Peepli Poonam Fair Mount Abu 18 May 2019

The Annual congregation on Peepli Poonam of Gracias to pay obeisance to their departed souls.

The Unique Blue Full Moon

Gracias arriving in waves

The tribal womenfolk 

At the lake

Thousands of Gracias (Tribal ) from Rajasthan come to Nakki Lake for Buddha Purnima. Their zest for fun and frolic is out of this world. View the vibrant traditional attire of these tribal folks and experience their joyful singing. This annual meeting is something akin to the Maha Kumbh festival. Today, Abu will witness the colourful gaiety of these fun-loving folks. Tomorrow they will be gone and they will leave the Abode of the gods with fond memories of this place. Abuites will again look forward to their gathering on the Flower full moon next year.

Wild dogs of Mount Abu

Meet wild pariahs of Mount Abu.

Mount Abu, like all other cities, towns and hamlets, has its own share of pariah dogs that live off food thrown to them by the local populace. Most of them scavenge garbage cans and dumping grounds. Of late, I have observed these dogs forming small packs and going into the forest area to hunt for prey.

Yesterday I photographed one such pack

Leader of the pack wild dog

Mt. Abu Wild Dogs

This pack of five dogs has become a force to reckon with. They specialise in catching squirrels, mongooses, goats and the local langur. I have witnessed them tearing a goat to pieces within a few minutes. Their teamwork and the effect of bringing an animal down are mind-boggling. I believe at night this pack swells to a larger pack, and they go rampaging the outskirts of the city and parts of the forest. I know leopards pick up stray parish dogs, but I’m sure it would not risk trying to pick a dog from a pack such as this.  

Summer Festival Mount Abu 2019

Summer Festival 10 and 11 May 2019 Mount Abu.

Tourists take part in the events offered to you by the Mount Abu folks. The summer festival will start tomorrow and will end on the eleventh evening.

Summer Festival Mount Abu 2019.

Red-wattled Lapwing loses to the Daman. Mount Abu

Nature taking its toll 'Survival of the fittest'

The birds defended their nest for over a week after the initial surprise attack by the Daman caught them off guard it swallowed 2 eggs, a few days ago it swiped one more egg. Today 12 April 2019 it finally got the last remaining egg. It was painful to watch the Red-wattled lapwings fighting to save its eggs at the cost of almost losing their own lives. A group of passerby was on the verge of stoning the Daman on its last foray for the solitary egg that had survived. I had to shout and stop them from their wanton act of inter fearing with the dictates of nature. The photographs and the small video I've posted says it all. 

Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus

Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus

Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus TRYING TO ATTACK DAMAN

Daman or Rat snake

This short video says it all.

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The final drama between the  Red-wattled Lapwing and the Daman

The Impending woes Forest fires Mount Abu.

‘The Tinderbox ready to go BOOM,' Mount Abu.

Firefighters pressed into service

Wildfire in Mo0unt Abu Forest on the way to Abu Road

Fire on the Mountain

While driving down Abu Road, we witnessed heavy activity and frantic vehicular movement. The forest department, the fire brigade and private water tankers were all pressed into service to contain the wildfire that had started midway up the slopes near Chippaburry.

This year, because of the drought conditions caused by the scanty rainfall, have caused our green vegetation to go bone-dry. Ideal conditions such as hot temperatures, a strong wind, and dry weather for combustion. With these existing factors, all that’s needed is a spark in the form of arson. A burning cigarette butt thrown carelessly or a glass bottle thrown by drinkers at the side of the footpaths that magnifies a ray of sunlight ignites grass around it.

Mount Abu has witnessed many outbreaks of forest fires over the years. Fighting fire is not only dangerous, but our departments are also ill-equipped and understaffed to tackle any major fire outbreak. Firefighting in the forest area is one of the most dreadful challenges faced by man. Our DFO Balaji Kari has been for months getting his men ready for such wildfire outbreaks. Abuites are in for a rough tourist season this summer with rationed water. Bad roads and the last thing we need is the forest fire to add to our woes.  

Congratulations to the Team Of Abuites who helped in dousing off the fire.