My Thanks and Appreciation To our Abu Administration. [ 30/09/2016 ]

Thanks and Appreciation

I want to express my gratitude to my friends who helped us during the flood on September 28th.
I want to thank SDM Jitendra Kumar Soni and his team for helping me and my partner Elizabeth evacuate during a difficult time.
I'm so appreciative of all of you stepping in to help us Abuites in times of need.
Thankfully, the rain of God’s wrath on the Abode of the Gods abated and the rising waters that were threatening to flood my house once again receded. Life is back to normal and thankfully everything at this end of the world is limping back to brighter days and a brighter future.
Will post a few snaps of the rising waters as and when Eddie, a good friend and buddy, posts them to me.
Some updates on Mount Abu.

The SDM Jitendra Kumar Soni chaired a meeting attended by the organisers of the different Garba Mandals. They decided they would hold the Garbas at 4 different venues. Navratri Garba celebrations will begin in Mount Abu On the 5th of October 2013.

Photos posted today by Eddie

The rising waters on Saturday 28.

Bear Attack and Hazard to Locals Mount Abu [ 24/09/2013 ]

Bear Attack and Hazard to Locals Mount Abu

Over the years, the population of the Sloth bear has been steadily increasing while that of the Leopard has been on the decline, so have the population of the Samba.

Almost every year there have been reports of bear attacks on the local population of this town. Quite a few have been seriously maimed for life. The most recent attack took place on Saturday 21 September 2013. These bears are most dangerous when roaming with their cubs.

Easy pickings in town from garbage are seductive to these critters and people not suspecting that they would meet up suddenly with them end up being mauled and maimed for life.

I believe that the old lady attacked had gone to pray at a temple and on her way home, met up with this unfortunate incident. You can read it by clicking this link.

Bear Knocks out woman's eye

Received the two gruesome images via my phone

I request tourists visiting Mount Abu to please be aware and alert, especially while walking down lonely roads at night. I have encountered the bear on many an occasion. Thankfully, I've been on my scooter and not on foot.

 Taken In the St.Ann's church premises mid-day

Mt. Abu Abode of Gods presents some Refreshing Links

Mt. Abu Abode of Gods presents 

My apologies to all you lovers of Abu. I know I've been off the circuit for some time now. After my accident on the 16^th of April, I just wasn't in the frame of mind to do anything. I drifted off into limbo and believe me three months on the broad of my back made me realize what HELL on earth is all about.

I'm posting some links today relating to “The Abode” to refresh your nostalgia for this beautiful and memorable place called Abu.

Mount Abu is the place to visit in one's lifetime

Over the years I have been photographing the birds of Mount Abu and so far I have chronicled a little over a hundred different birds.

AVIFAUNA OF MOUNT ABU

My Movie Monkeys DAY Out

BERA An AMAZING Leopard lair Habitat

BERA An AMAZING Leopard lair Habitat

Last year I visited Bera on Valentine's Day. The leopard man of Bera, Oops the title should be of India, took us on an amazing leopard safari in which, heck why say anything more follow this link  ‘Incredible Bera’.

Walter my brother–in–law, and the night before last decided on the spur of the moment over a few drinks that it was time to pay an old buddy and Gijjery dost, a visit. We phoned Kunoo, (Thakur Devi Singh of Bera) and told him we were two old F__ _ _! Were going to gate crash his domain and accompany him on his daily visit to see his love for the elusive leopards. Kunoo has been photographing and keeping records of leopards in his realm for aeons. The massive collection of videos that he has on these animals could possibly make him a contender for a Guinness world record not only in India but also probably in the world. 

“The Leopard Man”

We drove down to Bera after lunch and reached the resort by 4 pm. Kunoo was there to greet us personally and after a hot cuppa,  we went along with him to visit his favourite haunts where the leopards roam free.

“Free” my friend is an understatement; the leopards of this area are fit and surviving because of the herculean labour of love of this man. In his endeavours toward saving these animals “The Leopard Man” has compensated villagers personally for the loss of animals to the leopards. The government's apathy towards the rural folks is a well-known fact if it wasn’t for Mr Singh’s intervention in making the village folks understand the importance of the preservation of these animals they would have gone the same way the Tigers of this area. Tigers were hunted for sport by the ruling British and the elite Rajputs of former times. Today the demand for the leopard’s skin and the price it fetches make it an easy target for poachers and traders of illegal animal skins. Previously that leopard which lifted an animal from the poor herders' flock was got rid of by poisoning the carcass that it would return to. The terrain of Bera supports very little wildlife so the leopard in order to survive picks up grazing animals in and around this territory. I’m pasting an extract from WWF-India's Mission. Can anyone estimate the chances of survival of these graceful predators in and around this area?

The total estimated number of Leopards poached and in illegal trade in the decade of 2001-2010 is 2294.54 ± 403.34 standard deviation (95% confidence interval, 1565.86 - 3139.00). This gives an estimate of at least four Leopards poached and in illegal trade, every week for the past 10 years.

To read more on the report click the link  WWF-India’s Mission

Another recent threat that can be seen on the horizon is commercializing of this area by businessmen setting up safari-style lodgings. After Kunoo set up his resort many followed in his footstep. Land that had abs no value today has fetched massive amounts because of the leopards living in these areas. The Wild West terrain that harbours the free Leopard does not come under the purview of any national park, protected area or wildlife sanctuary hence it’s a free for all for enterprising future prospectors or rich businessmen to earn a fast buck from tourism at the cost of the future of these animals. Gosh, enough of my ranting it's time I posted some photographs of this remote village.
RIGHT-CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPH TO SEE A LARGER INDIVIDUAL ONE. 

bee hive

The Yacht that Mt. Singh wants 

Patience is the name of the Game 

Zara  guarding her young   ones

Zara Kunoo's tame cat

One handsome bloke Zara's cub

watching the world go by

Minivat 

On the move 

Striated Babbler 

Peahen atop a    tamarind tr

Relaxing after a good meal 

Charger from Zara's second litter.