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Karnala
Bird Sanctuary, Raigad
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Karnala Bird sanctuary, trekkers' paradise
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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.
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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.
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Bird watching
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Accommodations:
The sanctuary has 2 Forest Rest Houses of
the Forest Department with 2 suites each. The reservation authority is Dy.C.F.
(Wildlife), Thane.
Address & Phone
Number:
Deputy Conservator of
Forests, (Wildlife),
Thane Wildlife Division, L.B.S.Marg, Naupada,
Thane (West),
Maharashtra India 400 602.
91-22-25402522
Wildlife
Sanctuaries in Maharashtra....
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