Great Himalayan Bird Count, winter of 2008

An initiative of

"ACTION & RESEARCH FOR CONSERVATION IN HIMALAYAS, DEHRADUN"– (ARCH)

Supported by UTTARAKHAND FOREST DEPARTMENT


TO ALL BIRDWATCHERS & NATURE LOVERS

A very happy Dipawali to you and your dear family members

Friends, I start this communication with a Bad news, that due to
the ongoing global financial crises and recession we have received a
dozen plus cancellations by participants for this bird count, so the
good news is that to cover this gap we are requesting bird lovers
once again to participate in this conservation initiative and for
this reason alone we have removed the late fee clause from our
registration process. So it is a golden opportunity now for bird
watchers to contribute in an important conservation initiative and
take back some wonderful himalayan trekking memories and experience
with great birds sightings.

Welcome to the amazing world of feathered friends from Uttarakhand
Himalayas; mentioned below please find our Registration Form,
proposed bird-count trail details and other necessary inputs for
your kind information.

As indicated in our Registration Form, you will also find three
choice options for count trails preferences to be made by you, but
with very popular count destination like Dayara; Dodital and Deoban
among many. I am sure most of you would like to prefer the most
popular destinations as your first choice option. But then you all
know it's not possible and practical to put everyone on these trails
at one go, so the final word on "which participant to put on what
team" will be left to our "Logistic Co-ordination Committee's" final
decision, but let me assure you once again that serious due
consideration will be given to each choice option requested by you.

As there is also the issue of balancing experienced birders
(especially considering their experience & familiarity with
Himalayan Bird Species) equally in each count trail for accurate
base-line data collection and birding guidance and motivation to
upcoming and new birders like many of you here.

Friends, let me assure you once again that each count trail is very
important and special from avian diversity point of view and apart
from this each count destination is also geographically unique
which became the reason for it to get selected in this "Great
Himalayan Bird Count – Winter 0f 2008". Moreover the good news is
this, that starting with fifteen groups in our very first bird-count
you can experience himalayan birding holidays for next fifteen years
without repeating a single location and that too at so little cost.

As nights are cold in mid November the organizers encourage the
participants to carry enough woolens with one set of inners and
their own sleeping bag for reasons of personal hygiene.

Friends as many of you are coming from very far-off places like
Chennai, Mumbai, Gujarat, down South and even overseas destinations,
so it was suggested by some participants if we at ARCH could make it
possible for them to stay a little longer in the Garhwal area after
the bird count. We would love to do it, if we get a group of around
7-8 people (Two people from Chennai have already given their consent
for this) The plan is to leave Dehradun after a day's rest on the
19th morning for Arakot (Himachal Pradesh) at the westernmost border
of Uttarakhand and then for almost a week, this group would travel
at leisure, escorted by professional and tested travel agency
escort and a celebrated birding guide Mr Yashpal Negi towards the
easternmost boundary of Garhwal i.e., Joshimath in district Chamoli.

During these seven days the group would undertake morning and
evening birding with one or two day-long mild treks and visiting
little known but bird-rich destinations like Arakot; Khooni Gaad
(famous for tallest pine trees in Asia); Mori; Jarmola Pass; Rarhi
Ka Danda; Uttarkashi; Nachiketa Tal (3 kms trek to this High
altitude lake); Pratapnagar (for magnificent view of Tehri Dam
Reservoir); Ghuttu (straight trek up to Reeh and back); Ghansali;
Kakragaad; Pipalkoti and Joshimath and also visiting places of
cultural and religious importance along the way. So go ahead and
plan your schedule accordingly.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

• Last Date to Submit Participation Form: 7th November, 2008
• Last Date to Submit Registration Fee (Rs 2,500/-): 7th
November, 2008
• Arrival Dehradun on 14th of May, 2008 by 0900 hrs for
orientation workshop.
• Count Days are 15th and 16th Nov, 2008
• Debriefing Workshop at Dehradun, by 1500 hrs on 17th of Nov,
2008

Recommended Field Guides for this bird-count exercise:

• "Birds of Northern India"
Authored by: Richard Grimmett & Tim Inskipp
Published by: Oxford University Press.

• "A Field Guide to the Birds of India"
Authored by: Krys Kazmierczak
Illustrated by: Ber Van Perlo

• "Pocket Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent"
Authored by: Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp & Tim Inskipp
Published by: Oxford University Press.

Friends it gives me great pleasure in sharing with you that we've
got some fantastic participation response to our invitation call and
allow me to use this opportunity to thank you all once again for the
same, but as we have only 15 groups and in each group we cannot take
more than 5-6 participants including 2-3 experienced birdwatchers
plus we also have to accommodate 2-3 school students and judging by
the 100+ participation requests that we have received for
participation so far, it seems that we'll have to adhere to the
policy of "first come –first serve" as all of you are very special
to us.

So it is in your own interest to kindly take an Registration
Initiative now by sending us the participation fee (Rs 2,500/- per
participant) which will cover modest FRH lodging & boarding plus the
cost of 4 days of travel by a dedicated Jeep allotted to your count-
group.

Please send your Registration Fee & Donations by Demand Draft
favoring:

"ACTION & RESEARCH FOR CONSERVATION IN HIMALAYAS, DEHRADUN"
and courier it to the address & tel. no. mentioned below latest by
3rd November, 2008:

Address for Courier :

Prateek Panwar
Founder Trustee
Action & Research for Conservation in Himalayas
2-B MDDA Enclave, Opp. Petrol Pump,
Sahastradhara Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 INDIA
Tel# 9412054216, (0135)2114649
Email: arch.birdcount@..., arch.birdcount@...

OR

Payment can also be made directly by depositing a cheque or cash on
any branch of Indian Bank in your town/city favoring "ACTION &
RESEARCH FOR CONSERVATION IN HIMALAYAS, DEHRADUN" into our Current
A/c No: 794568161 on INDIAN BANK, Branch Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

Note: Kindly intimate us by mail after depositing your payment in
our account


WE REQUEST YOU TO KINDLY OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING:

• Help us to maintain pollution-free environment in
Uttarakhand by bringing back all your plastic and polythene
waste.
• Avoid using pollutants, such as detergents in water streams
and springs.
• Do not light fires in open areas in order to prevent fire
hazards.
• Do not litter non-biodegradable waste materials like
plastic, water bottles and make judicious use of polythene
bags.
• Respect the privacy of individuals and take permission
before taking photographs of local people.
• Abstain from writing graffiti; instead click photographs to
make your visit lasting.
• Do not disturb and damage the precious Flora and Fauna of
the region as this natural heritage is with us to be passed
on to future generations safely.
• Respect religious and cultural sentiments while visiting the
holy places and villages.
• Where no toilet facilities are available, defecate at least
30 meters away from water sources & streams and cover your
waste.
• We expect that those participants who are traveling with
cameras will share their pictures and video with us, we may
use the photographs for extension, sensitization and in-
house publications and we assure to give due name-credit to
the photographer.
• Participants will be governed by the provisions of the
Indian Forest Act, 1927 & Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in
addition to the laws of the land.


CHECK LIST TO BE REFERRED BEFORE LEAVING YOUR STATION:

• Though basic medical aid facilities exist in mountain towns
but if you are on any special medication with known drug
allergies, kindly bring your own necessary medications
• Remember to carry a suitable headgear, (a cap is included in
the Great Himalayan Bird Count Field Kit in case you forget).
• Carry your own Rain Poncho, Pen Torch, Field Guide and
Binoculars
• Carry your own Sleeping Bag and Mattress or inform us to
arrange at actual extra cost @ Rs 25/- per day X 4 Days.
• Please carry appropriate clothing to merge with the forest
surroundings
• Carry One Heavy Duty Jacket/Sweater, Woolen Gloves, Wind
Cheater, Cotton Shirts & T-Shirts, Woolen Shocks, Muffler,
Pair of Sleepers, Rucksack (without frame), Cold Cream.
• Carry your own Insect Repellent sprays and ointments
• If you are a photographer, come prepared with film
rolls/extra memory cards and a wide and 300+ tele lens other
than your normal lens to capture the beauty of Garhwal
Himalayas and its magnificent birds diversity.
• Polarizer and graduated grey filters will be useful for
landscape photography.
• The BSNL mobile network with maximum reach does work (at
times) in most of the count area, along with other operators
with some network presence are, Reliance; Airtel; Idea and
Hutch.
• The local spring water is as good as bottled mineral water
but please carry your water bottles.


"Happy Birding and May you have many new sightings"


MESSAGE BY OUR SENIOR TRUSTEE

I am delighted to know that ARCH, in collaboration with the
Uttarakhand Forest Department, has organized the Great Himalayan
Bird Count of 2008. It has created tremendous enthusiasm among
birders within the State and across the country to participate in a
truly exciting event that will take them through some of the wildest
and most breathtaking landscapes of our inner Himalayas.

The wealth of bio-diversity of this region is truly astonishing. To
all those who are participating for the first time, I can only say
that the experience is bound to bring back many wonderful memories
and I am sure they would be lured to come back again and again. To
the more experienced, I would say that they will further enhance
their insight and understanding of one of natures greatest treasures.

S.K. Das
Chairman,
Public Service Commission, Uttarakhand
Place: Hardwar
Date: 22nd of Oct, 2008


WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE COUNT STEWARD

Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttarakhand
85 – Rajpur Road, Dehradun – 248001.
Letter Ref. No. 136 PA – PA Dehradun, Dated 20th Oct, 2008

Dear Bird Count Participants

It is indeed a pleasure to welcome you all on behalf on the forest
department of Uttarakhand for this important cause of avian
conservation.

Friends, Birdwatching today is fully recognized as an important tool
to initiate the process of inquiry into our natural world and
especially keeping in view our rapidly shrinking biological
diversity there is also an acute need to create more awareness and
appreciation for the biodiversity of all life-forms and their
complex linkages for sustainability in the natural world. So it can
be easily said, that by taking up bird watching, nature enthusiasts
and bird watchers from urban landscape have ventured more actively
to the outdoors to satisfy their natural urge to observe extra bird
species than they are already exposed to, which have brought them
face to face with many other enlightening and interesting
phenomena's of the natural world.

So today, when habitats and species are under enormous developmental
and human-population pressure, a timely base-line population
dynamics study like "The Great Himalayan Bird Count" will be highly
productive by not only providing us with the avian population
dynamics data but it will also act as an important sensitization
tool for motivating our youth from urban and rural landscapes to
seriously contemplate the idea of taking conservation as an academic
and career pursuit.

Here I'll especially like to mention that among all the disciplines
of biology, Ornithology is one such exception that has developed
largely because of the observations and contributions made by the
amateurs, otherwise our knowledge today, about bird migration and
their global migratory routes would not have been practically
possible.

Wishing you all the success in this important conservation
initiative and hoping that this initiative does not become a one-off
event and rather continues for many long years.

(Dr R.B.S. Rawat)
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
Uttarakhand



PARTICIPATION FORM

GREAT HIMALAYAN BIRD COUNT - WINTER OF 2008
(Nov, 14th to 17th, 2008)

Non-Transferable

Participant's Name:

Participant's Photograph: Kindly attach your latest scanned PP size
photograph with this application

Father's Name:

Date of Birth:

Nationality:

Organization Working for:
Designation:

Current Address (Residence):
City:
State:
Zip:

Address (Office):
City:
State:
Zip:

Permanent Address:
City:
State:
Zip:

Tel Numbers: (STD Code) (Office):
(Residence):
(Cell):
(Fax):
Email:
Alternate Email:
Website / URL (Office):
Website / URL (Personal):
Blog(s) Link:

Details of your Birding Skills, Trekking abilities and trekking
experience:
(Use separate sheets to describe in 100 words each for Birding &
Trekking experience)

For Participants from North India
Would you prefer to use your own car/vehicle during this exercise,
and can you accommodate other members of your count team in your
vehicle.
[ ] YES [ ] NO [ ] I don't mind accommodating
other participants

Please provide Seating Capacity of your Car/ Vehicle:

Do you want to recommend some school/college student for this
birding exercise as a future conservationist/Birder (Use separate
form to cater details)

Will you be carrying your own Sleeping Bag:
[ ] YES [ ] NO

Participation Fee Details:
DD#.............................. for Rs 2500/- on
Bank…………………………………….Dt………....

Pl. provide your arrival details at Dehradun on 14th May 2008 (Its
Important):

You will arrive on 14th May 2008 by:
[ ] Own Car [ ] Train [ ] Bus to Dehradun at 9 AM

Your Association with organizations of similar nature:
(Use Separate Sheet for details)

Would You Be Interested in Activities of similar nature in future:
[ ] YES [ ] NO

If there is more than one participant, please photocopy this form to
send details.

Please state your preference of Group:
1st Option:
2nd Option:
3rd Option:

Arrival: Date: …………………….. Time: …………………
Departure: Date: …………………….. Time: …………………

Blood Group:

Person to be contacted in Case of Emergency:
Name:
Relation with the Participant:
Address:
Tel Numbers with STD Codes:

Participants are requested to report at the Orientation Workshop
Venue at 9 AM on the 14th of November 2008 at the address given
below:

Manthan Conference Hall
Forest Office Campus
85 – Rajpur Road, Dila Ram Bazaar, Dehradun – 248001
Tel Nos. 9412054216, (0135) 2114649

NOTE: Participants will be governed by the provisions of the Indian
Forest Act, 1927 & Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in addition to the
laws of the land.

For any other query please contact:

Prateek Panwar
Founder Trustee ARCH
Action & Research for Conservation in Himalayas
2-B MDDA Enclave, Opp. Petrol Pump,
Sahastradhara Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 INDIA

Tel# 9412054216
(0135)2114649
Email: arch.birdcount@...
arch.birdcount@...

BIRD COUNT TREKS' DETAILS
(Please bear if there are some minute last minute changes)


Group: One

Total Days: Four days & two count trails
Base Camp: PUROLA (Distt. Uttarkashi)
Key Altitudes (M.): Dehradun: 635, Purola: 1433, Nauri: 2134,
Jarmola: 1646
Construction Year: FRH Nauri: 1955


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Purola

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun. lunch at
1.15 PM and start of onward journey to the count destination Purola
for night-stay by Jeep.

Drive Time: 5.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: FRH Purola


Day-2: 15-11-08: Purola to Nauri

7 kms uphill mild enjoyable trek through pine forest and further 2
km walk on the ridge through an old oak forest

Trek: 9 kms
Trek Duration: 4 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Nauri/ village before Nauri ?


Day-3: 16-11-08: Nauri to Jarmola Pass

Start of mild trek from Nauri FRH at 6 AM after tea to Jarmola Pass,
pack breakfast & lunch on the way

Trek: 19 kms
Trek Duration: 7-8 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Jarmola


Day-4: 17-11-08: Jarmola Pass to Dehradun

Start of return Journey to Dehradun by jeep after breakfast at
Jarmola, lunch on arrival at Dehradun and start of feedback &
debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, end of bird count exercise
after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 6.0 hrs
(End of our Logistic Responsibilities).



Group: Two

Total Days: Four days & two count trails
Base Camp: JARMOLA PASS, Purola (Distt. Uttarkashi)
Key Altitudes (M.): Dehradun: 635, Purola: 1433, Jarmola: 1646,
Construction Year: FRH Thadiyar: 1903


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Jarmola Pass

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, lunch at
1.15 PM and start of onward journey to the count destination Jarmola
Pass a little ahead of Purola for night-stay by Jeep.

Drive Time: 6 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: FRH Jarmola Pass


Day-2: 15-11-08: Jarmola to Sandra

Start of 15 kms downhill enjoyable road-walk to Mori through pine
forest at 5 AM, breakfast on the way, pick-up by Jeep for onward
journey to Mori for lunch, further onward journey by Jeep to Sandra
FRH for night stay

Trek: 10 kms downhill road walk, pickup by jeep for Sandra
Trek Duration: 3 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Sandra
Drive Time: total 1 hour by Jeep


Day-3: 16-11-08: Sandra to Thadiyar

Start of mild road-walk from Sandra FRH at 5.30 AM after bed tea to
Thadiyar FRH, breakfast on arrival. Local Visit to Shri Mahasu
temples at Thadiyar and Hanol after lunch at Thadiyar.

Trek: ??? kms
Trek Duration: 3 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Thadiyar


Day-4: 17-11-08: Thadiyar to Dehradun

Start of return Journey at 4.30 AM to Dehradun by jeep after early
morning breakfast at Thadiyar, lunch on arrival at Dehradun and
start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of
bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 8 hrs
End of our Logistic Responsibilities).



Group: Three

Total Days: Four days & five count trails
Base Camp: RAMPUR MANDI near Paonta Sahib & Asan
Conservation Reserve
Key Altitudes (M.): Rampurmandi:401, Kulhal:455,Sahiya:1092,
Kalsi:405, Dakpathar:790
Construction Year: FRH Karwa Pani: 1885, FRH Kalsi 1881



Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Asan Barrage

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Asan Wetland Conservation
Reserve, near Paonta Sahib by Jeep

Start of bird count at 4 PM same day by walking along the Yamuna
towards Paonta Sahib till sunset

Trek: Casual walk of 3-4 kms along the river Yamuna
Trek Duration: 1.5 hrs
Drive Time: 1.5 hrs
Night Halt: Rampur Mandi FRH


Day-2: 15-11-08: Asan Barrage

Start of water birds count at all the three water bodies at Asan
Conservation Reserve from sunrise to sunset

Trek: Total easy walk 2 kms
Count Duration: Whole day at Asan Wetlands
Night Halt: Rampur Mandi FRH


Day-3: 16-11-08: Asan to Kalsi to Sahiya and back to Asan

Start of Journey to Sahiya at 4.30 AM by Jeep and easy walk along
the road to Kalsi and pick-up by jeep on arrival at Kalsi and return
Journey to Rampur Mandi for late lunch

Drive Time: 2.5 hrs in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening
Trek: Easy walk of 15 kms along the road
Trek Duration: 5 hrs

Start of walk at 4 PM along the Yamuna river towards Dakpathar

Trek: Easy walk of 5 kms
Trek Duration: 2 hrs
Night Halt: Rampur Mandi FRH


Day-4: 17-11-08: Asan to Karwa pani to Dehradun

Start of Journey at 5 AM by driving to Timli FRH for morning tea,
count begins at 5.30 AM by walking 7 Kms on the Karwa Pani forest
road, pick-up by jeep for onward journey to Dehradun via Karwa Pani
FRH at 10 AM start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: Asan to Karwa Pani 0.5 hrs by Jeep
Drive Time: Karwa Pani to Dehradun 1.5 hrs by Jeep

End of our Logistic Responsibilities).



Group: Four

Total Days: Four days & two count trails
Base Camp: Chakrata (District Dehradun)
Key Altitudes (M.): Chakrata: 2287, Deoban: 2876, Kanasar: 2188.


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Chakrata

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of onward Journey to Chakrata

Drive Time: 4.0 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Chakrata FRH


Day-2: 15-11-08: Chakrata to Deoban

Mild Uphill Trek from Chakrata to Deoban

Trek: 12 kms uphill
Trek Duration: 6 hrs
Night Halt: Deoban FRH


Day-3: 16-11-08: Deoban to Kanasar

Downhill Trek from Deoban to Kanasar

Trek: 9 kms
Trek Duration: 4 hrs
Night Halt: Kanasar FRH


Day-4: 17-11-08: Kanasar to Dehradun

Start of journey to Dehradun after breakfast by jeep lunch at
Dehradun and start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 5.5 hrs by Jeep
End of our Logistic Responsibilities).



Group: Five
Note: To put Local birders in this group

Total Days: Three days & two count trails
Base Camp: KEMPTI FRH (District Dehradun) near Mussoorie
Key Altitudes (M.): Mussoorie:1900,Kempti:1372,Vinog Peak: 2300.
Construction Year: FRH Kempti: 1923


Day-1: 14-11-08: Deharadun to Mussoorie

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Mussoorie for night-stay by our
vehicle.

Drive Time: 2.0 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: PWD Inspection House, Mussoorie


Day-2: 15-11-08: Mussoorie to Kempti Falls

Start of Journey to Company Garden by Jeep at 6.00AM and start of
trek from Company Garden to Cloud's End and then down to Dhobighat.
pack breakfast and lunch on the way

Drive Time: 45 minutes
Trek: 8.5 kms
Trek Duration: 3-4 hrs
Night Halt: Kempti FRH


Day-3: 16-11-08: Kempty Falls to Dehradun

Start of Journey to Library (Mussoorie) by Jeep and start of
downhill trek from Library to Bhatta Falls. And start of return
journey to Dehradun for night halt.

Drive Time: 30 minutes in the morning & 2.5 hrs in the evening
Trek: 5 kms
Trek Duration: 2.5 hrs
Night Halt: ARCH office, Dehradun


Day-4: 17-11-08: Dehradun

This Team will help the organizers with data compilation upto
lunchtime. Start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)


Group: Six

Total Days: Four days & two count trails
Base Camp: JANKICHATTI (District Uttarkashi) on way
to Sh Yamnotri Dham

Key Altitudes (M.): Jankichatti: 2575,Yamotri:3165,Barkot:1372,
Hanumanchatti: 2400, Sayana Chatti: 2134.
Construction Year: FRH Janki Chatti: 1974, FRH Barkot: 1965,
FRH Hanuman Chatti: 1938


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Janki Chatti

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, lunch at
1.15 PM and start of Journey to Jankichatti by Jeep

Drive Time: 7 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Jankichatti


Day-2: 15-11-08: Jankichatti to Sh Yamnotri ji

Start of Trek to Yamnotri Shrine and back in the evening

Trek: 5 kms uphill and 5 kms downhill
Trek Duration: Uphill 5 hrs and downhill 3 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Jankichatti


Day-3: 16-11-08: Hanuman Chatti to Barkot

Start of trek to Hanumanchatti by road and further journey to Barkot
by Jeep

Trek: 10 kms by road
Trek Duration: 5 hrs
Drive Time: 2 hrs
Night Halt: Barkot FRH


Day-4: 17-11-08: Barkot to Dehradun

Start of return journey to Dehradun by jeep after breakfast at 6 AM
and lunch on arrival at Dehradun and start of feedback & debriefing
session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at
6 PM

Drive Time: 5 hrs by Jeep

End of our Logistic Responsibilities).


Group: Seven
Note: To put Local birders in this group

Total Days: Three days & three count trails
Base Camp: DHANOLTI (District Tehri)
Key Altitudes (M.): Dhanolti: 2286m, Kaddukhal: 7,500 fts.,
Sarkunda Devi:9999 fts, Nali: 1624m,
Sahastradhara: 624m.
Construction Year: FRH Dhanolti: 1918


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Dhanolti

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Dhanolti FRH for night-stay by
jeep.

Drive Time: 3.0 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Dhanolti FRH


Day-2: 15-11-08: Dhanolti to Surkunda Devi to Dhanolti

Start of mild enjoyable road-walk after tea at 5 AM. breakfast at
Kaddukhal, then small uphill trek to Sarkunda Devi Peak and return
to Dhanolti via same route for evening birding, .a small birding
talk cum workshop at govt. school at Kaddukhal during the day

Road-Walk: 10 kms
Trek: 1.5 kms to Surkunda Devi
Trek Duration: 1 Hr
Night Halt: Dhanolti FRH


Day-3: 16-11-08: Dhanolti to Dehradun

Start of downhill trek from village Sarona to Sahastradhara at 5 AM
and pick-up by Jeep on arrival at Sahastradhara

Trek: 10 kms
Trek Duration: 5 hrs
Night Halt: ARCH office, Dehradun

Day-4: 17-11-08: Dehradun

This Team will help the organizers with data compilation upto
lunchtime. Start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)



Group: Eight

Total Days: Four days & two count trails
Base Camp: UTTARKASHI
Key Altitudes (M.): Uttarkashi: 1188, Sangamchatti:1350,
Agoda:2250, Dodital: 3310,Kalyani: 1829.
Construction Year: FRH Kotbangla:???


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Uttarkashi

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Uttarkashi for night-stay by our
vehicle.

Drive Time: 7.0 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Uttarkashi FRH Kotbangla


Day-2: 15-11-08: Uttarkashi to Dodital

Early start of short 12 kms drive by jeep to Sangamchatti at 4 AM,
start of bird count from Sangamchatti to Agoda in an uphill trek of
5 kms. Breakfast on arrival.

Drive Time: 30 minutes by Jeep
Trek: To Agoda 5 kms uphill
Trek Duration: 2.5 hrs
Trek: To Dodital 16 kms moderate with a 3.5 kms uphill section
Trek Duration: 6-8 hrs
Night Halt: Dodital FRH


Day-3: 16-11-08: Dodital to uttarkashi

Start of downhill trek to Sangam Chatti with a section of mild
uphill of 1.5 kms midway

Trek: 21 kms
Trek Duration: 7-9 hrs
Night Halt: Uttarkashi FRH Kotbangla


Day-4: 17-11-08: Uttarkashi to Dehradun

Early start of return Journey at 4 AM and lunch on arrival at
Dehradun and start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 7 Hrs

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities).



Group: Nine

Total Days: Four days & two count trails
Base Camp: BHATWARI (Uttarkashi)

Key Altitudes (M.): Uttarkashi:1188, Bhatwari: 1210 Barsu: ???,
Construction Year: FRH Bhatwari: FRH Agoda: ???


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Bhatwari

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Bhatwari via Uttarkashi for night-
stay by jeep.

Drive Time: 7.0 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Bhatwari FRH



Day-2: 15-11-08: Bhatwari to Dyara via Barsu

Early start of short 15 kms drive by jeep to Barsu village at 4 AM,
start of bird count from Barsu to Dyara in an uphill trek of 8 kms.

Drive Time: 45 Minutes by Jeep (12 kms)
Trek: 8 kms uphill
Trek Duration: 5 hrs
Night Halt: Tents & logistic courtesy Camp Hammock at Dyara Bugyal.


Day-3: 16-11-08: Dyara to Bhatwari Via Raithal

Start of downhill trek at 6 AM to Raithal Village

Trek: 7 kms
Trek Duration: 4 hrs
Drive Time: 30 minutes (10 kms)
Night Halt: Bhatwari FRH


Day-4: 17-11-08: Bhatwari to Dehradun

Early start of return Journey at 4 AM and lunch on arrival at
Dehradun and start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 8 Hrs

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities).



Group: Ten

Total Days: Four days & two count trails
Base Camp: GHUTTU
Key Altitudes (M.): Ghuttu: 1524, Reeh: 2132, Gangi:2500,
Ghansali: 974.
Construction Year: FRH Ghansali: 1988,


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Ghuttu

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, lunch at
1.15 PM and start of onward Journey to Ghuttu by Jeep

Drive Time: 6-7 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Ghuttu FRH


Day-2: 15-11-08: Ghuttu to Reeh

Start of casual trek of 10 kms to Reeh TRH

Trek: 10 kms
Trek Duration: 3 hrs
Night Halt: GMVN TRH at Reeh


Day-3: 16-11-08: Reeh to Ghuttu

Start of return trek to Ghuttu for night stay

Trek: 10 kms
Trek Duration: 4 hrs
Night Halt: Ghuttu TRH


Day-4: 17-11-08: Ghuttu to Dehradun

Start of return Journey to Dehradun after tea at 4.30 AM, breakfast
at NTT FRH and lunch on arrival at Dehradun and start of feedback &
debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of bird count exercise
after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 6-7 hrs by Jeep
(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)



Group: Eleven

Total Days: Four days & three count trails
Base Camp: Govt. Inter College, Village Kharsara
(Distt Tehri)
Key Altitudes (M.): Devprayag: 600, Rishikesh: 335,
Construction Year: FRH Devprayag:


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Deoprayag

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Devprayag by jeep.

Drive Time: 3.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: FRH Devprayag



Day-2: 15-11-08: Deoprayag to Kharsara

Start of casual road-walk along Bhagirithi to Kharsara after tea at
5.30 AM. lunch on arrival. workshop on bird watching in the evening
with local school children and experience sharing.

Trek: mild road walk of 16 kms
Trek Duration: 6 hrs
Night Halt: Govt. Inter College, village Kharsara



Day-3: 16-11-08: Kharsara to Ranichauri

Start of downhill trek of 10-12 kms to Koteshwar Dam site, pick-up
by jeep for onward journey to Camp Hammock, Ranichauri, near New
Tehri for night-halt

Trek: 10-12 kms
Trek Duration: 3 hrs
Drive Time: 2.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Camp Hammock, Ranichauri


Day-4: 17-11-08: Ranichauri to Dehradun

Start of Morning Count after tea. Breakfast at Camp and start of
awareness workshop at 8 AM with local school children upto 10 AM
Start of onward journey for Dehradun for lunch. And start of
feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of bird count
exercise after tea at 6 PM

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)



Group: Twelve

Total Days: Four days & three count trails
Base Camp: KAKRAGAAD (Distt Rudraprayag)
Key Altitudes (M.): Agastmuni: 735, Sonprayag: 1829,
Rudraprayag: 610, Okhimath: 1319,
Chandrapuri: 850.
Construction Year: FRH Agastmuni: 1970


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Augustmuni

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Augustmuni

Drive Time: 4.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: PG College, Augustmuni (Distt. Rudraprayag)


Day-2: 15-11-08: Augustmuni to Kakragaad

Early morning bird watching with PG College students from 5.30 AM to
7 AM in-and-around Augustmuni before breakfast. Start of bird count
walk to Kakragaad along Mandakini river at 7.30 AM. lunch on arrival
at camp. Evening birding with Mr Yashpal Negi in a nearby area.

Trek: Casual Road-walk of 12-14 kms
Trek Duration: 3.5 hrs
Night Halt: Mandakini Magpie Birdwatchers Camp, Kakragaad.


Day-3: 16-11-08: Kakragaad to Ukhimath

Start of bird count on an 9 kms uphill mild trek to Ukhimath. lunch
on arrival. Visit to the famous winter seat of "Lord Kedarnath Ji"
at Ukhimath, night stay at PWD Inspection bungalow.

Trek: uphill mild trek of 9 kms
Trek Duration: 4.5 hrs
Night Halt: PWD Inspection bungalow, Ukhimath


Day-4: 17-11-08: Ukhimath to Dehradun

Start of return journey to Dehradun after tea at 4.30 AM, breakfast
at Agyustmuni College and lunch on arrival at Dehradun and start of
feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of bird count
exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 6-7 hrs by Jeep

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)




Group: Fourteen

Total Days: Four days & two count trails
Base Camp: GOPESHWAR
Key Altitudes (M.): Gopeshwar: 1600, Mandal:???,


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Gopeshwar

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of long drive to Gopeshwar

Drive Time: 8.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Gopeshwar


Day-2: 15-11-08: Gopeshwar to Mandal via Kanchula Kharak

Early start of onward journey to Kanchula Kharak at 4.30 AM after
tea, breakfast on arrival, short visit to Musk Deer Farm and start
of downhill road walk to Mandal for lunch.

Trek: ??? kms
Trek Duration: 4 hrs
Night Halt: Mandal FRH


Day-3: 16-11-08: Mandal to Gopeshwar

Start of bird count after early breakfast at 6.30 AM by walking on
the road to Gopeshwar for lunch.

Trek: 12 kms
Trek Duration: 7 hrs
Night Halt: Gopeshwar


Day-4: 17-11-08: Gopeshwar to Dehradun

Early start of Return Journey to Dehradun at 4 AM, lunch on arrival
at Dehradun and start of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at
Manthan, End of bird count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 8 hrs by Jeep

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)



Group: Fifteen

Total Days: Four days & four count trails
Base Camp: RASIABARH (Jhilmil Tal Conservation Reserve)
Key Altitudes (M.): Haridwar: 294,
Construction Year: FRH Rasiabarh: 1889


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Rasiabad

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of Journey to Rasia Bad, evening at leisure

Drive Time: 1.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: FRH Rasia Bad
IMPORTANT CAUTION: Participants are requested to stay with-in the
boundaries of FRH Campus at all times (Wild Elephant Area)


Day-2: 15-11-08: Jhilmil Tal Conservation Reserve

Start of count after breakfast by driving short distance by jeep to
Jhilmil Tal Conservation Reserve

Drive Time: 0.5 hrs by Jeep one way
Night Halt: FRH Rasia Bad
IMPORTANT CAUTION: Participants are requested to stay with-in the
boundaries of FRH Campus at all times (Wild Elephant Area)


Day-3: 16-11-08: Ban Ganga Wetland

Start of drive to Ban Ganga Wetland after breakfast, return by
evening to Rasis Bad FRH

Drive Time: 2 hrs by Jeep one way
Distance: 70 kms one way on Laksar-Purkaji Road
Night Halt: FRH Rasia Bad
IMPORTANT CAUTION: Participants are requested to stay with-in the
boundaries of FRH Campus at all times (Wild Elephant Area)


Day-4: 17-11-08: Rasia Bad to Dehradun

Start of onward journey to Bhim Gauda Barrage after tea at 5 AM for
bird count till 8 AM, start of return journey for Dehradun and start
of feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of bird
count exercise after tea at 6 PM

Drive Time: 2.5 hrs by Jeep

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)



Group: Sixteen

Total Days: Three days & two count trails
Base Camp: PAURI
Key Altitudes (M.): Pauri: 1814, Shrinagar: 572, Khirsu:???
Construction Year: FRH Khirsu: 1902


Day-1: 14-11-08: Dehradun to Pauri

11 AM Start of orientation workshop at Manthan, Dehradun, then lunch
at 1.15 PM and start of onward Journey to Pauri.

Drive Time: 4.5 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: FRH Pauri or PWD Inspection House


Day-2: 15-11-08: Pauri to Khirsu

Start of Count after bed tea by driving 8 kms distance by jeep to
Buwa Hkal, enroute to Khirsu

Drive Time: 0.5 hrs by Jeep one way
Trek: 11 kms plain road walk through beautiful forest ridge
Trek Duration: 4 hrs
Night Halt: FRH Khirsu


Day-3: 16-11-08: Khirsu to Ranichauri via Shrinagar

Start of bird count after breakfast downhill trek to Shrinagar,
after lunch at Shrinagar and start of onward journey to Camp
Hammock, Ranichauri, near New Tehri for night-halt.

Trek: 8-9 Kms downhill trek
Trek Duration: 3.5 hrs
Drive Time: 3 hrs by Jeep
Night Halt: Camp Hammock, Ranichauri


Day-4: 17-11-08: Ranichauri to Dehradun

Start of Morning Count after tea. Breakfast at Camp and start of
awareness workshop at 8 AM with local school children upto 10 AM
Start of onward journey for Dehradun for lunch. And start of
feedback & debriefing session at 3 PM at Manthan, End of bird count
exercise after tea at 6 PM

(End of our Logistic Responsibilities)