencies and schools are coming up throughout the country’s coastline – especially on the western coast. Surfing Swamis is an ashram/surfing school in Mulki, in Karnataka. Though surfing in India is just sparking off, there are people who are willing to give it a try, especially with many Indians having a taste of it abroad. H2O, a water sports centre in Mumbai, is another venture. Besides surfing, other water sports such as SCUBA diving, snorkelling, parasailing and jet-skiing are taught here.

When people are on the lookout for symbols of lifestyle and personality, here’s one activity that will definitely stand out. It is an exclusive club of Indians who have taken this sport to a different level in the country. With more than 7,000kms of coastline, India promises a great deal of adventure for the followers of this sport. Goa, Mumbai, Cochin, and the islands of Lakshadweep and Andamans are the most common sites for surfing now.

Yachting events and regattas bring a lot of international surfers to India. The number of cruise ships visiting the country, too, has gone up.

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Lighthouses To Get A Lift

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Admin

Last Saturday, with the commissioning of a three-year, Rs 300-crore lighthouse tourism project by Union shipping minister G.K. Vasan, several lighthouses in India will be repaired and redone. The lighthouses that have remained closed for years or shut to the public will now be turned into tourist sites.

Already 13 lighthouses that have been closed to the public have been narrowed down for the project. Another plan is to erect a Rs 50-crore national heritage maritime museum at Mahabalipuram, near Chennai as well as a lighthouse museum on the Marina.

The city of Chennai has a long coastline and a set of serene beaches that extend into the suburbs. Turtle walking is a popular activity here. Scientists, tourists and enthusiast youngsters all join to protect the ecosystem of the turtles that come here to lay eggs. There are agencies that sponsor and fund such eco activities in Chennai and Mahabalipuram.

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