Gharial series 2009-10

Images of Gharials and crocodiles clicked at Katernia ghat wildlife sanctuary,India.

Gangetic Dolphin Videographed on River Girwa at Katernia ghat wildlife sanctuary.

During my last two visits to Katernia I unsuccessfully tried to photograph the dolphins but they always eluded my camera.They would always make their presence felt by diving out of the water for a fraction of second and disappear to pop out at the least expected place it was a frusturating experience.This time I decided to abandon the Idea of photographing them and decided to capture them on Video after a patient wait and with trial and error I was able to capture a glimpse of one on Video.

The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica ) is a fresh water dolphin which has recently been declared by Indian Government as its National Aquatic Animal.Its listed as Endangered species by the IUCN Red List.This species is thriving in the River Girwa in Katerniaghat sanctuary,UP,India.They can be easily spotted while boating on River Girwa.

White backed vultures spotted in Katernia.

 

Katernia ghat wildlife sanctuary is host to a flock of around hundred white backed vultures.This is another success story in the proud history of conservation efforts by the staff of the sanctuary.

 

White backed vultures [Gyps bengalensis]are in the IUCN Red List critically endangered species.This species, as well as the Indian and Slender-billed Vultures have suffered a 99 percent population decrease in India and nearby countries since the early 1990s. The decline has been widely attributed to poisoning by diclofenac, which is used as veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug , leaving traces in cattle carcasses which when fed on leads to kidney failure in birds.

When the population of this birds are declining on a rapid pace in the country katernia is rewriting the vulture conservation story, here they are thriving and are in good health whose perfect indicator is that they are breeding in the sanctuary.

 

Once they were a common sight in the whole of country but now they are spotted in isolated pockets.The major cause is in discriminate use of diclofenac by the livestock owners.In Katernia the socio economic status of the forest dwellers has been a major factor in the survival of this species.As per sanctuary officials the livestock owners in the villages are economically so weak that they are not even able to afford diclofenac for the treatment of their animals hence when they die their carcasses don't have traces of the drug hence reducing the risk to the vultures.Apart from this various steps have been taken by the park officials which include regular monitoring of the nesting sites of the vultures on the banks of Girwa.Sensitising the local population on the importance of vulture conservation.Advising the local veterinary drug sellers to not to stock diclofenac and informing the that the sale of the drug has been banned by the government, informing them about the substitute drug Meloxicam which has been tested to be safe for vultures and other scavenging birds.
All this has immensely contributed to the conservation of vultures in the sanctuary and i was informed that apart from white backed vulture the sactuary also has population of slender/long billed vultures and is also host to a migratory vulture [King Vulture] during the winter season.

Butterflies: the bounty of nature

One late autumn afternoon gazing out of the window I discovered a beautiful world among the blooming flowers.My instant instinct was to grab my camera and capture the marvel of nature before it was too late, and I missing it.presented below are some moments harnessed from the nature for you to enjoy.

Naag Panchami-The festival of Snake God.

Naag Panchami is one of the most important festivals in India celebrated to commemorate the existence of the snake god.
Celebrated on the fifth day of the moonlit-fortnight in the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar, this festival falls in the month of July /August according to the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated in various parts of the country amongst the community where it has been prevalent for long. The grandest celebrations can be seen in the southern India and in the states of Bengal and Maharashtra. The festival has religious significance too. It is believed that Snakes have been the savior of human race from the wrath of demons and also, that the earth is balanced on the head of on Shesh Naag.Presented below are some photographs taken on the occassion of the festival.






The Female cobra in full glory.





The fully hooded male cobra.




The Snake Charmer a study in concentration.





The Cobra Couple.




Snake charmer in company of Cobra.




Double Headed Snake.





A Double heade snake crawling.

Green Bee Eater

The Little Green Bee-eater,Scientific name [Merops orientalis], is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family. It is resides in a belt across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal and from Gambia to Ethiopia, the Nile valley, western Arabia and Asia through India to Vietnam.
Like other bee-eaters, this species is a richly coloured predominantly Green, slender bird. It is about 9 inches (16-18 cm) long with about 2 inches made up by the elongated central tail-feathers. The sexes cannot be determined visually.

Indian Roller

The Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis), also known as Blue Jay is a member of the roller family of birds that is found in tropical southern Asia from Iraq to Thailand. It is not migratory, but undertakes some seasonal movements. They are found in open grassland and light forest areas. It is known for the aerobatic displays of the male during the breeding season. Males and females are however not readily distinguishable. Several states in India have chosen it as their symbolic bird.It is the state bird of Karnataka an Indian state.