Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2019/04/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Before I went to Ranthambhore last month, I visited the Chambal River area for the first time. Chambal, save for the last 30kms before it flows into the Yamuna (which carries enough pollution from Delhi and Agra to kill all humankind) is said to be the most pristine river system in India. This is the last redoubt of the fish eating crocodilian, the Gharial, for which the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary has been set up, on a stretch of river bordering three large states. Once common in the riverine systems of North India, it is now estimated that only 300-800 remain in the wild, thanks to the usual pollution, over fishing and entanglement in fishing nets. They are among the largest crocodilians, males have been known to reach 20 feet. On this stretch where both the Gharial and Mugger Crocodiles are found, the Gharials did look much more massive to my eyes: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3822.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3767.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3570.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3868.jpg.html The Chambal system is also known for its bird life - we saw 120 species on the river alone - I had an ace birder couple with me who were taking notes on the sightings! The main attraction is undoubtedly the Indian Skimmer: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3906.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3677.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4470.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4335.jpg.html Among the other birds we saw were the following: Lesser Whistling Duck - http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4276.jpg.html Great Thick-knee - http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4644.jpg.html And finally, the most surprising sighting, a good 10-15 minutes with the normally shy and reclusive Jungle Cat: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3356.jpg.html The other area which is of interest around this area is a village called Saifai, smack bang in the middle of the constituency of a major political strongman, Mulayam Singh Yadav. Because of the political patronage, it is a very prosperous area, with 4 lane highways connecting villages, and ample water from two major rivers, the Yamuna and the Chambal, ensures very fertile land. The fertility of the land attracts birds: Black-necked Stork: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4141.jpg.html Saras Crane Take Off: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4070.jpg.html Saras Crane Dance: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4188.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4203.jpg.html Finally a pair of River Lapwings in their noisy, careering flight: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4092.jpg.html Please see LARGE Comments and criticism, as ever, welcome Cheers Jayanand