2006-07-16T22:46:00.000+05:30

Phansad WLS, in Raigad district is about 152 kms from Mumbai via Panvel, Pen and Alibaug. The sanctuary is spread across an area of 52 sqkm. The Murud-Roha road passes through the sanctuary.

The sanctuary has a wide varietyof flora and fauna. Leopard is the major carnivore. The other animals include Heyena, Jungle cat, Palm civet, Sambhar, Barking deer, Bonnet Macaque, Wild boar and malabar giant squirrel. There aer 148 types of birds (including the interesting Pied hornbill, Three toed Kingfisher, Malkoha, Pitta), 90 species of butterflies (including Common Map, Black Prince, Nawab, Blue Mormon) and a number of poisonous and non poisonous snakes. About 710 species of plants have been identified here.

The entire forests and sanctuary were earlier private hunting block of the erstwhile Siddhi Nawab of the Janjira state. The Nawab constructed roads, water bodies, and evacuated several villages from the sanctuary.

There are 4 major nature trails (approx 12km each) in the sanctuar, passing through various habitats, providing an opportunity to experience the wild life

2006-07-16T08:49:00.000+05:30

Snakes caught from the nearby Roha town are released to this sanctuary very often. Seen here is a cobra (one among the five) which was brought to the sanctuary by two experts at the same time as we reached Phansad
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Dnyanesh feels a non-poisnous snake in his hand
The snake posing for photographers

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Pre lunch trail

Supegaon village, just outside the sanctuary gate

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Post lunch trail. Starts after a short nap
We take a break after 3 or 4 kms. One group decides to return to the base

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While we decide to explore and continue the trail, with an understanding that we will turn back either if we reach the end of the trail or if the clock strikes seven pm. We decide to return at 7.05, after getting lost in some winding and endless trail.

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Morning break

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The 12 km Chikalgan trail begins after breakfast

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An open area. Waterbodies for drinking water for the animals

a second open space

At Chikalgan

Concrete in the middle of the forest. This cabin is used by wild life officers and also by volounteers involved in wild life census.

Phansad Wild Life Sanctuary