Place: Devalsari (Deolsari), Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Proposed Dates: 2-5 June 2016 (4D/3N)
Costs Rs.7500/- per person including food, stay and local transport (ex Dehradun), guide fees, community fees and a butterfly brochure. (Small scholarships available for deserving candidates.)
Maximum capacity: 15 people
We propose to organize a DiversityIndia meet to learn and document biodiversity of Devalsari region with special focus on Moths and Butterflies. We will set Moth Screens every night to attract moths and nature trails to document Butterflies and other biodiversity during daytime. Sanjay Sondhi a moth expert, who has done extensive research in the region will be conducting training on moth identification. The main focus is going to be systematic documentation of biodiversity, especially Moths and Butterflies. Devalsari, tucked away in the Aglar Valley, in Tehri Garhwal District, the home of the Jaunpuri's. The snow-capped peaks of the Mahabharat range in the Middle Himalayas, looming in the distance, marvelous deodar, oak and rhododendron forest, surrounded by terrace fields of Bangsil, Mauldhar, Udarsu and Naogaon villages.
The Pali Gad stream flows through Bangsil into the Aglar River, winding its way through a forest landscape with altitudes varying from 1,200 m at Thatyur up to 3,048 m at Nag Tibba, the highest peak in the area. The Shiva Temple at Devalsari, is said to have been built in the 1800's, is surround by tall deodar trees.
The local partner for this DiversityIndia meet is the Devalsari Environment Protection and Technology Development Society, a local youth group that is committed to promote nature-based livelihoods and promote nature conservation. More about them can be seen at www.devalsari.org. Devalsari is home to an array of biodiversity.
Mammals: Leopard, Barking Deer, Giant Red Flying Squirrel, Himalayan Water Shrew, Goral, Wild Pig, Black Bear, Otters...all this and more can be seen here.
Birds: Special birds that can be seen here include Chukar Partridge, Striated Laughingthrush, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Black-faced Warbler, Whiskered Yuhina, Golden Bush Robin, Mrs Gould's Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird and lots more...
Butterflies: Some of butterfly specialties are Common Punch, Siren, Brown Argus, Jewel Fivering, Stately Nawab, Western Courtier, Fawn Hairstreak, Silver Hairstreak and Albocerulean amongst many other West Himalayan Specialties.
Contact Sanjay Sondhi (or Arjan Basuroy) for registration.
