Made a trip to Panna Wildlife Sanctuary in Northern MP. Although it’s a tiger reserve, we certainly didn’t see any big cats – not a single carnivore for that matter. There was a lone pug-mark during the last jeep ride but none of the excitement that one has when [...]

Took the long weekend to go to Dandeli in North Karnataka. Having heard so much about the forest over the years, maybe I expected too much. Species density for both, flora and fauna – was decidedly low although the forest itself looked lush enough at first glance. However, being mostly Teak plantation, even that tattered [...]

I’ve been to Malshej Ghat before but this time it was well after the monsoon had withdrawn from Western India. We stayed at the Flamingo Resort which has deteriorated a lot since the last visit. It was in private hands for a while and now that the MTDC has [...]

Going to Amboli [1st - 5th] was worth it, I have to say. The train was an hour late while returning and 7½ hours late when we went!
Among other things, the 45 species of butterflies we saw included at least three first time sightings for me including the Malabar Spotted Flat [Celaenorrhinus [...]

Haven’t had a long break for ages so the trip to Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, about 200 km South of here, was very welcome. It’s a lovely green place and I thoroughly enjoyed camping there but for one thing. The tree cover, in many areas, comprises exotic species like Eucalyptus and even (horrors!) Casuarina. Most of [...]

Made a trip to Germany for ten days last month. Got tied up with work on my return and never did get around to writing about it at all.
Visited Interzum (interior products and services fair) in Cologne and Ligna (for the wood industry) at Hanover. Both were huge – the latter needed bus routes inside [...]

Was in Rajkot from 16-18 June and quite disappointed with the architecture – or lack of it. Expected to see beautiful Havelis and old style houses but my hopes were dashed on the concrete boxes that have sprung up like weeds in an unkempt garden.
On a single trip to the town of Wankaner I didn’t [...]