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Location:
Panvel Taluka Of Raigad District, Maharashtra
Area: 4. 27-sq-km
Attraction: Trekker's Paradise
Best Time To Visit: October To February
Karnala
Bird Sanctuary is situated in Panvel Taluka of Raigad District of Konkan
Region covering an area of 4.27-sq-km. This sanctuary is located at the
bottom of the Karnala fort, which lies between Pen and Panvel. The
sanctuary is around 25m high from the sea level, while the fort itself
is 370m from the sea level.
Flora
The
vegetation type is moist deciduous forest. The tree species found here
are Koshimb, Mango, Nana, Kulu, Kalam, Asana, Umbar and Teak in the top
canopy. The sanctuary is very rich in avifauna as the ecological
conditions of the tract favour a large variety of bird populations. A
casual walk through the forests is an unfailing source of joy, with the
list of bird-song ringing in the air
Fauna
Rich
with natural habitats the sanctuary abounds in bird life with various
kinds of resident and migrant birds. One can find around 150 species of
birds of resident and 37 species of migratory birds that visit the
sanctuary during winters. It has two distinct seasons for bird watching.
In the monsoon season one can watch Paradise Flycatcher, Shama or
Magpie, Robin, and the Malabar Whistling Thrush, which are some of the
most melodious avian songsters.
A variety other birds Racket-Tailed Drongo, Red Vented Bulbul, Horn
Bill, Myna, Owl, Ashy Rain War Blur, and two rare birds Ashy Minimet and
Spotted heart Woodpeckers have been sighted here. The Racket-Tailed
Drongo skill in the air and felicity to mimic the call of other birds
make it a great favourite amongst the bird-watchers.
In winter, the migrants take over and the pattern of bird life changes.
The migrants include a variety of birds such as the Blackbird,
Blue-Headed Rock-Thrush, Bluethroat, Blackheaded Cuckoo-Shrike and a
host of others.
The forests are also ideal as a harbourage to wild animals. Though this
sanctuary is principally a bird sanctuary, many other interesting forms
wildlife like Panther, Wild Boar, Four-Horned Antelope, Muntjak, Common
Langur and the African Monkeys are also seen here.
Best
Time To Visit
Karnala
is worth visiting all year round except between March and June. Bird
watchers are advised to bring powerful binoculars to avoid
disappointment.
OTHER
ATTRACTIONS
The
fort of Karnala located 370m from sea level is a trekker's paradise. Its
steep rocks are a challenge for trekkers. Beautiful golden sand beaches
of Tondavali, Tarakali and Vengurala are with in a distance of 10-km
from the sanctuary area.
HOW
TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest
airport is Mumbai , at 70-km from the sanctuary.
Rail: Nearest railway station is Panvel, at 12-km on Diva-Panvel
section of Central Railway line.
Road: Mumbai to Karnala is 60-km, by road. One can reach Karnala
from Mumbai via Thane creek and Panvel. Karnala is 120-km away from Pune
and 13-km away from Panvel. State Transport buses ply regularly from
Bombay Pune Station, Panvel, Khopoli, and Pen.
WHERE
TO STAY
There
is rest house available for accommodation at the Karnala sanctuary with
2 suits in Class I and 4 suits in Class II.
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