Amboli : Whistling Woods

As a kid Amboli was a frequently visited place , it was the hill stations closest to my home about 4 hrs drive , its gigantic waterfalls , dark forests and misty surroundings always left us spellbound. Amboli gave us an opportunity to drench in waterfalls which were rare for someone from plains, back then i wasn't much introduced to the world or trekking , himalayas and the mighty sahyadris. In those days Amboli was just like any other hill station in India where people come for party , enjoy drinks loud music and leave behind loads of plastic and garbage.

Amboli is a changed place now , and has changed for good , thanks to the grueling efforts of nature lovers like Hemant Ogle , conservationists like Saili Palande - Datar and clubs like Malbar Conservation Club ,Amboli now is buzzing hub of nature conservation and a place frequented by all the nature lovers , herpetologists and jungle lovers. Many endemic species of frogs , snakes and butterflies have been identified. Amboli probably is the last of regions on the north Malbar region , animals have found their way from rich jungles of Kerala , Tamilnadu and Karnataka to amboli and made it a home.

Amboli is now one of those rare places in India where locals care deeply about well being of its jungles , someone like Shubham , at just 22  is already a nature expert at Whistling woods and has great knowledge of butterflies and birds alike , we had the privilege of his company for two days.Amboli now allows many like shubham to earn their living , right in their native places and stay away from rat races of the cities.

Amboli has always been blessed , hill station in konkan is the fourth rainiest place in India , average rainfall for the month of July is more than than in cherapunjee. Lush green forests are obvious gift from such heavy rains. Hidden among this natural treasure is Hemant Ogle's Whistling Woods resort , tucked away from the main street whistling woods guarantees that you will always wake up to the sound of jungle and birds every morning. You can click photographs of birds right from your beds as birds like Paradise flycatchers , orange headed thrush , jungle babbler and frequent visitors.

Moreover you have company of someone like hemant , who is an amazing photographer and butterfly researcher , his book on butterflies of western ghat is in making and all his hard work of 8-9 years would be a visual treat for all nature lovers.

Even though Amboli is pretty throughout the year , its true beauty shines in monsoons when frogs start to breed , we plan to visit amboli in all the seasons.

Parpoli 

Small typical konkani village about 30kms from Amboli is the place where all butterfly lovers find solace in , we started early from amboli  , plan was to reach the water stream before hot coastal sun starts burning.

It was misty when we arrived the village , two giant hornbills welcomed us , not the right weather for butterflies though , lets pray for some sun Shubham exclaimed. The mist however gave us great opportunity to capture dew drops in the nearby farms. 30 mins walk brought is near a water stream and few ponds . Sun was shining as well and shubham got to work , he started sprinkling water all over the place trying to create some mud. Smell of the sand attracts them Shubham explained the rationale behind this he then went to search something and returned in a while with something in his hand "This is a otter shit" he explained , he put it on a rock and sprinkled some water on it "Now let the smell spread and wait for butterflies".

We waited for a while and then they started appearing one by one , few common ones to start with and then few not so common ones like swordtails , branded owlets.

We spent new few hours photographing them from close quarters and ended the day with dip in the nearby ponds.

Amboli has set an example , I wish the entire country looks up to it and follow , we dont need to create new cities if we can find means of living in our villages.

We need our villages , jungles and natural resources as much as we need our cities , jungles are the place we all have came from and its the place where we will find some peace in.