NOVEMBER,2023

Gateway to Uttarakhand (Rajaji NP, Jhilmil Conservation Reserve, Haiderpur Wetlands & Kotdwar)

Dates: 29th Nov - 3rd Dec 2023

Rajaji National Park

Nestled between the Shivalik hills and the Ganges basin is a lesser-known tiger reserve called the Rajaji National Park. Though not as popular as the neighbouring Corbett National Park the park is very rewarding in wildlife. Besides its large mammals like elephants, tigers and leopards, it is known for its abundant avifauna, with over 300 species recorded in the Park. Birds like the Great Hornbill, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Maroon Oriole, White-crested Laughingthrush, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Collared Falconet, Brown Fish-Owl, and Khaleej Pheasant.

Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve

A lesser-known marshy grassland, Jhilmil Jheel is a part of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve and is one of the few last remaining Terai marshlands in the country. The reserve acts as a corridor for the Rajaji National Park and is home to Uttarakhand's last surviving herd of the Western Swamp Deer popularly known as the Barasingha because of the majestic antlers on the male of the species. Besides mammals, the place is known for its birds such as White-tailed Stonechat, Oriental Pied Hornbill, White-naped Woodpecker, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Egyptian Vulture, Hair-crested Drongo, Pied Harrier and Pallas’s Fish-Eagle.

Haiderpur Wetlands

Located on the Ganges plains within Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary Haiderpur Wetland is a prime wetland, which hosts large numbers of waterfowl during the migration season. One can spot species like Common Merganser, Ruddy Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Common Teal, Greylag Goose, Common Pochard, Bar-headed Goose, Northern Pintail, Red-crested Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, Mallard, and Ferruginous Pochard (White-eyed Duck). Besides the wetland birds one could also stumble upon Yellow-bellied Prinia, Indian Grassbird, Moustached Warbler, Streaked Weaver. On the other side of the Bijnor barrage the sand banks of the Ganges are a great place to spot Mugger Crocodile, Gharials, along with birds like Sand Lark, Grey-throated Martin, and  Black-bellied Tern.

Kotdawar

Located on the western edge of the Himalayan foothills and also between the Rajaji and Corbett National Park, Kotdawar is a lesser-known birding paradise that has remained hidden away. Due to its location, the place is known for its lower Himalayan species like Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Blue Whistling Thrush, Little Pied Flycatcher, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, White-crested Laughingthrush, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush,  Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Common Green-Magpie, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler, Himalayan Black-lored Tit, Green-backed Tit, Bar-tailed Treecreeper to name a few.

Batch Size: 10 only

Camp Charges: Rs 55,975/- for members and Rs 57,475/-for others (ex-Dehradun).

Accommodation: Twin Sharing

Cost includes: All accommodation, meals (B/L/D) from first-day lunch to last day breakfast, transfers to and from Dehradun, permits, and entry to Park.

Cost excludes: Flight/rail tickets, all expenses of personal nature like laundry, tips, beverages, camera fees, any expenses not specified under ‘cost includes’.’

Reporting: Pick up from Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun at 9:30 a.m. and drop at Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun at 5:30 p.m. on the last day.

Procedure for Registrations:

Step 1: Fill the online registration form: https://bit.ly/Uttarakhand_2023

Step 2: Make payment (at least 50%) for the camp using the bank details given at the end of the registration form.

Step 3: Share transaction details at programmes@bnhs.org to confirm your seat