Detailed Description

About the Activity

Imagine vivid colors and rich foliage.Infuse the magic of chirping and chattering birds ,which would definitely lift your spirits.Welcome to Birds and Turtles conservation at Velas , Vengurla. It is  located near Ratnagiri. Just surrender to the perfect mélange  . Encompass the breeze redolent with the charm of these flying friends.Come home to the aviary!

Two nesting colonies, one at Anjarla (170 48/ N 730 02/ E) and one at Murud (170 46/ N 730 04/ E ), Taluka Dapoli, District Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Both are coastal villages and seven km. From each other. Both nesting colonies are 0.25 km from sea and coconut groves. In the year 2003-2004 total 15 hatchlings were fledged from 15 nests out of a total 36 nests from both colonies. In the year 2004-05 total 38 nests were observed and 10 nests had hatchlings by mid April.

Vultures find it easy to build nests on coconut (Cocos nucifera) trees but the tree owners are not happy about this. Vulture activity on the tree causes loss of coconut crop. Even on the perching trees the leaves come off and branches start drooping. Then the bird droppings create problems for the tree as well as the garden around. Due to these reasons tree becomes unproductive and the owner has no alternative but to destroy the nest. At Anjarla one nest was lost in this manner.

From the comfort of your couch:

Help us compile the season's turtle data consisting of number of nests, egg, hatchlings, villages etc.
Let your creative side do the talking! Design posters that will spread awareness in villages across the Konkan. You can also contribute by conceptualizing and designing various reports and logos.

Help us make presentations on the following topics:

Importance of Marine Turtles, Vulture Conservation, and Biodiversity of Konkan/India. If you have new ideas, do contact us.

Software folks, you are welcome to help us in programming and development of websites.

Volunteer to translate our reports (Marathi-English).

Travel and Teach:

Conduct lectures, presentations and film shows in schools. (Preferably in Marathi)

Conduct workshops on eco-friendly concepts like recycling waste, making articles out of used coconut shells, making nest boxes etc.

Organize awareness campaigns in villages for our projects on Marine Turtle Conservation and Vulture Conservation. (Preferably in Marathi)

How to Get There

Mochemad, Tal. Vengula, dist. Sindhurdurga is off the state coastal highway 7 km from Vengurla.

From Mumbai by Mumbai-Goa Road 492kms to Vengurla

From Pune 396 kms to Vengurla

Applicable Seasons
March-May