ButterflyIndia Day 2008

4th October 2001 is the foundation day of ButterflyIndia group. Last years we have been discussing about Celebrating this Day as ButterflyIndia Day. Let us do it from this year.

Since it is convenient to celebrate on a weekend, and ButterflyIndia Meet in Uttarakhand is happening in the same week, for this year we are proposing to celebrate on 12th October 2008 weekend. We need not restrict to the weekend but some activities may be done during the preceding week.

How are we celebrating ?

Innovative ides are welcome but here some
- Organise an outing to introduce new friends to Butterfly Watching
- Organise slide shows in Schools, Colleges, Institutes, Nature Clubs etc.
- Organise a Photo Exhibition
- Put up a web exhibition and publicise it
- Prepare Butterfly posters and distribute
....
Do suggest more ideas.

We will also put a schedule of all the celebrations on the blog. So it will help other members from your city to contact those who are organising events.

FAQ ButterflyIndia Meet 2008: U

[This document is being updated frequently.]

What is this Meeting / Meet / Workshop / Seminar / Conference is officially called ?

"ButterflyIndia Meet- 2 2008: U" Uttarakhand (September 29, 2008)

How do I Register for the meet ?

Send email to Amol (power_amol@yahoo.com) and cc to Vijay (vijay.barve@gmail.com). For this meet advance payment of INR 2ooo is to be paid to "Tekdi Eco Services Private Limited", Account number: 033805003140 of ICICI, Kothrud Branch, Pune. The deadline for the payment is 15^th September 2008. Please inform to above email after you have paid.

Should I bring Sleeping bag there?

Yes, it is a must. Bring sleeping bag and mattress with you. Basic bedding is required.

Is it expected to Rain there? Should I bring Raincoat / Umbrella?

As the season is in its end monsoon phase so there may be rain may not be. So at least an umbrella and few plastic cover for camera, binox you should bring.


What kind of accommodation will be available?

The stay is made in the hotel Himalayan Paradise at Chakrata.

What is the program schedule like ? Is the talk "blah blah" going to be there? How much time is allocated for outdoor sessions ?

the focus of this meet is to explore the butterfly diversity of the area. So there will be nature trails during major part of the day. There will be discussions at the rooms for identification and related topics. Participants are welcome to share their knowledge through talks.

What kind of food will be available?

Simple Vegetarian food will be there.

How do I reach there?

Details are posted on Yahoo group as well as this blog.

What are the things I should carry along with me ?

1. Sleeping bag & Mattress
2. Light warm clothes
3. Umbrella/ Rain-coat
4. Personal medicines
5. Mosquito repellant cream
6. Torch, Candle & Matchbox
7. Rope & Polythene sheath for rain protection in the field
8. Cap
9. Water bottle
10. Extra battery pack for camera, torch etc.
11. Note book & Pencil
12. Field guide of butterflies

I still have questions

Write to Amol Patwardhan – power_amol@yahoo.com or call 9820962452
Pinakin Karve - pinakin.karve@gmail.com

How to reach Uttarakhand Meet site

Getting to Dehradun

One can get to Dehradun, by 3 routes, road, rail and by air.

By road- Roadways Buses of all types (AC, non AC dlx. Semi dlx and ordinary) run from Kashmiri gate ISBT all the time. Most of the buses run at 10.30 pm from Delhi and reach at 5.00 am to ddn. By bus it’s a 7 hrs journey. One Can reach by own car even in the same time (7hrs.) via Meerut (bypass), Muzaffar nagar (bypass) Roorkee, Mohand.

By Rail-

One can travel by the Dehradun express which starts from Bombay. It’s a 40 hour long journey. Other options are getting to Delhi and traveling by trains like

1. Mussoorie express - (from old Delhi Rly Stn) 10.25 pm from Delhi and reach at 7.00 am to dehradun
2. Jan Shatabdi express (Ac and non Chair car) from New Delhi Rly St. - 3.00 pm from Delhi and reach at 9.30 pm at DDn
3. Nizamuddin A/c Express from Nizamuddin Rly stn start at 11.00 pm from Delhi and reach at 6.00 am at ddn.
4. Shatabdi Express. From New Delhi Rly Sty 6.30 am from Delhi and reach at Dehradun 12.30 noon.
5. Dehradoon Express came from Mumbai (please do not use this as it’s very slow from Delhi to Dehradun)
6. Okha Express came from Okha via Delhi (While coming from Delhi usually the timings are indefinite)

By Air - Doon has a tiny airport called JollyGrant. Its quite far from the main town and is on the Doon- Haridwar road. Not sure of what flights one can take to get here.


More details on where to report for pickup will be announce soon here.

Special thanks to Rekha W and Bhumesh Bharti for information

Chakrata Meet : Registration

The expendeture for the meet is INR 3500, which includes Travel from Deheradun to Deharadun, stay and simple vegitaraian food. Please make advance payment to confirm your participation. Members are requested to deposit INR 2000 to the ICICI account of 'Tekdi Eco services Private Limited' account number 033805003140 at Kothrud Branch, Pune. The last date for the payment is 15 Sept. 2008.

The members who are coming to Dehradun are requested to gather near Main reservation counter by 8.00 AM on 29 Sept.  We will travel together from Dehradun. Chakrata is 2.5-3 hrs journey. Please note that the road to Chakrata is narrow and controlled by Indian Army. So every alternate 2 hrs. only one way traffic is allowed. 

The program of the meet is going to be full of field sessions and interactive sessions on topics related to butterflies like identification, conservation etc. 

Amol Patwardhan

9820962452