ButterflyIndia

Goa Meet 2009 : Payment Details

2009-07-08T22:02:00.002+05:30

Total meet expenses will be Rs. 3000 from Panjim to Panjim. (Depending on number of participants, we expect it to be less).
Registration Amount: Rs. 2000. (50% refundable in case of cancellation done by 15 Sept. 09. Later on it will be decided depending upon the number of participants).
Please deposit the cheque in any ICICI ATM account in the country.
After deposition of the cheque please mail to me the details of the cheque.
Parag Rangnekar. ICICI bank. Acc. No: 001501008063.

In case of any clarification contact Amol 9820962452 or Parag 9822129811

Program Schedule : Goa 2009

2009-06-23T23:40:00.003+05:30

[This is tentative program and may undergo changes in coming few days]

Day 1: 26th September 09 Saturday
- Arrival at Panjim early morning.
- Travel to Bondla and breakfast on the way. It is 55 km, one and half hour from Panjim.
- Room allocation and freshen up
11.00 AM Formal Inauguration, Introduction of participants, tentative program of the meet etc.
12.30 to 13.30 Lunch
13.30 onwards Field visit
19.00 to 21.00 Tea, discussion, slide shows etc.
21.00 Dinner
21.30 - Light trap for moths

Day 2: 27th September 2009 Sunday
Travel to Tambdi Surla. 35 km. from Bondla Field visit for the entire day.
Packed lunch will be taken.
Back to base camp at Bondla Evening freshen up Discussion, slide shows, screening etc
21.00 Dinner
21.30 - Light trap for moths

Day 3 28th September 2009, Monday
Travel to Dudh Sagar via Mollem/Collem 50 km from Bondla
Field visit for the entire day.
Packed lunch will be taken.
Back to base camp at Bondla Evening freshen up Discussion, slide shows, screening etc
21.00 Dinner
21.30 - Light trap for moths

Day 4 29th September 2009, Tuesday
Travel to Netravalli. 90 km from Bondla. The journey will commence in early morning.
Field visit for the entire day.
Packed lunch will be taken.
Back to base camp at Bondla Evening freshen up Discussion, slide shows, screening etc
21.00 Dinner
21.30 - Light trap for moths

Day 5 30th September 2009, Wednesday
Morning field visit at Bondla
Valedictory/ Thanks giving session
Lunch
Disperse
----------------

Invitation : ButterflyIndia Meet 9 : Goa 2009

2009-05-22T21:28:00.004+05:30

Dear Friends,

We are happy to inform you that the ButterflyIndia Meet 2009 is being planned from 26th-30th September 2009 in Goa. We are planning to organize it in Bondla WLS. Further details would be available on the group and here soon.

To express interest in the meet please enter your name here

Best Photo of 2008

2008-12-24T05:16:00.057+05:30

Here are the Best Photo of 2008 by members of ButterflyIndia. Click on the image for full size.

Two Common Mime (Papilio clytia) butterflies are on the Jatropha pandurifolia.Photographed at B.Garden/Howrah, West Bengal
PARTHA PRATIM SAHA [parthapratim.sh@gmail.com]

A Common Silverline is resting on a leaf against dark background. I like its wing texture. Shot at Howrah.
PARTHA PRATIM SAHA [parthapratim.sh@gmail.com]

Pea Blue on buds. The blurred background makes it perfect. Shot at Kolkata.
PARTHA PRATIM SAHA [parthapratim.sh@gmail.com]

This butterfly picture was taken in "Bauxa tiger reserve forest". I enjoyed the company of this punchinello for some minutes when it sits on my finger. One of the most beautiful MOMENT.
apollo hell frost [apollohellfrost@yahoo.co.in]

This one is taken in late afternoon in "Bauxa tiger reserve forest".
apollo hell frost [apollohellfrost@yahoo.co.in]

This spotted swordtail I shot near Vihar Lake, SGNP-Mumbai.
During the hot season of summer, when the B.flies gather for mud puddling, this beauty was seen sitting at the same place for quite long time. But, while sucking the minerals from the dump soil, it was discharging a kind of liquid from its vent. That is the query I have, along with proposing it as the photo of the year.
Rajesh Sachdev [leopardguy@gmail.com]

This was clicked in this monsoon at Yeoor
Yuwaraj Gurjar. [yuwarajg@yahoo.com]

Shot this at SGNP in the month of Oct.The day was gloomy but at this perticular moment sun peeped out from coluds an allowed me to get this shot.
Nikon D50, Sigma 70-300 apo macro.
avinash sant [avinashsant@yahoo.com]

Got this rare butterfly in Sikkim's Butterfly Park [under construction] at Rangrang. Protected under the Wildlife Protection Act [1972] on Scheule 1, this dainty butterfly enjoys the same status as the Tiger or Elephant.

Usha Lachungpa was there when we almost overlooked this butterfly perched motionless, despite so many BNHS Members flocking to see this rare find.

Isaac Kehimkar [isaackehimkar@yahoo.co.in]

This Butterfly is very known to you all, (Spot Swordtail). This photo was taken in Mumbai SGNP.

Special about it is------- This is first Butterfly I photographed by my First Digital camera (SAMSUNG S630 6mpx 3X) which I purchased this year only.

While capturing it---------- I got fascinated as I saw it, and ran after it to capture photo... it was afternoon time and the sword was flanking in air very flexibly. I was really chasing it like mad. I had tried to go very slowly, I jumped, I ran, I waited and many more after long period of trials I finally got a shot of this butterfly seating 10 feets away from me, and with my handycam I was unable to zoom to get clear and closer picture. So finally I satisfied my self with a distant photo in which butterfly was not recognisable easily. Nearly after 1hr and 1.5 km (approx.) of I got tired and started walking towards gate to search other things.

God's Grace ------ And What a surprise! Swortail was seating right in front of me with open winged posture. And that was the time I Clicked it patiently for my more surprise the butterfly was there for 2-3 minutes. I clicked First Butterfly Photo Very Clearly in My Life.

So I would like to present it as MY PHOTO OF THE YEAR 2008

Sachin Chorge [sachinvch@gmail.com]

My interest in Lepidoptera is very recent and certainly I do not have as big a collection of images as you all do. Partha, those are some stunning images! I must say. Here's one image of the Emigrant that has found a special place in my heart.

Lavannya [lgoradia@yahoo.co.uk]

Here is my 2nd best and favourite picture of 2008.
This picture is close to me as it captures for me the moment when I first came across butterflies roosting together. They were hanging from the shrub like leaves from a branch! And despite their strong colour, these butterflies had perfectly blended into the background. I noticed them while I was photographing a Lycaenid nearby. This was shot early morning in early winter of this year in the 'wasteland' near my home.
I took this shot at some distance as I did not want to disturb the butterflies. This image has been cropped and auto adjusted-mainly to compensate for the low light conditions.

JANAKI TURAGA [janakituraga@yahoo.com]

2008 was a great year for me as far as shooting of butterflies is concerned as I made it to Duars Butterfly meet with lots of new species along with coming to Hyderabad on transfer & exploring many new areas. It was a year when I really took to shooting of Butterflies.
Seen here is Tiny Grass Blue (Zizula gaika) with Preying Mantis on Croton bonplandianus in Hyderabad, AP on 13/9/08. What's interesting I couldn't see the Preying Mantis even though taking many shots. I realised it only after I saw it on my computer. Preying Mantis is yet to be identified.

J.M. Garg [jmgarg1@gmail.com]

Here is my contribution which is simply amaturish.
Firstly i am learning both - butterflys and photography as well !
This picture was taken at Bhimashanker and it was so amusing
to myself only running after this Danaid Eggfly to settle------
and at last managed to capture it.My first butterfly picture.

bindu kapadia [bindukapadia@yahoo.co.in]

Vindhyan bob Arnetta vindhiana Wet Season Form.
Clicked at SGNP, Mumbai on 30 Aug 08.

amol patwardhan [power_amol@yahoo.com]

As we climbed down the Tikona fort hill, balancing with the tripod in one hand and the photography equipment, we came near small water stream.
Under the trees, close to the stream, this lovely butterfly was sitting on the Sonki flower in the sun. The golden light transformed this butterfly into a beautiful ornament.
I threw my tripod aside and held the camera and lens as tight as possible to reduce the shake and took the 5 images with manual focus till the butterfly allowed.
The butterfly is Leptosia Nina (Psyche).

Vivek Kale [vivekkale_pune@yahoo.co.in]

The image of this beautiful tiny butterfly was taken near the backwaters of Chasskaman dam near Bhimashankar. This time I got the ample time to use my tripod and remote.
One of my very few images of butterflies taken using tripod and remote.(Angled Pierrot Caleta Caleta). The image was taken using Canon EOS 350 D with Sigma 150 mm macro lens.

Vivek Kale [vivekkale_pune@yahoo.co.in]

Clicked this at Jayanti ( Buxa Tiger Reserve ) during WB_Butterflyindia meet in March 2008.
This was my 1st click of the meet with my new camera ( bought just before the BF_Meet )
Panasonic DMC FZ18 hence a special one for me !

Rahul Natu [gogreenfull@gmail.com]

Common grass yellow maiting.
Shot it at Kotdwar. Last month at a National Photography competetion 2008, this photo was selected as best in butterfly/insect category.

bhumesh bharti [bhumeshbharti@yahoo.com]

A couple of my shots that i took, during the Chakrata Meet.

Photo 1: A punch caught by a crab spider. Taken at the Forest guest house in Chakrata. Sorry about the use of flash, i hate it, but then this photo required it.

Mihir Chhatre [cmihirhere@gmail.com]

Photo 2: A white bordered copper. Very beautiful.

Mihir Chhatre [cmihirhere@gmail.com]

Rajib Rudra Tariang [rajibento@yahoo.co.in]

Rajib Rudra Tariang [rajibento@yahoo.co.in]

Rajib Rudra Tariang [rajibento@yahoo.co.in]

This was taken on 4th day of the ButterflyIndia Meet 2008, West Bengal. It was in the stream near Sunthanekhola. After a long walk we reached the stream, and we were to break for lunch. While exploring the stream boulders I saw this small butterfly, for a distance of about 10 feet and thought looks something interesting. I tried approaching it and it flew off and settled about 25-30 feet. Again I tried approaching and the same thing happened. After about 12-14 times, I was also not willing to leave it, since it looks different and something I have not see. Finally either the Butterfly got tired or I got better in approaching, but I could get a close up of this butterfly and later identified it as Blue Tit (Chliaria kina).

Vijay Barve [vijay.barve@gmail.com]

It was almost 2 years I was searching Black Rajah. I visit Yeoor in Thane numerous times for Black Rajah and Tawny Rajah. But every time i was unlucky. and couldnt photographed the Rajahs. Im september this year during Ganesh Festival I was staying in my Grandpas village. Two days before that it was raining quit heavily there. But on that day to my surprise i found bright sunshine. and to add to my surprise near my Grandpas House I watched 3-4 Black Rajahs and 4-5 Common Nawabs along with 1 Silverstreak Blue.I was almost speechless watching those beauties. I havd searched for them for almost 2 years and when there thaought was not in my mind i got lots of them at one place. and i got very good snaps of them with outstanding background.

Rohan Lovalekar [lovalekar.rohan@yahoo.in]

Day was really special because i saw some strange behaviour from Black Rajah. It was throwing out some thing from its mouth parts. I domy know what that thing exactly was. I was able to photographed that. But couldnt found what exactly butterfly was doing.

Rohan Lovalekar [lovalekar.rohan@yahoo.in]

Photo 003
On same day at same place I photographed Common Nawab from below and got one memorable image of it. The day was indeed one of the best in my Butterflying days.

Rohan Lovalekar [lovalekar.rohan@yahoo.in]

Tree Nimph from Koodaranhi, kerala
(See more shots http://www.flickr.com/photos/baby_kunnikulangara/)

baby [babykunnikulangara@gmail.com]

Redspot from Karuvarakundu, Kerala

baby [babykunnikulangara@gmail.com]

African Babul Blue Mating-2:
Taken at Vanastalipuram Deer park Hyderabad on 13-09-08, 10.20am thst day lot
of mating activity of Common leopards, Emigrants, Grass yellows, plain tigers
being observed

kalluri subramanyam [kalluri_sub@yahoo.co.in]

Common Leopard-DN_1:
Shot at Anantagiri forest 100 km away from Hyderabad on 20-04-08 arround 12.15
pm

kalluri subramanyam [kalluri_sub@yahoo.co.in]

Gram Blue_UP-1:
Shot at Agricultual University-Hyderabad on 20-07-08 arround 8.30 am.

all are take with Panasonic DMC FZ50

kalluri subramanyam [kalluri_sub@yahoo.co.in]

This year,2008 was great for me as far as butterflies are concerned. This all are taken in Jayanti, Bauxa tiger reserve forest in the month of November. i got that Commander easily.

apollo hell frost [apollohellfrost@yahoo.co.in]

But that Sawtooth wasn't piece of cake.

apollo hell frost [apollohellfrost@yahoo.co.in]
The Map butterfly did the same to me precisely except it came to me at last. i had spend very nice time with them during shooting. cant explain that feeling in words. I used Sony DSC-S650 cybershot.

apollo hell frost [apollohellfrost@yahoo.co.in]

Common Rose
Taken at Baghmara in Meghalaya. I was in Meghalaya with Krushnamegh Kunte. And i was so excited to got opportunity to go with him. And it was first morning of our trip and we got this beauty along the road. the light was really marvelous so was the back ground. And both of us got splendid shots of this common but very beautifull butterfly.
Rohan Lovalekar [lovalekar.rohan@yahoo.in]

Marbled Map
This was taken in the same trip. We were in the Balpakram Tiger Reserve in Meghalaya. We were walking along the stream. And Krushnamegha suddenly shouted Marbled Map. At first i was not aware what he was talking about. But after few seconds i saw one Marbled Map mudpuddling. We were trying to photograph that but it was not settling at one place. It was flying here and there as if it was teasing us. On one occasion it settled some steps ahead of us. Krushnamgh was aout to take photograph when i moved my feet unaware of fact it would fly. and it did. Krushnamegh was bit angry on me as that was prized catch for him also. He had not photographed it till that date.He didnt say many words but he just screamed Rohaaaaaaaaannnnn. I was upset a bit after that. And i was preying in my mind please god give us second chance.. And He did exactly that. We got splendid shots on same day. Krushnamegh was so hapy after that and me too. I think Krushnamegh had posted images of the same in August
Rohan Lovalekar [lovalekar.rohan@yahoo.in]

Mudpuddling Butterflies
On the same day along the same stream we saw this buuterflies mudpuddling. But i got only one photo with my 70-300.
Rohan Lovalekar [lovalekar.rohan@yahoo.in]

When we were driving up to Mayodia Pass this beauty fluttered away speedily as our vehicle approached. I was disappointed at not getting a good look at it. On our return journey I stopped at the same spot and there was this solitary White Dragontail (Lamproptera curius) puddling.
After a few starts this guy settled ingested and expelled water in jets every 4 secs

Rajneesh Suvarna [rajneeshsuvarna@gmail.com]

This is a photograph which is my favourite and for this moment-my best. It captures a personal moment of nature's wonders, and a part of a 'wasteland' ecosystem.

With the very basic photographic equipment that I have, butterfly photography is limited for me. Despite that, I try to record what I see.

The lycaenid -Forget Me Not, in this photograph is very common in the 'wasteland' near my home. I was able to photograph this butterfly early winter of this year, in early morning when the butterfly had just begun to bask in the sun. The morning sun rays highlighted the wing pattern of the butterly from the otherside which I found enchanting and there was the peek into the 'blue' of the otherside!!! For me it was amazing that the butterfly had two distinct delicate colour palettes without running into each other and both were so very contrastingly different!

The 2nd part of the collage is the same butterfly with the wings open! Beautiful colour!

This is the magic of nature-wings closed the butterfly almost disappears and when wings open it is a flash of colour before disappearing again or staying on for a brief while. While flying it is tough to determine what colour this butterfly really is-for lay people. So it is a very intriguing butterfly as well!

And may I take this opportunity to compliment the rest of the photographers in this group for their awesome photographs. Thanks for posting them-it has been a great joy and learning to see your photographs.

JANAKI TURAGA [janakituraga@ yahoo.com]

Here is a photograph of Banana Skipper or Palm Red Eye (Erionota thrax).
I was searching this butterfly species from 2007. Some of our Kolkata team members had sighted it twice at Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary, Kolkata and was able to take the photograph. After a long wait, just two days ago, on 19th December morning I got the chance, when it came to my house and settled on the window (Dist. Howrah, West Bengal). I was really shocked after seeing this (it’s really a big sized skipper), but somehow managed to take the photograph.
Another important thing is that, this is the first photograph of a butterfly species that I clicked with my new DSLR.
This is my best photo of the year 2008.
Rudraprasad Das [rudra_butterfly@yahoo.com]

Had a rather difficult time choosing the picture that i liked the most because there were so many interesting pictures this year shot at ultapani and namdapha. (i have managed to post only half of them).

The first choice would be the small green awlet which we got at namdapha. Arjan had managed to get 2 quick shots of this little green wonder at 5.30 am near the deban guest house before it fled and never returned. The next morning we all went looking for it no luck, ditto for them morning after. the third morning i did not go searching for it and i mentally joked that if it was in my luck it would come to our where we stay.

So when i went out i rather sleepy eyed the next morning I saw, it just outside our room and stayed for a good 20 minutes before it went away then it came again all the others too got a good share of photos of this awlet.
Nelson Rodrigues [nelexl@yahoo.com]

The second pix which i liked v much was the chocolate albatross i thought it looked very charming perched on a leaf .
Nelson Rodrigues [nelexl@yahoo.com]

Orange Oakleaf
Rajneesh Suvarna [rajneeshsuvarna@gmail.com]

Red lacewing
Rajneesh Suvarna [rajneeshsuvarna@gmail.com]

Rohini Deshpande [rohiniad@gmail.com]In the fag end of the year I visited Sirunvani falls near Coimbatore. My husband took me there since I was very keen to see the butterflies there. I got only few hours to run behind the butterflies but I could spot nearly 20 species including my first sighting of Southern birdwing, Red Helen & White four ring. It was my best butterfly spotting day! The Common Bluebottle was mud puddling near the falls. The Suffused Snow flat was basking in the sun at around 4pm on the way back.
Rohini Deshpande [rohiniad@gmail.com]

Cruiser-Vindula erota-My friend Premkrishnan and I had a wonderful butterflying at Kallar
forests during 21st December.The day was filled with basking and mudpuddling beauties
Cruiser was very active.It was sitting on leaf top and basking.Really a feast for our eyes.
Susanth C [susanth.c@gmail.com]

Blue bottle and Common Jay- This face to face mud puddling scene was also taken from
Kallar during 5th April 2008.We (Premkrishnan,Varun and I) were resting near the stream
after observing activities in a Grey-headed Bulbul's nest in the reed thickets.
The butterflies were active near the wet sand.I was focusing a Common Jay taking a close up
of view of it.Suddenly a Blue Bottle rushed the place and i saw it through my camera and
clicked it.
Susanth C [susanth.c@gmail.com]

Eggs of Palm King-Sandex butterly enthusiast and my friend called me and inform
me he found the egg laying of Palmking.At first i cant believe it.Next day i visited Thenmala
and the eggs of Palmking.I take this recordical sighting with excitement.
I am grateful to Sandex for give me an opportuinity to take this rare pic of palmking eggs.
Susanth C [susanth.c@gmail.com]

This apefly was photographed at Ponmudi Hills in southern western ghats.
This was one of the thirty or more Apeflies that were flying about some croton plants,laiden with aphids and apefly larvae and pupae.I particularly like the flow of greens and yellows in the background and the wing pattern of this insect which resembles crows flying in the sky and sunrays!
kalesh s [kaleshs2002in@yahoo.com]

Nyctemera coleta is a rare occurrence in South India, as per Peter
Smetacek and Prof K Gunathilraj. Probably the first photographic
record is by myself in November 2004 in Bhadra WLS. The next record is
by Julie Valsarajan (Coorg, October 2008).

Imagine if you see this on a morning walk in Lalbagh Botanical Gardens
(Bangalore)! It took me some time to recognize because it wouldn't
settle, but I lost it immediately afterwards. I was searching for it,
and explained to my 3-years old son Iravan what I am looking for. He
is a good spotter at his age, and within 2 minutes he found it out for
me again. His excitement "Papa there is the moth! There is moth!" set
that guy to flight again, but this time I didn't lose my sight and
finally could photograph the rarity!

Kousik Nandy [kousiknandy@gmail.com]

Meet 2009 : Proposals

2008-12-12T04:34:00.002+05:30

Satyendra Tiwari [kaysat1 @ yahoo . co . in]

Proposed Location : Pachmarhi
State : Madhya Pradesh
Ideal Month / Dates : September Last week or first week of October
Possible Local Organizers : Satyendra K Tiwari
Highlights of the Location : Hill Station in M.P.
Why the location is important ? Because of its altitude and Sal forest we may see different butterflies than North or north east. Although they will never be in that numbers as seen in North east.
Remarks :

Amol Patwardhan [power_amol @ yahoo . com]

Proposed Location : Kudremukh
State : Karnataka
Ideal Month / Dates : September- October
Possible Local Organizers : Prof. Mohandas
Highlights of the Location : Tropical Western Ghat forest+ Sholas
Why the location is important ? No Meet has been organised in that region.
Remarks : Mr. Mohandas is inviting for the meet since long.

Chakrata Meet 2008 : Photo

2008-11-20T23:33:00.006+05:30

Here are the links to the photo sets of the meet

Rudra - Flickr
Pinakin Karve - Picasa
Mihir - Picasa
Satyendra K.Tiwari - Flickr

If you have attended the meet, please send me links.

Chakrata Meet Successful

2008-10-16T04:01:00.000+05:30

Chakarata meet was a successful event, from 29th Sep to 3rd Oct. The participants recorded close to 150 species of butterflies in the 5 day event.

I would like to thank all the participants for making it a successful one. Special thanks are due to Pinakin Karve for efficient organization of the meet and Dr. Amol Patwardhan for coordination of the meet.

The checklist of the meet is under preparation and we will be posting it soon, along with the links of some photo albums.

Time to start planning for the Meet 2009 ?

ButterflyIndia Day 2008

2008-09-27T01:18:00.000+05:30

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

2008-09-18T01:52:00.000+05:30

[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 ?

Sleeping bag & Mattress
Light warm clothes
Umbrella/ Rain-coat
Personal medicines
Mosquito repellant cream
Torch, Candle & Matchbox
Rope & Polythene sheath for rain protection in the field
Cap
Water bottle
Extra battery pack for camera, torch etc.
Note book & Pencil
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

2008-09-11T00:14:00.004+05:30

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

Mussoorie express - (from old Delhi Rly Stn) 10.25 pm from Delhi and reach at 7.00 am to dehradun
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
Nizamuddin A/c Express from Nizamuddin Rly stn start at 11.00 pm from Delhi and reach at 6.00 am at ddn.
Shatabdi Express. From New Delhi Rly Sty 6.30 am from Delhi and reach at Dehradun 12.30 noon.
Dehradoon Express came from Mumbai (please do not use this as it’s very slow from Delhi to Dehradun)
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

2008-09-03T23:35:00.004+05:30

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

Invitation : ButterflyIndia Meet 2008 : Uttarakhand

2008-08-04T22:38:00.006+05:30

I am happy to invite you all to "ButterflyIndia Meet 2008". This year the meet is planned at Chakrata, Dehradun in Uttarakhand State (More details on how reach will be posted soon). The meet is scheduled between 29 Sept-3 Oct 2008. This meet will be organised by ButterflyIndia.

Primary objective of this post is to get a number, which will help in better planning. More details on formal registration will be made available in the due course.

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

Anyone interested in serious butterflying is welcome for this meet. We expect them to be members of ButterflyIndia Yahoogroup.

To express your interest in this meeting please click on the link ( http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ButterflyIndia/database?method=addRecord&tbl=12 ) and enter the detail in the Yahoogroups database (You need to log in using yahoo id), or send an email to
Amol Patwardhan power_amol@yahoo.com.

Regular updates on the meet will be available here.

West Bengal Meet 2008 : Photo

2008-04-03T10:02:00.001+05:30

Here are the links to the photo sets of the meet

Rahul Natu - Picasa album
Vijay Barve - Picasa Album
Subramanyam Kalluri - Butterflies and Other Photos

More to come...

West Bengal Meet Successful

2008-04-02T23:36:00.001+05:30

Dear All

Any how, now for this meet I have a wonderful experience. Though the cancellation and all those monitory hazards are still on my shoulder but butterflies and great company of all the participants are really refreshing.

Thanks to Vijay. You are really the leader. Apart from going through different problem the way you manage to join the meet is really a lesson for all the group members. Salute for your dedication.

We are going to post every details of the meet in our website www.naturemates.org and http://bengalbutterflies.com very soon. So just give us this week to make that thing happen.

Regards to all the participants once again, thanks Amol for your valuable guidance, thanks Pinakin, Rahul, Mihir, David, Kiran, for being there. Thanks Kalluriji, your enthusiasm is an inspiration for all the junior members, your effort is splendid.

A special mention for Mr. Garg, your constant photography yield wonderful result in the end. The great windmill is wonderful. also, after being injured you continue to take photographs!!! you are really a spirited member. we all appreciate your spirit and wish your early recovery.

Thanks Ujjal Da, for you we have managed to reach the 23rd miles area. That was one of the most special visit of this meet. The area is closed for all the tourist, but for us you made the visit possible, and salute to your love for butterflies, hope they will be benefited in the coming days from your efforts.

Now for my fellow members, nothing to say much, without all of you the meet will not be possible. my hearty thanks to all of you.

Udiran needs a special mention, he was the junior most member in the meet, his first one also, but contributed a lot in making the butterfly checklist so rich. Plum Judy is for you only, U

Thanks every body for all your support and positive response.

regards

Arjan Basu Roy

FAQ ButterflyIndia Meet 2008

2008-02-11T12:06:00.002+05:30

[This document is being updated frequently.]

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

"ButterflyIndia Meet 2008: NB" North Bengal (March-21st, 2008)

How do I Register for the meet ?

Send email to Arjan(naturemates@gmail.com) and cc to Vijay (vijay.barve@gmail.com)

Should I bring Sleeping bag there?

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

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

As the weather is in its transitional phase so there may be rain may not be. so at least an umbrella and few plastic covers for camera, binox you should bring.

What kind of accommodation will be available?

The stay is going to be in Forest Dormitory and Tents.

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

North Bengal meet schedule is available now. But it may be altered a little according to situation demand.

What kind of food will be available?

Simple Veg and Non veg 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 ?

Sleeping bag & Mattress
Light warm clothes
Umbrella/ Rain-coat
Personal medicines
Mosquito repellant cream
Torch, Candle & Matchbox
Rope & Polythene sheath for rain protection in the field
Cap
Water bottle
Extra battery pack for camera, torch etc.
Note book & Pencil

I still have questions

Write to Vijay Barve - vijay.barve@gmail.com call 9845080456
For North Bengal Meet call Arjan 09230532706 or Rudraprasad Das – 098305-17019

Meet 2008 : Advance Registration

2008-01-03T14:44:00.000+05:30

Dear Members,

We are very pleased to see your interest in attending the ButterflyIndia Meet 2008 in West Bengal from 16-21st March 2008.

Now that the meet details have been finalized, we need to do the booking for stay and other infrastructure arrangements. As you are aware, the meets are organized on not for profit basis, we will need your help for carrying out the needful arrangements.

We request you to pay a registration amount of Rs. 2000.00 to help us take care of the advance payments. (Total Meet expenses are going to be less than 4000 for 6 days meeet)

You may make the payment by Cheque or DD (for Kolkata) payable to Nature Mates. Or transferring to the bank account number 319490 of Jadavpur Branch of United Bank of India Bank, Kolkata.

In case of cancellation, till 21st of January 2008, full refund will be made (excluding bank charges which should be less than 50). Refund for cancellations after that will depend on number participants registered and in the waiting list as well as date of cancellation. Maximum amount will be returned to participants deducting already spent funds. We are finding it difficult to devise a formula at this stage, as the meets are organized on not for profit basis.

We would appreciate your early action, as we have to make payments in the coming two weeks.

Please feel free to get back to us with any queries vijay.barve@gmail.com and naturemates@gmail.com.

Regards

Arjan BasuRoy
NatureMates
Organizer ButterflyIndia Meet 2008

Best Photo of 2007

2007-12-26T21:07:00.000+05:30

Here are the Best Photo of 2007 by members of ButterflyIndia. Click on the image for full size.

Nelson Rodrigues
nelexl @ yahoo.com

I think i liked this picture of the twany rajah
shot at the butterfly india meet at AP the best.
Because generally the twany rajah is quite an elusive
butterfly in mumbai and i was fortunate to enjoy the
pleasure of its company on my left hand for more than
15 minutes.

Oranage Awlet - Tight Close up At Nagla 19th Aug 2007
Yuwaraj Gurjar
yuwarajg @ yahoo.com

Moorce Ace - on Canon 350D At Yeoor 2nd Sept 2007
Yuwaraj Gurjar
yuwarajg @ yahoo.com

Tawny Rajah at Yeoor on February 2007
Santosh Petkar
santosh_petkar1968 @ yahoo.com

Tailed Jay - Vikhroli, Mumbai 21st Oct 2007
Aruns hm
prarun_2 @ hotmail.com

Vidya Rao
vidyalovesnature @ gmail.com

This is my favourite for the year 2007.. Got this beauty in Eastern Ghats butterfly Meet . Papikonda WLS, Andhra Pradesh
This bfly was talk of the town in the meet. Every1 in the group got a full frame shot but Vijay missed it as he was shooting one very beautiful green damselfly just next to it.... We all were in knee deep stream clicking this beauty............
It made our day and we all returned bac quite contented

Amol Patwarshan
power_amol@yahoo.com
Leaf Blue Amblypodia anita at Phansad WLS, Raigad on 27 Jan 2007 I was actually waiting for Map to arrive but there was feast around. There were many butterflies, birds around.

Abhijit
abhijit.avalaskar@gmail.com
*Red-eye* - At Yeoor - 9th Sept 2007

Abhijit
abhijit.avalaskar@gmail.com
*Blue oakleaf - *At Yeoor - 9th Sept 2007

Abhijit
abhijit.avalaskar@gmail.com
*Common Baron - *At Matheran - 9th Nov 2007.

Arjan Basu Ray
naturemates@yahoo.com
This two are my most favourites for the year 2007.. Got these beauty in Eastern Ghats butterfly Meet . Papikonda WLS, Andhra Pradesh
the first one (Black Raja) we got in the day after the last day, when almost everybody were gone. me nelson rudra are the few lucky one to got this image beside a straem.

Arjan Basu Ray
naturemates@yahoo.com
the second one (Orange Oakleaf) was the same specimen that of vidya, her was open wing and mine the closed wing. we all were excited after getting this. on that day we were very lucky to get one stream glory also which Vidya mentioned in her story as Vijay's pick.

Santosh Gavali
sdgavali@yahoo.co.in

Santosh Gavali
sdgavali@yahoo.co.in

Santosh Gavali
sdgavali@yahoo.co.in

J.M. Garg
jmgarg1@gmail.com
Common Yellow Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) Though, it's difficult to point out which is the best in 2007, I am choosing this one. First, it has so much of details & is so beautiful. Second, it was really difficult to get a patient shot with this butterfly as it's very fast & constantly moving. Finally, because I saw a children's pictorial book at Oxford, devoted on this particular butterfly, illustrating all stages of a butterfly from egg-laying to its emergence, in brief. I was so thrilled to capture this beauty in all its details. Shot was taken in May'07 in Himachal during Sar Pass Trek.

Katie Bagli
katiebagli@yahoo.co.in
My best pic of 2007 is of the very common Blue Tiger (Tirumala limniace). It was in the month of November, at the Swan Country Club near Yewoor, Thane. There were hundreds of milkweed butterflies, all scrambling in a frenzied manner to get as much of the coveted alkaloids as possible, from the Crotolaria plants.

It was really fascinating to watch them, all of them with their proboscis unfurled, gorging away.

Naseer Ommer
naseerommer@gmail.com
confused about which one to be added but this image is of importance because on a recent visit (Flickr Meet @ Vagamon) we witnessed an area , mostly marshy n full of tall trees n shrubs, full of this species, resting on tree tops. Don't know whether this is part of a migratory group. Vagamon is a high altitude area in Idukki district of Kerala (similiar to Munnar) n there were more than 5000 of them. Many of us fotographed the scene and many have better captures than self. can somebody educate me about this ??? a sort of migration or is it somethingelse???

Isaac Kehimkar
isaackehimkar@yahoo.co.in
REGAL APOLLO (Parnassius charltonius) Photographed in Ladakh at 12000 ft in Hemis National Park, Ladakh (J&K).

Krushnamegh Kunte
krushnamegh@mail.utexas.edu
after a trip to the NE this year it is impossible to pick one image (or 10 or even 100!) as my favourite. but i am sending one that has a story associated with it. check out rafeek, and an Orange Oakleaf (Kallima inachus) sitting on his hand. nice, eh? now check what's hovering over his head! i noticed this black & white butterfly in this picture just a few days ago. i was excited about this because this butterfly (pictures at the bottom), as it turns out, has a very strange pattern, nothing like anything in any books i have. my best guess is that if it is not an aberrant Blackvein Sergeant (Athyma ranga), then it is a new species. in any case, i think i took rafeek's picture before we were even aware of this butterfly. imagine if rafeek's picture had been the only evidence of its existence there! a fascinating thought!!

Kedat Bhat
kedarvbhat@yahoo.com
Paris peacock shot at Salim Ali bird sanctuary, Kerala

Avinash Sant
avinashsant@yahoo.com
One was made in early months of 07 where two Swordtails are mating & the third one is trying hard

Avinash Sant
avinashsant@yahoo.com
Was shot last Sunday at SGNP, the mating attempt of Common Jezibel

Rahul Natu
gogreenfull@gmail.com
Vagrant ( Issoria sinha sinha ) Clicked during Butterfly India meet in the Eastern Ghats near a stream

Rahul Natu
gogreenfull@gmail.com
image of 7 nawabs in a frame is my another good click during
the EG meet '07.
Balakrishnan Valappil
balakrishnan_valappil@yahoo.com
The attached picture,which I rate as my best butterfly picture,was shot at my houseand it was a newly emerged limebutterflyit was a heavily raining morning, no sunshine at allafter making some shots from the otherside of the plamleafi turned face to face with the butterfly and the moment I looked through the viewfinderit still haunts me

Anoop Anand A
anoop_anand@infosys.com
Orchid Tit at Maredumilli

Anoop Anand A
anoop_anand@infosys.com
Cupids in Love at Maredumilli

Rudraprasad Das
rudra_butterfly@yahoo.com
The photographs of Falcate Oakblue (Mahathala ameria) are my best from the lot. Although they are not very crispy one, but they gave me great pleasure when I photographed it. The photographs were taken from Jaipur area of Howrah District, West Bengal (3-4 m MSL).

K.Rafeek
k_rafeek66@yahoo.co.uk
I was at my favourite place in Kerala, Edamalayar during the past few days to capture my favourite picture!! So pls excuse my late response!!

The Malabar flash-Rapala lankana was on my look out for a long time ever since I saw it at Akkulam, Trivandrum a some years back.

Ravi Vaidyanathan ravi.vaidyanathan@gmail.com
This butterfly... a lifer for me... was seen on one of the very dense undergowth in Bhagwantgad in Konkan... on a trek

did not expect any lifers in this trip and hence it was a real surprise to get a new butterfly addition to the list......and too at the fag end of the year 2007

Ravi Vaidyanathan ravi.vaidyanathan@gmail.com
Caught this guy after a lot of patience at Phansad in January 2007,
nearly a year back..remains one of my faveriote butterflies

kalluri subramanyam kalluri_sub@yahoo.co.in
Lime Butterfly taken on 07-10-2007 at Narsapur forest 50km from Hyderabad while a group of about 10 are mud pudling arround 11.00 AM.

Sajeev TK isajeev@yahoo.com
Here are two best shots of 2007 from me. Both these were shot at Perumbalam an Island near Ernakulam. in Sptember. The Psyche was on Cleome gynandra pant probably the food palnt for its caterpillars. The Grass Yellow was on Ocimum sanctum.

In both the cases I saw the attempts of other males trying to dislodge the already mated male in vain. In both the cases the female had just emerged from the pupal case you can see it is still sitting on it.

ronu ad rohiniad@yahoo.com
It is African Mallow/ Marbled Skipper. I liked the shades of brown in this picture.

This was the last butterfly picture I took in 2007 :( After this the huge field next to my home which housed more than 50 species of butterflies was cleared to make way for basketball/football courts. Most of the pictures of butterflies that I have taken http://www.flickr.com/photos/rohiniad/sets/72157594219834398/ were from this place. This place in Bangalore city was a heaven for butterflies. It had more butterflies than the Bangalore's butterfly park!

Since I haven't been living in India since a few years now and I visit only on short break I didn't have a huge collection of Indian Butterfly pix for 2007 to pick from, nonetheless I decided to share this one as my favourite for the year gone by.

I chose to share this image because it portrays yet another aspect in the life cycle of these beautiful creatures - as someone's meal.

The image shows the Clytia form (mimicing the Common Crow) of the Common Mime Butterfly (Papilio (Chilasa) clytia) being devoured by a Praying Mantis.

Dr.Sangeeta Dhanuka drsangeeta.dhanuka@gmail.com
This was my best photo of the year, first because i have never been
able to click this species, so restless it is . Secondly, I clicked
this in the very low evening light. trying to use all kinds of
settings, but failing everytime, while the butterfly kept moving from
one branch to another. Final attempt proved to be successful.

Clicked this at the Crocodile park at Chennai, on the first leg of our
recent Andamans trip

Animish Mandrekar nightjar6@gmail.com
First snap is from Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh. I was amazed by seeing the beauty Popinjay. I think the designs and patterns on our attire must have been copies by mankind from these beautiful creatures.

Animish Mandrekar nightjar6@gmail.com
The second snaps is taken from my very own backyard Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Captured this mimic while resting on wall in the heart of the forest.

More to come .... Keep visiting.

How to reach North Bengal Meet Site

2007-12-19T21:56:00.000+05:30

Note: This is draft document and may undergo many changes over coming weeks.

Where is Jayanti and Samsing?

These are located near Jalpaiguri district of Upper West Bengal.
Nearest Railway Station - New Jalpaiguri and New Alipurduar
Samsing is a 2 hrs drive from NJP and Jayanti an hour drive from New Alipurduar
Nearest Airhead - Kolkata and Baghdogra
From Kolkata NJP is a journey of 15 hrs and new alipurduar 18 hrs.
From Bagdogra NJP is an hour far and Jayanti is a drive of 6 hrs.

How to reach ?

All participants have to report at New Alipurduar @ 11.00 Hrs on 16th March 2008.

New Alipurdaur (NOQ ) is on Kolkata - Guwahati route. Kolkatta team will take Saraighata Express on 15 march 2008 @ 16.00 Hrs. So participants are encouraged to book in the same train for Kolkatta.

As New Alipurduar is not a common place to go from southern or western india, There are very few trains from Mumbai, Bangalore and Trivandram etc. Its better to come to Kolkata by train or air and board train from here. Train to Kolkata are available daily from all the metro cities.

From Kolkata the following trains are available :

2345up Saraighat Express Departure from Howrah daily at 4 p.m and will reach new Alipurduar on the next day morning at 5.00 AM arround

3141up Tistatorsha Express Departure from Sealdah daily at 1.35 p.m and will reach new Alipurduar on the next day morning at 8.00 AM around

5959up Kamrup Express Departure from Howrah daily at 5.35 p.m and will reach new Alipurduar on the next day morning at 10.00 AM arround

For the return journey

Darjeling mail fro New Jalpaigudi (NJP) to Kolkata(HWH) on 21st March 2007.

Train leaving from New Jalpaiguri in the evening and will reach Kolkata by the next day morning. you can avail any connecting train from Kolkata to your home town after 3.00pm on 22nd March safely, or you can fly from Kolkata by some evening flights.

Note

You are welcome to plan other trips (Jaldapara, Gorumara, Buxa, Neora Valley, Singalila, or even Sikkim) outside the schedule of the meet and hence can plan for a longer duration vacation in the North West Bengal.

Invitation : ButterflyIndia Meet 2008

2007-12-04T15:25:00.000+05:30

I am happy to invite you all to "ButterflyIndia Meet 2008". This year the meet is planned at Jayanti and Samsing in Northern West Bengal (More details on how reach will be posted soon). The meet is scheduled between 16-21st March 2008. This meet will be organised by ButterflyIndia and Nature Mates, Kolkata.

Primary objective of this post is to get a number, which will help in better planning. More details on formal registration will be made available in the due course.

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

Anyone interested in serious butterflying is welcome for this meet. We expect them to be members of ButterflyIndia Yahoogroup.

To express your interest in this meeting please click on the link ( http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ButterflyIndia/database?method=addRecord&tbl=12 ) and enter the detail in the Yahoogroups database (You need to log in using yahoo id), or send an email to me .

Regular updates on the meet will be available here.

Location Suggestions for Meet 2008

2007-10-18T10:16:00.000+05:30

Sl No	Location	Time Period	Suggested By	Possible Organisers
1	Simlipal, Orissa		Krushnamegh	Manoj Nair
2	Sikkim		Krushnamegh
3	Western Arunachal (Ziro)		Krushnamegh	Arif, NE Butterflies Team
4	Northeastern Chattisgadh		Krushnamegh
5	Kanha-Bandhavgadh		Krushnamegh
6	North Bengal	Feb 2008 end	Arjan	Nature Mates
7	Uttarakhand		Pinakin Karve
8	Top Slip		Dhaval	Dhaval

Eastern Ghats Meet 2007 : Photo

2007-08-22T10:43:00.000+05:30

Here are the links to the photo sets of the meet

Rahul Natu - Picasa album
Mihir - Flickr
Rahul Natu - Flickr
Pinakin Karve - Shutterfly
Vijay Barve - Picasa Album
Anoop A A - Flickr
Rudraprasad - Flickr
Subramanyam Kalluri Flickr, Picasa

More to come...

Programme Schedule : EG 2007

2007-08-12T10:29:00.000+05:30

Day 1: 16 August 2007

Time	Session	Details	In-charge
7:00 AM	Gathering at Rajahmundry station	Bus available with banner	Mr. Murali/Minhaj
7:30 AM	Depart to Rampachowdavaram	Bus travel	Mr. Murali
10:00 AM	Reach Rampachowdavaram PMRC	Allotment of beds/rooms	Mr. Suri Babu/Aravind
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM	Freshen up/Nature calls	Registrations/payments to be done parallel	Ushodayan
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM	Breakfast at PMRC	Registrations/payments to be done parallel	Mr. Suri Babu
11:30 AM to 12:30 PM	Inaugural function	Welcome to the participants
		Mrs. Rana – About Maredumilli	Rehman Mr. Suri Babu (logistics)
		Dr. Tej Kumar – Why meet in Eastern Ghats?
		Mr. Ashok Kumar – Details of BCS
		DFO-Rajahmundry – Wildlife in the area
12:45 PM	BCS Press meet	Dr. Tej Kumar + Mr. Ashok Kumar + Mr. Rehman
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM	Lunch Break	Pending registrations/payments to be done parallel	Mr. Suri Babu
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM	Travel to Kuduru	3 groups made in bus – BLUE – GREEN - RED	Minhaj/Ushodayan
2:30 PM to 5:30 PM	Survey/Study at Kuduru		Rehman/Ushodayan/Minhaj
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM	Depart to Rampachowdavaram		Mr. Murali
6:00 PM	Tea	Brief stop at Maredumilli	Mr. Prabhu
7:30 PM	Compilation of worksheets		Minhaj
8:00 PM	Dinner at PMRC		Mr. Suri Babu
8:30 PM	Presentations/exhibitions	by Butterfly India/BCS members	Rehman

Day 2: 17 August 2007

Time	Session	Details	In-charge
7:00 AM	Breakfast at PMRC		Mr. Suri Babu/Aravind
7:30 AM to 8:30 AM	Travel to Pushpanjali restaurant	4 groups made in bus EGG-CATERPILLAR-PUPA-ADULT	Minhaj/Ushodayan
8:30 AM to 12:30 PM	Survey/Study	EGG - Valamuru CATERPILLAR – Towards Maredumilli PUPA - G.M.Valasa ADULT - Guntada	Rehman/Ushodayan/Minhaj
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM	Lunch Break	Gathering at Pushpanjali restaurant	Mr. Suri Babu
1:30 PM to 5:30 PM	Survey/Study continue...	Same areas but shuffle the groups	Rehman/Ushodayan/Minhaj
5:30 PM	Depart to Maredumilli
6:00 PM	Tea	At Maredumilli Forest guest house	Mr. Prabhu
6:00PM to 7:00PM	Depart to Rampachowdavaram
7:30 PM	Compilation of worksheets		Minhaj
8:00 PM	Dinner at PMRC		Mr. Suri Babu
8:30 PM onwards	Technical sessions	by Butterfly India/BCS members	Rehman

Day 3: 18 August 2007

Time	Session	Details	In-charge
7:00 AM	Breakfast at PMRC		Mr. Suri Babu/Aravind
7:30 AM to 8:30 AM	Travel to Maredumilli	4 groups made in bus EGG-CATERPILLAR-PUPA-ADULT	Minhaj/Ushodayan
8:30 AM to 12:30 PM	Survey/Study	Gedada area	Rehman/Ushodayan/Minhaj
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM	Lunch Break	Gathering at Sunampadu	Mr. Suri Babu
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM	Survey/Study continue...	Same areas but shuffle the groups	Rehman/Ushodayan/Minhaj
3:30 PM to 5:00 PM	Depart to Rampachowdavaram
5:30 PM	Compilation of worksheets		Minhaj
6:30 PM	Return to Rajahmundry	For some participants	Mr. Prabhu
7:00PM to 8:00PM	Tribal dance
8:00 PM	Dinner + Final checklist		Mr. Suri Babu
8:00 PM

Day 4: 19 August 2007

Bus to Rajahmundry at 4:30 AM

Glimpses of Eastern Ghats Campsite

2007-08-03T10:23:00.000+05:30

Thanks to Ushodayan

FAQ ButterflyIndia Meet 2007

2007-08-02T09:31:00.000+05:30

[This document is being updated frequently.]

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

"ButterflyIndia Meet 2007 : WG" Western Ghats (June 1-4, 2007) and "ButterflyIndia Meet 2007 : EG" Eastern Ghats (August 16-19, 2007)

How do I Register for the meet ?

Send the EG Registration form to Ushodayan (ushodayanthampy@yahoo.co.in) and cc to Vijay (vijay.barve@gmail.com)

Should I bring Sleeping bag there?

Yes, it is recommended to bring sleeping bag with you.

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

It may rain during the meet days. It is recommended to bring raincoat and lot of polythene covers to protect your belongings at both camp sites.

Is person X going to be there ?

The confirmation phase for WG has started and check your confirmation status EG Meet List The list does not include local organizers.

WG meet is over WG Meet List . The list does not include local organizers.

C - Confirm
T - Tentative
D - Dropped

And in case of any confusion get in touch with Vijay immediately vijay.barve@gmail.com

What kind of accommodation will be available?

The stay is going to be in Forest Dormitory and Tents.

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

Eastern Ghats meet schedule is available now.

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.

I still have questions

Write to Vijay Barve - vijay.barve@gmail.com call 9845080456
For Eastern Ghats Meet call Ushodayan 09949297898.

Registration Form : EG 2007

2007-07-23T10:43:00.000+05:30

Registration details for Butterfly India Meet-2007

1. Name:

2. Age:

3. Gender:

4. Traveling details of the participants:

§ Date of arrival at Rajahmundry

§ Is stay requirement at Rajahmundry: Yes/No

§ Details of stay requirement at Rajahmundry

o Number of persons

o Tariff range Low/Medium/High

(Charges of accommodation in Rajahmundry is not included in the registration charges)

5. Will you be presenting any paper/presentation/photo exhibition during the meet?

Yes/No

6. If yes, then mention topic for presentation:

7. Mode of payment: DD/MO

Amount to be paid Rs. 1,800/- in favour of Butterfly Conservation Society payable at Hyderabad

Enclosed is my remittance of Rs. ______ as registration fees for _______ number of participants by MO/DD number _______ dated __

Place:

Date: Signature

Contact details with phone number:

E-mail ID:

Send the above information filled in to USHODAYAN THAMPY with a copy to Vijay Barve

Eastern Ghats Meet Location : Background Information

2007-07-15T12:43:00.000+05:30

Andhra Pradesh

The state of Andhra Pradesh occupies a very pivotal place in the eastern plank of Southern Peninsula. The vegetation profile is varied. The presence of Eastern Ghats comprising of an assemblage of discontinued hill ranges and valleys originating in Orissa state and passing the state upto Nilgiris of Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu where it joins there with its rich but unexplored faunal and floral biodiversity.

The tropical region in the state has resulted in varied habitats which include

(a) Tropical evergreen forests

(b) Semi evergreen forests

(d) Tropical dry deciduous forests (of both teak and non-teak bearing ones)

(e) Mixed dry deciduous forests

(f) Savannah and scrub forests

(g) Wetlands

The most prominent densely forested ranges of Eastern Ghats include Nallmalai hills, Araku hills along with their valleys, Papikonda hills, Seshachalam hills and Tirupathi sporting rich biodiversity in flora and fauna.

The state boast many wildlife sanctuaries including Kawal wildlife sanctuary, Gundla Brahmeswara sanctuary, Nagarjuna-Srisailam Tiger sanctuary, Kinnersani sanctuary, Papikonda sanctuary, Etturnagaram-Pakhal sanctuary, not to mention many deer parks around the city of Hyderabad which are noted to sustain large populations of uncommon and rare butterflies in their varied habitats.

Butterfly India Meet 2007

Butterfly Conservation Society (BCS) is privileged to organize a Butterfly Meet for the first time in Andhra Pradesh from 16^th to 19^th August 2007.. About 30 butterfly experts are expected to participate in this meet. The delegates will survey different locations in Maredumilli for three days. BCS will come out with a checklist of butterflies in these three days, which will be useful for further studies and discoveries. The meet will also include presentations and lectures by Resource persons. Participants can present any research papers or field experience during the meet. (LCD projector would be available at the camp site. Prior intimation is required to avail this facility)

About Maredumilli and butterflies

Maredumilli, a part of the Eastern Ghats landscape, is the camp site for our Eastern Ghats meet in 2007. It forms a canopy that even prevents sunrays from entering the ground. The semi evergreen forests with undulating terrain of Maredumilli are bestowed with rich biodiversity. The area enjoys several streams and rivulets, rich in medicinal plants making the place suitable for butterflies and other insects.

Maredumilli provides an excellent opportunity to explore for biodiversity of Eastern Ghats. Apart from variety of animals and plants, one can see many butterflies throughout the year. Other than commonly seen butterflies one can see Grey Count, Oakleaf, Blue Mormon and many more…..

The participants should meet at Rajahmundry railway station at 6.00 am on 16 August 2007. Transportation will be arranged from Rajahmundry to Camp site (Maredumilli) and back to Rajahmundry. The programme starts at Maredumilli from 2.00 pm on 16 August 2007.

Venue details

Maredumilli is about 70 Kms from Rajahmundry. Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation run regular buses from Rajahmundry bus station to Maredumilli. The Bus station is located near the Railway station. Rajahmundry also has regular flights from Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.

EG Meet Organisers : Butterfly Conservation Society, Hyderabad, AP

2007-07-15T12:35:00.000+05:30

About the Society

The Butterfly Conservation Society was founded in December 2005 by a few enthusiasts from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, with the objective of spreading the message of conservation of valuable butterfly fauna and other insects and also to protect their habitats and to create awareness among both the young and old.

The society organises filed trips. Lectures, nature camps, film and slide shows. It is registered under the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act 2001 with its registration number 293 of 2006.

Objectives

1. To generate interest in butterflies and their conservation among young and old.

2. To create awareness among people about the beneficial role of butterflies and other insects their habitats towards a healthy ecosystem.

3. Networking with other organisation in nature conservation including research and also to conduct workshop and training programmes to enhance knowledge on this subject.

4. To provide, equip and maintain a museum and other repositories for butterflies and other insects along with herbarium consisting of butterfly flora which provide nectar for adults and larval food plants.

5. Assisting educational and other institutions and in individual homes and parks for erecting butterfly gardens/parks in their premises.

6. Develop database on butterflies available in AP and to prepare field guide on butterflies in Andhra Pradesh.

7. To bring out a newsletter on butterflies to publish and exchange information on butterflies.

About the logo

The logo of the society highlights BLUE MORMON, a beautiful papilionid, along with a message for protecting the habitats of butterflies and other fauna.

The Butterflies

Of the 1500 species of butterflies reported from India, about 170 species (figures tentative) are recorded in Andhra Pradesh, covered under 5 major families viz., Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae.

Important butterflies requiring conservation efforts

Papilionidae

§ Spot Swordtail

§ Common Mime

Pieridae

§ Painted Jezebel (endemic to Eastern Ghats)

§ Striped Albatross

§ Common Albatross

§ Great Orange Tip

Nymphalidae

§ Orange Oakleaf

§ Tawny Rajah

§ Black Rajah

§ Common Baron

§ Common Sergeant

§ Glassy Tiger

§ Dark-brand Bushbrown

§ Common Palmfly

§ Nigger

§ Brown King Crow

§ Short-banded Sailer

§ Common Lascar

§ Painted Lady

§ Plum Judy

§ Clipper

Lycaenidae

§ Common Hedge Blue

§ Metallic Cerulean

§ Peacock Royal

§ Indian Cupid

§ Monkey Puzzle

§ Common Silverline

§ Shot Silverline

§ Forget-me-Not

Hesperiidae

§ Pale Palm Dart

§ African Marbled Skipper

§ Giant Redeye

§ Restricted Demon

§ Golden Angle

Achievements

The society has conducted various awareness programmes in educational institutions. Also many butterfly walks have been organised in and around Hyderabad. The society has been involved in various biodiversity conservation programmes conducted by governmental and non-governmental organisations. The society has received very encouraging and responsive coverage from every TV channel such as ETV, ZEE TV, MAA TV, TV9, and Gemini TV and from prominent newspapers such as The Hindu, The Times of India, Deccan Chronicle and EENADU highlighting our concerns and activities periodically.

Facilities for members of the society

§ Regular butterfly field trips

§ Indoor meetings conducted for lectures

§ Discussions and talks

§ Film and slide shows

§ Annual nature camps in various wildlife sanctuaries and parks

§ Nature photography

§ Access to library periodicals, journals and research papers on butterflies

The Butterfly Conservation Society (BCS) Hyderabad, AP depends on voluntary support of its members and that of philanthropic organisations and other individuals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact:

President/Secretary,
Butterfly Conservation Society
1-2-365/20
Domalguda
Hyderabad – 500029
Andhra Pradesh
Phone: 09441186822 (C), 040-27638316 (LL)
E-mail: bcs_ap@yahoogroups.com

Western Ghats ButterflyIndia Meet 2007 Photo

2007-06-11T11:28:00.000+05:30

Here are the links to the photographs

Western Ghats Meet Schedule

2007-05-21T14:22:00.000+05:30

Schedule of Western Gahts Meet 1-4 June 2007

June 1, 2007 Friday

10.00 - 11.00	Inauguration and Introduction - Introductions of Participants and ButterflyIndia group and Meets
10.30 – 16:00	Full day field trip Shendruney WLS (Packed Lunch)
16:00 – 17:30	Rest
17:30 – 19.00	Discussions and Interactive sessions ‘Butterflies of Shendurney WLS’ Presentation : C.Susanth, B.V.Premkrishnan and S.Rohit
19.00 – 20.00	Dinner

June 2, 2007 Saturday

09.00 –16.00	Full day field trip (Packed Lunch) three or four separate groups to Ariappa, and Shendurney WLS
16:00 – 17:30	Rest
17:30 – 19.00	Discussions and Interactive sessions Presentations : Sohini Vanjari
19.00 – 20.00	Dinner

June 3, 2007 Sunday

09.00 –16.00	Full day field trip (Packed Lunch) three or four separate groups to Ariappa, and Shendurney WLS
16:00 – 17:30	Rest
17:30 – 19.00	Discussions and Interactive sessions Presentation : Krushnamegh Kunte
19.00 – 20.00	Dinner

June 4, 2007 Monday

09.00 –12.00	Short field trip in Shendurney WLS
12:00 – 13:00	Lunch
13:00 – 15.00	Discussions and Concluding session

How to reach Eastern Ghats Meet Site

2007-05-02T14:11:00.000+05:30

Maredimilli near rampachodavaram is the camp site for our Eastern Ghats meet in 2007. We request all the participants to meet at Rajamundry railway station. We will be organizing the transportation from Rajamundry to Camp site and back to Rajamundry. We will start the programme on at 2.00 pm on 16 August 2007.

Maredimilli is about 70 Kms from Rajamundry. Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation run regular buses from Rajamundry bus station to Maredimilli. The Bus station is near to Railway station. It is about 3 hour’s journey from Rajamundry to Maredimilli.

How to reach Western Ghats Meet Site

2007-03-27T23:01:00.000+05:30

The site of the meet is going to be Thenmala. The participants will have to report at Thenmala Forest Information Centre. by 31st May evening, so as to start the program from 1st June morning.

Thenmala Dam is situated 62 km from Trivandrum (Tvm) and is on Trivandrum-Shenkottai NH.You get the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses from Trivarndrum Bus station. The buses to Trivandrum-Thenkassi (Kerala-Tamil Nadu Interstate buses) go through Thenmala Dam. It is about 2.15 hours journey from Trivandrum.Other buses go through this direction are Tvm-Thenmala and Tvm--Aryankavu pass.

Nearest Airport is Trivandrum and Nearest Railway station is Kollam.You can get it down at Kollam Railway station. The Kollam-Thenkashi buses ( K.S.R.T.C) are plying from Kollam Kerala Road Transport Bus Two Trains are go to Kollam-Shenkottai meter gage line. one at early morning (6.30 am) and other at 12pm.The traveling through kollam-shenkottai meter gage is really a memorable trip for you.Station.From Trivandum Thampanoor Bus station every one hour you get Trivandrum-Thenkasi bus. The first bus from tvm bus station starts on 4.45,other schedule 6.45am,8 am,9 am 10am 11 am 12 pm 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 7pm 8pm and 9.30pm.The last bus from Trivandrum will be at 9.30pm.You can come through Madurai side(Tamil Nadu). Madurai - Thirunellveli - Thenkasi - Shenkotta - Aryankavupass (Kerala) - Thenmala - Thenmala Dam (destination).

Kollam is the nearest town to Thenmala Dam

You can reach Thenmala Dam by Buses plying from Kollam

to Thenkasi/Aryan Kavu/Thenmala/Shencottai/Coortalam.

FROM MADRAS

Madras to Madurai, Madurai to Thirunelveli, Thirunelveli

to Thenkasi/Ambasamudram, Thenkasi to Thenmala Dam.

FROM THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Thenmala Dam is approximately 76 km away from

Trivandrum.You can reach Thenmala Dam by buses plying

to Thenkasi/Thenmala/Aryankavu.The bus timings from

Trivandrum Kerala State Road Transport Corporation Bus

Stand (Thampanoor) are given below

Time

1.4.40am-TVM-Thenkasi (First Bus)-Destination is

Thenmala Dam Stop.

2.6.30am-TVm-Thenkasi

3.7.30am-Tvm-Thenkasi

4.8.30am-Tvm-Thenkasi

5.9.30am-Tvm-Thenkasi

6.10.30am-Tvm-Thenkasi

7.11.30am-Tvm-Thenkasi

8.1.45pm-Tvm-Thenkasi

9.3pm-Tvm-Thenmala (2.30pm?? Please contact K.S.R.T.C enquiry counter

10.3.30pm-Tvm-Thenkasi

11.4.30pm-Tvm-Thenkasi

12.5.30pm-Tvm-Thenkasi

13.6.30pm-Tvm-Thenkasi

14.8.30pm-Tvm-Thenkasi

15.9.30pm-Tvm-Thenkasi (Last Bus- Please Don't wait for last bus)

If you need more details/information please contact Susanth by mobile phone number is 09447699236. And landline number is 0471-2437244 (6am to 9.45am and 6pm to 11pm)

Invitation : ButterflyIndia Meet - 2007 : Western Ghats

2007-03-17T23:43:00.000+05:30

I am happy to invite you all to "ButterflyIndia Meet 2007 : Western Gahts". This year the meet is planned at Shendurny WLS Near Trivandrum in Kerala (More details on how reach will be posted soon). The meet is scheduled between 1-4th June 2007. This meet will be organised by ButterflyIndia and Warblers and Waders, Trivandrum.

Primary objective of this email is to get a number, which will help in better planning. More details on formal registration will be made available in the due course.

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

Anyone interested in serious butterflying is welcome for this meet. We expect them to be members of ButterflyIndia Yahoogroup.

To express your interest in this meeting please click on the link ( http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ButterflyIndia/database?method=addRecord&tbl=10 ) and enter the detail in the Yahoogroups database (You need to log in using yahoo id), or send an email to me .

Regular updates on the meet will be available here.

Invitation : ButterflyIndia Meet 2007 : Eastern Ghats

2007-03-15T22:27:00.000+05:30

I am happy to invite you all to "ButterflyIndia Meet 2007 : Eastern Ghats" . This year the meet is planned at Rampachodavaram Near Rajamundry (60 Kms). in Andhral
Pradesh (More details on how reach will be posted soon). The meet is scheduled between 16-19th August 2007. The meet will be organized by ButterflyIndia and Butterfly Conservation Society, Andhra Pradesh.

Primary objective of this email is to get a number, which will help in better planning. More details on formal registration will be made available in the due course.

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

Anyone interested in serious butterflying is welcome for this meet. We expect them to be members of ButterflyIndia Yahoogroup.

To express your interest in this meeting please click Here and enter the detail in the Yahoogroups database (You need to log in using yahoo id), or send an email to me .

Regular updates on the meet will be available here.

Location Suggestions for Meet 2006

2007-01-24T11:08:00.000+05:30


Sl No	Location	Time Period	Suggested By
1	bondla (goa)	August-September	Amol Patwardhan
2	kudremukh (karnataka)	August-September	Amol Patwardhan
3	coimbatore ( siruvani/silent valley)	August-September	Amol Patwardhan
4	jim corbette (uttaranchal)	August-September	Amol Patwardhan
5	mussoorie (uttaranchal)	August-September	Amol Patwardhan
6	Arunachal	August End	Yuwaraj
7	Kudremukh		Yuwaraj
8	Nameri wildlife sanctuary (Assam)		Nelson
9	Sikkim		Anchal Sondhi
10	Eastern ghats (around the Tirupati Thirumala Hills?)		Dhaval
11	Andamans		Dhaval
12	Lakshadweep		Dhaval

ButterflyIndia Meet 2007

2007-01-23T15:50:00.000+05:30

I would like to kick off the the "ButterflyIndia Meet 2007" discussion. We are already nearing end of January 2007. And we need to get going for a good meet.

Krushnamegh's email today has prompted me the urgency.

I feel we should start planning now itself, so that we have choice of Location and Best time for the meet for 2007.

So start poring the suggestions.

And keep visiting this Blog for the updates.

Best Photo of 2006 : Slideshow

2007-01-03T22:07:00.000+05:30

Best Photo of 2006

2007-01-03T15:03:00.000+05:30

Here are the Best Photo of 2006 by members of ButterflyIndia. Click on the image for full size.

Nelson. rodrigues
nelexl@yahoo.com

Krushnamegh Kunte
krushnamegh@mail.utexas.edu

Amol Patwardhan
power_amol@yahoo.com

Alka Vaidya
chitralka@gmail.com

Yuwaraj
yuwarajg@yahoo.com

Amol Patwardhan
power_amol@yahoo.com

Mayilvahnan
msmayil@yahoo.com

Isaac Kehimkar
isaackehimkar@yahoo.co.in

Arif Siddiqui
arunachal.arif@gmail.com

Rahul Natu
rahulnatu@gmail.com

Rahul Natu
rahulnatu@gmail.com

Rahul Natu
rahulnatu@gmail.com

Ashwin Baindur
ashwin_baindur@yahoo.com

Bhumesh Bharti
bhumeshbharti@yahoo.com

Bhumesh Bharti
bhumeshbharti@yahoo.com

ShivaShankar,
shivanayak@gmail.com

Rama Mulye
ramamulye@yahoo.co.uk

Rama Mulye
ramamulye@yahoo.co.uk

Rama Mulye
ramamulye@yahoo.co.uk

K.Rafeek
k_rafeek66@yahoo.co.uk

K.Rafeek
k_rafeek66@yahoo.co.uk

Avinash Sant
avinashsant@yahoo.com

Anup P
anup.payyakkil@gmail.com

Abhijit Aavalaskar
abhijit.avalaskar@gmail.com

Tushar Nidambur
tushar.nidambur@gmail.com

Shubhada Nnikharge
shubhada_nikharge@yahoo.co.in

Sajeev TK
isajeev@yahoo.com

Vijay Barve
vjaybarve@yahoo.com

Vijay Barve
vjaybarve@yahoo.com

Ravi Vaidya
chocolate.albatross@gmail.com

Katie Bagli
katiebagli@yahoo.co.in

Katie Bagli
katiebagli@yahoo.co.in

Hari S
harigoog1e@gmail.com

C Susanth
greyheadedbulbul@yahoo.co.in

Meet Photo Links

2006-09-11T15:57:00.000+05:30

People & Landscapes By Yuwaraj

Macros By Yuwaraj

Butterfly Pictures by Yuwaraj

Butterfly Photo by Vijay

Arunachal Magic by Vidya Rao

Flickr Photos by Vidya Rao

Photos by Amol Patwardhan

Identified Photos by All (Needs Yahoo Id and Password)

Meet Schedule

2006-08-01T22:27:00.000+05:30


Day1 - August 21st	Welcome Address & Introduction to Arunachal	11AM - 1PM
Field Trip (Whole Group)	1PM - 5PM
Theme Workshop 0	5:30PM - 7:30PM
Theme Workshop 1	8:30PM - 10PM
Day2 - August 22nd
Field Survey - Full Day (Divided into multiple teams)	6:30AM - 5:30PM	Including travel/transport time
Conclusion of the Field Trip	6PM- 7:30PM
Theme Workshop 2	8PM-9:30PM


Day3 - August 23rd
Field Survey - Full Day (Divided into multiple teams)	6:30AM - 5:30PM	Including travel/transport time
Conclusion of the Field Trip	6PM- 7:30PM
Theme Workshop 3	8PM-9:30PM


Day4 - August 24th
Field Survey - Full Day (Divided into multiple teams)	6:30AM - 5:30PM	Including travel/transport time
Conclusion of the Field Trip	6PM- 7:30PM
Theme Workshop 4	8PM-9:30PM


Day5 - August 2	Breakfast with Butterflies (for Children)	7AM - 9:30AM
EcoTourism Seminar for Local People	9AM - 10AM	Done in parallel
Field Trip (Whole Group)	9:30AM - 11:30AM
Conclusion & Vote of Thanks	11:30AM - 12:30AM

Workshop	Description	Lead Team
Introduction to Butterflies of NE India	An introduction to biodiversity of NE India, a more specific introduction to leipidoptera fauna of NE India with focus on Eastern Himalayas & Arunachal & finally Jairampur	Prasanth Saikia & Arif Siddiqui
Conservation Networking in NE India	Challenges in building a conservation network in a sparsly networked place like NE India, identifying areas, organisations & mapping their roles. Identifying people to take up the conservation plans further, identifying close links with forest department, identifyng people to interact with rest of India/World.	Vijay Barve & Maan Barua
Butterfly Gardening and Eco Tourism	Basics of butterfly rearing and gardening. How to start it in small scale at home or hotels and promote this idea along with eco-tourism.	C Susanth Kumar & Alka Bhagwat
Scientific Orientation to Butterfly Watching	How to bring in scientific orientation to amateur butterflying. How to make butterfly watchers contribute to science in a more systematic manner - at a personal level and as a large group like ButterflyIndia.	Amol Patwardhan

Meet T Shirt

2006-07-27T10:07:00.000+05:30

We are making T Shirts of ButterflyIndia group on the occasion of Meet 2006.

The credits for this goes to Arif Siddiqui for the Photograph, Kamlesh Mehta for the Design and Yuwaraj Gurjar for the Concept and Execution.

These T shirts will be part of Registration for the members who are attending the Meet 2006.

The members who are not able to make it for the meet are also encouraged to buy them.

The price of the T shirt is Rs. 175/-. There are M, L, XL or XXL. It is white T shirt.
Please note that it is an artists impression of the design and NOT photograph of actual product.

Please get in touch with ONE of the following people for your orders at the earliest. As the Meet is approaching fast, and we need some time to produce these shirts, please respond soon.

Yuwaraj Gurjar < yuwarajg@yahoo.com>
Vijay Barve < vijay.barve@gmail.com>

Contacts in Jairampur

2006-07-19T22:11:00.000+05:30

Arif Siddiqui Phone - 91-3800-222770, Mobile - 09436057366

Nobin Tikhak, Secretary NSEWC. Phone - 91-3800-222679, 222814 Mob- 9436057453

FAQ ButterflyIndia Meet 2006

2006-07-14T16:43:00.000+05:30

[This document is being updated frequently.]

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

It is "ButterflyIndia Meet 2006".

Should I bring a sleeping bag?

Yes, it is recommended to bring sleeping bag with you.

Is it raining in Jairampur ? Should I bring Raincoat / Umbrella?

It is going to rain in Jairampur during the meet days. It is mandatory to bring two piece (Shirt Pant) raincoat and lot of polythene covers to protect your belongings.

Should I carry woolens ?

The temparture at Jairampur will be hot and humid and may go up to 35-38 degrees if no clouds and rains for many days . Nights are a little cold but no woolen are required.

Please note that if you are travelling to areas like Tawang before or after the meet, you may need to carry medium/light woolen.

Is person X going to be there ?

Check out at Here

C - Confirmed
T - Tentative
D - Dropped

What kind of accommodation will be available?

The stay is going to be a local school from 20th afternoon to 25th afternoon.

Would Mobile phones work there ?

There is decent connectivity for BSNL mobiles.

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

Will be intimated soon.

What kind of food will be available?

Simple Vegetarian food will be there.

What should I bring there?

Sleeping bag, Rainwear, essential cloths and medicine, field guides, and camera (if you have). A Mosquito net & camp torch is required per participant (mandatory) A plastic cover which can accommodate all the bags (of a participant) would be ideal in case of heavy rain.

How do I reach there?

Check out here

What about Inner Line Permit (ILP) ?

It is required to have Inner Line ermit Check the details here.

[The ILP are required only when entering the Arunachal Pradesh. In this case all the ILPs will be checked at Jairampur Gate itself as this this town is exactly on Assam-Arunachal Border.The copies of ILP will be made available with the officer in charge of police at check gate well in advance. Myself or my friends from NSEWC will also be there at gate to receive members. The original ILP I will handover to you when you reach Jairampur. Member should note that this ILP would be purely for Jairampur area, it cant serve to enter other location in Arunachal Pradesh.]

Waht about Bank or ATMs in Jairampur ?

Unfortunately there are no ATMs there. SBI has a branch.

Are there Medicial Shops ?

Yes.

I still have questions

Write to Vijay Barve - vijay.barve@gmail.com or Arif - arif_arunachal@yahoo.com

Inner Line Permit (ILP)

2006-07-13T16:55:00.000+05:30

We need Inner Line Permit(ILP) for travelling to Jairampur. Arif has kindly agreed to process it for us. For that we need the folowing details.

Sl. No.	Name	Father/Husband Name	Age	Sex	Permanent Address	Occupation	Profile (in two or three lines

With this two passport size photos and photocopy of any document showing the Permanent residential address is required.

As time is short you are requested to send the details and scanned copies of the Photographs and documents to me (vijay.barve@gmail.com) at the earliest.

Note: The ILP are required only when entering the Arunachal Pradesh. In this case all the ILPs will be checked at Jairampur Gate itself as this this town is exactly on Assam-Arunachal Border.The copies of ILP will be made available with the officer in charge of police at check gate well in advance. Myself or my friends from NSEWC will also be there at gate to receive members. The original ILP I will handover to you when you reach Jairampur. Member should note that this ILP would be purely for Jairampur area, it cant serve to enter other location in Arunachal Pradesh.

Meet 2006 : Final Call

2006-07-10T15:34:00.000+05:30

It is my pleasure to inform you the details of the ButterflyIndia Meet 2006 to be held at Jairampur in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh. The official program will be from Afternoon of 21st August (Monday) 2006 and ends on Afternoon of 25th August (Friday) 2006. The details of the program schedule is being worked out and would be made available on the site ( http://butterflyindia.blogspot.com/) soon. The program is going to be full of field visits.

If you have not registered yet, please do it immediately ( Click here for Registration ). We still have few limited seats on first come first serve basis.

If you have already registered, start planning your travel, make sure your name is there in the participants list

More about Jairampur

2006-06-26T11:18:00.000+05:30

Jairampur & adjacent forests fall under an IBA notified by IBCN as Namtok- Namheik-Nampong-Manmao. This is a small IBA compared the neighbouring Namdhapha - however, the area has a similar richness in butterflies and a better road access than Namdhapha

Three full-day trekking routes are identified (subject to change acc. local wisdom of Arif)

Rima-Lungpang Area

Kanlala-Manmao Area

Namgoi-Kovin Area

and all these places are excellent butterfly areas. The forests here are interspread with jhoom plantations and a river or a stream criss crosses the forests in most paths. The idea is to divide the team into small units and drop them along the route and pick them back in the evening. This way we will get a very good cover of the area and Arif can finally come up with a consolidated checklist of this area.

Apart from butterflies, people can also keep a look out for birds (several mid-altitudinal species occur here in abundance), dragonflies (extremly interesting), spiders, snakes etc.

Our stay is arranged at a place which is centrally located from all these places. There is excellent habitat very next this and some of us can take some school children during one of the "less-field work" days to show the butterflies. Same as the popular "Breakfast with Butterflies" programme.

And on the weather - rains are inevitable in Arunchal. Twin piece rain coat is a MUST for field work. A plastic bag which can enclose all the bags, equipments & clothes of the participant is also required to keep them dry at the camp.

- By Parveen J

How to reach Jairampur

2006-06-01T15:19:00.000+05:30

Note: This is draft document and may undergo many changes over comming weeks.

Where is Jairampur?

We are located near Tinsukia, a district of Upper Assam.

Nearest Railway Station - Tinsukia - 100 Km (2.5 hrs Drive)

Nearest Airhead - Dibrugarh (Mohanbari) 150 Km (3 hrs. Drive)

Jairampur is situated on NH 153 (WW II fame Stillwell/Ledo Bhamo road) which ends at Indo-Myanmar border, 32 km from Jairampur.

How to reach Jairampur ?

A Distance Chart

By Train
From Mumbai
Two trains are coming to Guwahati from Mumbai each week.
That is 5645 Dadar Guwahati Express leaving Mumbai early morning on Wednesday and Satureday and reaching Guwahati late afternoon on Thursday and Sunday respectively. This means the people coming from Mumbai will reach Jairampur at around 7.30 AM either on Friday or Sunday. The train timings for reaching Guwahati are just fine as the Trains/Buses starting from Guwahati to Tinsukia are in the evening/nights only.

From Southern India
There is one weekly train ( from Chennai which is directly comes Tinsukia / Dibrugarh runs on Thursdays from Chennai and arrives Tinsukia at 20.00 hrs on Saturday. People coming from this train will reach Jairampur around 22.30 hrs on the same day if train is coming on time.

For the return journey
Train leaving from Guwahati to Mumbai direction on Tue/Wed/Sunday only(departure from Jairampur Mon/Tue/Sat nights) and for Chennai side these are on Tue/Fri/Sunday only (Departure from Jairampur on Mon/Thurs/Sat).
That means members from Mumbai have to stay here up Satureday (26 August) and South bound members have to stay up to Thrusday (24 August ), if they wish they can accompany their Mumbai partners and stay back here up to Saturday.

By Air
There are flights available till Dibrugarh and it would be convinient for people coming by air to fly to Dibrugarh rather than Guwahati there by avoiding a night's travel by bus.

What are the expenses?
Transportation -Rs. 150.00
Food - 200.00
Stay - 250.00
These are tentative calculations for per person per day. The costs are on higher side due to remoteness of the location.
5 Days program x Rs. 600 per day = ~Rs. 3000 per head.

We are working on minimizing the costs as well as trying to get some sort of subsidy for the program, so that the expenses will be reduced.

Note : You are welcome to plan other trips (Kaziranga, Eagle Nest, Dibang, Namdhapha etc) outside the schedule of the meet and hence can plan for a longer duration vacation in the North East.

Invitation : ButterflyIndia Meet - 2006

2006-02-27T11:53:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,

I am happy to invite you all to "ButterflyIndia Meet 2006". This year the meet is planned at Jairaampur in Arunachal Pradesh (More details on how reach will be posted soon). The meet is scheduled between 20-25th August 2006.

Primary objective of this email is to get a number, which will help in better planning. More details on formal registration will be made available in the due course.

The agenda of the meet is going to be full of field sesions and interactive sessions on topics related to butterflies like identification, conservation etc. (The draft is under preparation and will be posted soon.)

Anyone interested in serious butterflying is welcome for this meet. We expect them to be members of ButterflyIndia yahoogroup.

To express your interest in this meeting please click on the link here and enter the detail in the Yahoogroups database(You need to log in using yahoo id), or send an email to me .

Regular updates on the meet will be available at here.

Regards,

Vijay Barve
for ButterflyIndia

Meet 2006 locations

2006-02-16T09:39:00.000+05:30

Looking at all the options and suggestions, we are planning to have two meets this year. One will be in the North Eastern India (Arunachal Pradesh) and another in Eastern Ghats (Andhra Pradesh). Watch out for the announcement.

Location Suggestions for Meet 2006

2005-12-13T09:57:00.000+05:30

Some of the suggestions for the meet locations. There is also a database of this here

Location	Suggested By
Central Karnataka	Praveen J
somewhere near north	Alka Vaidya
North East	krushnamegh
North or South kannada districts	krushnamegh
Nagarjunasagar Srisailam tiger reserve	krushnamegh
Indravati NP	krushnamegh
Simlipal tiger reserve	krushnamegh
outskirts of Kanha NP	krushnamegh
Arunachal Pradesh	Arif Siddiqui
Kudremukh, Karnataka	Yuwaraj Gurjar
Rishi Valley	Praveen J
Kudremukh (KNP)	MOHANDAS TV
Seethanadi( at the foothills of Agumbe Ghats, in Someshwar Sanctuary	MOHANDAS TV

Updated on Jan 13, 2006.

ButterflyIndia Meet 2006

2005-12-10T18:16:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,

I would like to kick off the the "ButterflyIndia Meet 2006" discussion.
We are already nearing end of year 2005.

I feel we should start planning now itself, so that we have choice of
Location and Best time for the meet for 2006.

So start poring the suggestions.

Regards,

Vijay

Meet Successful

2005-09-19T15:59:00.000+05:30

We had 55+ participants for the meet and was well received by all. Sincere thanks to Malabar Natural History Society, Kerala Forest Department and the organisers.

We will put up more reports and checklists soon.

FAQ ButterflyIndia Meet 2005

2005-09-12T16:23:00.000+05:30

[This document is being updated frequently.]

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

It is "ButterflyIndia Meet 2005".

What is the registration fee for the Meet?

It is Rs. 200/- per head. (Rs. 100/- for students). Special thanks to MNHS and FD, for providing assistance, to keep the fee so less.

Should I bring a sleeping bag?

Yes, it is recommended to bring sleeping bag with you.

Is it raining in Aralam ? Should I bring Raincoat / Umbrella?

It is likely to rain in Aralam during the meet days.

Is person X going to be there ?

Check out at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ButterflyIndia/database?method=reportRows&tbl=4&sortBy=1&sortDir=down&startAt=&prntRpt=1

What kind of accommodation will be available?

Dormatories are available in Aralam WLS.

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

Check out at http://butterflyindia.blogspot.com/2005/09/schedule-of-meet.html

What kind of food will be available?

Simple Vegetarian food will be there.

What should I bring there?

Sleeping bag, Rainwear, essential cloths and medicine, field guides, and camera (if you have).

How do I reach there?

Check out at http://butterflyindia.blogspot.com/2005/07/how-to-reach-aaralam-wls.html

Where do I report? Is there any conveyance from Iritty to Aralam?

Report at the forest office I Iritty which is opposite Iritty Police station. Someone will be there to guide you.

I still have questions L

Check out how to contact at http://butterflyindia.blogspot.com/2005/09/contact-details.html

Schedule of the meet

2005-09-09T21:11:00.000+05:30

Date	Time	Activity	Anchors
16-09-05	8hrs-13hrs	Awaiting the participants, Preparation time for anchor team; Informal mingling; butterfly watching for the early birds, lunch
16-09-05	8hrs-13hrs
	14-15.30hrs	Formal Inauguration	Organizers and FD
	15.30hrs	Tea break
	16-16.45hrs	Why watch Butterflies?	E.Kunhikrishnan
	17-19.30hrs	Photographing Butterflies	TNA Perumal, Mayilvahan
	19.30-20 hrs	Dinner, Making groups for field sessions, discussions etc.
	21-22 hrs	Butterfly identification for beginners	Jaffer Pallot, Subramanian
17-09-05	7.30-8.30hrs	Breakfast
	8.30-9.30hrs	Specialist Workshop - De-hyping Blues	Susanth Kumar, Karthikeyan
	8.30-9.30hrs	Specialist Workshop - De-hyping Blues	Susanth Kumar, Karthikeyan
	10.00 -12.30 hrs	Field Session
	12.30-14hrs	Lunch
	14-15hrs	Specialist Workshop - Know your Skippers	Kunhikrishnan
	14-15hrs	Specialist Workshop - Know your Skippers	Kunhikrishnan
	15hrs	Tea break
	15.15-16hrs	Butterly Migration	Jafer Palot, Pramod
	16-18hrs	Field Session
	18-18.45hrs	Studying Lifecycles and Butterfly Gardening	Soubhadra, Kunhikrishnan
	19-19.45 hrs	Nature Education through Butterflies	Karthikeyan, Pramod
	20-21hrs	Dinner
	21-21.45hrs	Conservation of Butterfly Habitats	George Mathew, Aravind N A
	21.45-22.30 hrs	Emerging Fields- Moths	George Mathew, Alka Vaidya, Abhilash Peters
	21.45-22.30 hrs	Emerging Fields- Moths	George Mathew, Alka Vaidya, Abhilash Peters
18-09-05	7.30-8.30hrs	Breakfast
18-09-05	7.30-8.30hrs	Breakfast
	8.30-9.30hrs	Emerging Fields-Dragonflies and damselflies	Francy Kakkaserry, Subramanian
	10-12hrs	Field Session
	12.30-13.30hrs	Lunch
	13.30-15 hrs	Valedictory session
		Tea

Contact Details

2005-09-08T15:07:00.000+05:30

Bangalore

1. Vijay Barve: Ph: 080-28568000-002 (O); 09845080456(m)
2. K.A.Subramanian: Ph:080-23636420-432 (Extn:4231,4232) (O); 09845881252 (m)
3. N.A.Aravind: Ph: 09448124570(m)

Kerala (Kannur, Kozhikode)

1. Jaffer Pallot: Ph: 09447470439 (m)

Registration closes

2005-08-10T22:52:00.000+05:30

We have received an overwhelming response for the ButterflyIndia Meet
2005. Looking at the infrastructure availability, we will accept the
registrations hereafter as waitlisted here We will try to confirm them as
soon as possible, latest by 1st September 2005, I guess.

Those with "T" status are requested to confirm at the earliest. To
check your status visit and in case of any confusion please write back to me soon.

Who is Attending ?

2005-08-02T17:13:00.000+05:30

If you want to know who all are attending the meet, click here. You may be asked to provide your yahoo Id and password. Make sure your name is there.

How to reach Aaralam WLS

2005-07-14T11:58:00.000+05:30

From Bangalore

Take a bus to Kannur or Thalassery & you can alight in front of the Wildlife Warden's Office (opposite Police Station) at Iritty. Buses generally reach early in the morning. If you get down at Iritty bus stop, the office of the Wildlife Warden is just 700m from there (Auto minimum charge).

From South Kerala

By train or bus you will have to reach Thalassery. Take a private bus to Iritty (40km).

From Other Parts

By train/bus you will have to reach Kannur. Take a private bus to Iritty (44km)

Do book the tickets early -> return tickets can get tight soon as its Onam Vacation in Kerala.

Nearest Airport : Calicut (120km)

Program Sessions

2005-07-06T10:26:00.000+05:30

Here is the first draft of the program. We are working on the logistics and and other arrangements. We are also in touch with "Anchor Team" members and getting their confirmations.

Anchor team are the people who would be conductong the sessions.

Workshops : Tentative Anchor Team

Why watch butterflies?: Kunhikrishnan
Photographing Butterflies : TNA Perumal, Mayilvahan
Butterfly Identification Workshop - 1 : Jafer Palot
Butterfly Identification Workshop - 2 : Jafer Palot, K A Subramanian
Specialist Workshop - De-hyping Blues : Susanth Kumar, Karthikeyan
Specialist Workshop - Know ur Skippers : Kunhikrishnan
Butterly Migration : Jafer Palot, Soubhadra
Studying Lifecycles and Butterfly Gardening : Soubhadra, Susanth Kumar, Kunhikrishnan, Chandrashekhara
Nature Education through Butterflies : Karthikeyan, Pramod P, Susanth Kumar
Conservation of Butterfly Habitats : Kunhikrishnan, Soubhadra, George Mathew, Aravind N A
Emerging Fields - Moths : George Mathew, Alka Vaidya, Ajith Peters
Emerging Fields - Dragonflies & Damselflies : K A Subramanian, Francy Kakkassery

Bold indicates participation confirmed.

Hope you all find this interesting and useful. Send me your sugeastions
to finetune it, if any. (vijay.barve@gmail.com).

Invitation : ButterflyIndia Meet - 2005

2005-06-28T14:14:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,

I am happy to invite you all to "ButterflyIndia Meet 2005". This year the meet is planned at Aaralam WLS in Northern Kerala (More details on "How to reach" will be posted soon). The meet is scheduled between 16-18th September 2005.

Primary objective of this message is to get a number, which will help in better planning. More details on formal registration (if any) will be made available in the due course.

The agenda of the meet is going to be full of interactive sessions on
topics related to butterflies like identification, conservation,
migration, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies etc. (The draft is under preparation and will be posted soon.)

Anyone interested in serious butterflying is welcome for this meet. We expect them to be members of ButterflyIndia yahoogroup.

To express your interest in this meeting please click on the link HERE and enter the details in the Yahoogroups database(You need to log in using yahoo id). or send an email to me.

Regular updates on the meet will be available

Regards,

Vijay Barve
for ButterflyIndia

Welcome

2005-06-22T15:28:00.000+05:30

Welcome to Buterflyndia Blog. You will see information on the ButterflyIndia meets and related stuff. Keep revisiting this page.