CHAPTER I
PHYSICAL COWSIDERATIOW OF KARWALA
TOPOGRAPHY
Fort Kamala and 73®7M is situated on one of
the many western spurs of Western Ghats. As the crow flies
it is barely 20 km from Bombay and could be seen in clear
weather from Fort area of the Sassoon Dock, Bombay, Howsrer
by all weather Bombay-Goa road Kamala is dO km from Bombay.
The area under study includes about 20 sq«km of forest
and cultivated land of the hilly terrain. {Pl« No. 1)•
Village Shirdhon forms the southern boundary of Kamala
reserve forests while lowlylng hills of Ransal forms the
western limits* Towards eastp National^Laboratory Complex
(Rasayml), river Patalganga and the village Apts are situat<
Kharpada and the tall end of the Dharamtar ereek form tho
northern most boundary of the area. Actually the area aroun
the fort Karnala is formed by an isolated hill range roughly
stretching north<-east to south-west. From village Shirdhon,
^ j the ground rises Initially very gradually u{jto Bhise Khlnd
and after the counter of 150 m the rise Is very steep» Fort
Kamala la at an altitude of 475 n above mean sea level*
Adjoining hill stretching towards the north-east is a narrow
plateau of about 1 km in length. PLATE I
|-
•x.v
. .4 since Kumala fort premises 1b an Isolated hill
radial drainage la preralent.
The stream originating above the eastern or south
eastern escarpsiant of the Kamala area runs mainly toifiards
south-east to Join the river Patalganga which later on
forms a Taat mud flat In the coastal region to meet Dharamtar
creek*
The Kamala hill has upper and lower fort. In the
centre of upper fort there Is the Funnel rock« (Pl» No* 2]
The height of this Inaccessible basalt pillar varies from
30.5 to 45*7 metres.
% The scrap that forms the outer fort Is created by a
masonry wall with a gate In the north-wsst comer. Throug this 9 a path leads across the plateau of the lower fort tc the scrap that forms the Inner or upper fort which under
scrap Is reinforced by strong masonry wall. Two gateways,
one at the foot and the other at the top of the flight of
rock cut steps, leads to a double gateway with a chamber i
between• •
There are some ruined buildings between these gates
and the Funnel Rock. At the base of this *Funnel* there i
a series of excsTations - some were store-houses and the
others for storing water. The 'Funnel* is locally known i
I T^wer*! hcrs is nothing in excavation that PLATE 2 d
suggests 8 religious origin. The 'Fxmnel* is full of wild bee colonies.
QKOLOQY
The geologicsl structure of the Kamala hill exhibits the rugged terrain of the Deccan trappean hills. About a dosen flows of trap can be observed here separated by thin bands of red bole and green earth. The two top-most flows are very hard and compact and form a lofty cliff of about
50 ffl in height and which could be ascended only with the help of a movmtaineering kit*
The basalts are composed of abundmt plagiodase feld* spar, pyroxene, augite and interstitial glass. Magnetite is the most common accessory mineral though, at times, a fair amount of olivine is also present*
Next to this common variety of trap is found the comparatively softer, amygdular and scoriaeeous traps, purple to greenish in colour, usually showing a rounded and elongated or tubular cavities and geodes with infillings of secondary minerals like calcite, seolite and a variety of quarts like agate, jasper, chalcedony, etc* These genera! occupy the lower portion of the ridges and their slopes, valleya and plains.
The only notable economic mineral that could be exploite profitably is 6a\ixite,* so far. Also, the traps are considered as one of the best material for use of building stoneroad ffletaX and ballast, and there is no dearth of the seme in the district.
CLIMATE
Tbs climate of Kamala is similar to t ^ t p f localities
situated near the coastal area in Western India.
RAIWFALL
Detailed information regarding rainfall is not available from the forest area of Kamala. Shirdhon situated near the base of the fort receives about 250 cm of rainfall per year, ninety per cent of which is precipitated during the four monthsy June to September and only 30 per c«it In October.
Following table gives average rainfall data of three locali ties which are topographically not far away from Kamala forests. t
Table 1 : Average annual rainfall in Kolaba District. (50 years of data) (12 km east of (9 km west of west of Kar- Kamala) Kamala) nala) Alibag Panvel Pen
(a) (b) (a) (b) (a) (b)
January 2.5 0.3 1.3 0 .2 1.5 0.2
February O.d 0.1 1.3 0 .1 1.0 0.1
contd 10
Table 1 j (contd.)
(About 25 km west (12 km east of (9 km west of Kftmala) Karnaln) of Karnala) --wAlikeg PanTel Pen
(a) (b) (a) (b) " ‘ ( b r
March 0.5 0.1 o.d 0.1 o.d 0.1
April l.d 0.2 i.d 0 .1 1.5 0.1
May i^.d 0.9 17.0 0.9 14*2 0.9
June 55S.5 15.9 4^4.6 15.7 567.7 16.5
July 699.5 24.0 1073.9 27.3 1052.d 27.d
August 394.7 21.2 676.1 25.4 703.6 25.2
September 312.2 14.5 369.6 16.0 39d.d 16.3
October 69.6 3 .2 93.7 4.4 101.9 4.7
Norember 20.1 0.9 Id.O 1.0 21.1 1.2
December i.d 0.3 3.1 0.2 1.5 0.2 Arerage annual rainfall (mm) 21^0,.B 2741.2 2^66.4
a) Normal rainfall in mm. b) Average number of rainy days (days with rain of 2*5 mm or more)•
TEMPERATURE
The dally and aeaaonal Tariationa in temperat\ire are not large. Hay ia the hotteat month. During December to
February the weather is cool. Maximum temperature in the da;
is highest ^jirthe month of October (3 4 « ^ ) while the minimum in month of January (14 . 3®c). f Table 2 i
Teaperatur* chart of Kamala
Maximum Nlnimun
January 32.1 U . 3 February 33.1 U . 9 March 34.7 17.9
April 34.5 21.4
May 33.7 V 23.9 June 33.1 22.a July 30.7 23.2 Auguat 30.3 23.3 September 31.0 22. d
October 34. d 20.7 ,
November 34.6 1 7 .S December 33.3 15 .«
Not* I (1) The temperature ia denoted in the centrigrade 8oale« (2 ) The data is eonplled froa the ^'National Parka and Wild Life Sanetuariea in Maharaahtra State”*
HUMIDITY
The air ia humid throughout the year* Relatire humid ia on an average over dO per cent during the aouth-weat
Boneoon aeaaon. In the re at of the year the relative
humidity ia between 65 P^z* cent and 75 P^r e ^ t . 12 CLOUDINESS
During the monsoon the sky is hearlly clouded. In
May and October the clouding is moderate. A clear sky or <57V€. very lightly clouded^are common in the rest of the year.
WINDS
Typical coastal sultry weather is experienced at the base of the Fort» while on the top» one feels fresh by the oceanic cool breezes. ^Cyclonic storms in the Arabian sea in the post*monsoon months and In May, there are very strong winds. Thunder-storms occur in April and May and just befor« the onset of the monsoon and in the late September to the middle of IfoTember.
BIOLOGICAL COWSIDERATIOW OF KARWALA
IWSECT LIFE
Insect life is abundant and seen very active in the forest of Kam als. There are about a dozen species of ants ranging from the smallest species of 2 mm of length to a large sised species of 15 Bun length. Nest building ants of these area are also very peculiar. Some get^ burried undez soil surface and construct nud-fortifieation with intricat« passages. In top view it looks like Cata comb (P I. No. 3i
F ig .l ). Just before the onset of the monsoon heaps of aeec kernels of grasses could be seen out of the colony. There g PLATE 3
^ 1 * ■ ■ j s m L 13
are yarletiea of grasa graina atored in the underground warehouae of the ant Kingdom. From the aize and ahape of the grain these appear to hareyt^collected from Panicum ap*i
PawpaH^ri^um ap«, and Echinochloa ap* of the graaaea* It iB aald that during famine period, aborigine tribea dig these underground neats and procure aeeds for preparing fo<
White ants build huge conical ant hilla (P I, N©. 3, Fig. 2} and cause a lot of damage to the age-^ld trees and fallen timber. Ante building leafy neata (PI* No, 3» Fig. 3) are always dangerous to paasers by as occasionally from hanging tree branches these ferocious insects shower water like dropa and their bite causes severe Irritation to the akin* AntS| building mud neats are the largest in size.
It is said that their bites are more severe than viy other ant^ of this area.
There are numerous butterflies seen fluttering in the moist forests of Kamala. It ia a matter of excitement to witness a great exodus of butterflies during their mating * peiriod. In hot summer it is a common aight to obaerve numerous species of butterflies gathered on wet spots In the stream beds for licking moisture. Among conspicuous beautiful specie a of butterflies following are worth mentioning.
(l) Common mormon (2) Common roae (3 ) The great eggfly (4) Common Indian crow (5) Blue glaaay liger (6) Olaaay liger 14
(7) Dark blue liger (d) Common wanderer
(9) The aottled emigrant (10) The spotlesa grasa yellow
(11) Painted lady (12) Common tiger (13) Common grass yellow (I4 ) Common evening brown.
Mud wasps and ferocious paper wasps are seen fairly common in Kamala Jungle. Along the fort paths and in much eroded areas on the top of the fort there are numerous obeonical holes of soft sands. These sre the miniature dens of Mt-lions.
Rock bees are also seen fairly common in Kamals Jun gle. Huge bee colonies could be seen along the scarp of the funnel hill and on the huge horizontal branches of the tall trees. It is really a fascinating site to observe how darin,
Thakars capture honey from the inaccessable places*
Mosquitoes are Tery common in water-logged areas and on moist leaf litter. Sometimes it becomes very difficult t< tre^k through the Jungles infested with mosquitoes. Visitor are adTised to wear long-sleeved shirts and sleep under mos quitoes nets. OdomaSi a mosquito repellant ointment proved to be very useful against biting insects. Local people howeveri use oil of Karanja (Derria indica (Lam.) Benn. and crushed leaves of Phangala (Pogostemon sp.) as an insect repellant.
Among the other Arthropods a monstrous species of 15
spider (a giant wood spider) has been located. The diameter
of the spider web is more than 2 metres across*
Black scorpion locally known as Ingalli could be
occasionally seen in moist places among huge boulders.
The piosonous sting of Ingalli, is reported to be sometimes fetal to the unwary person.
AMPHIBIAWS
Frogs and toads with varigated colours are common
during the monsoon. These animals control insect population to some extent.
REPTILES
Among the lizards of Kamala, Chaoieleon could be
recognised easily due to its habit of changing colour.
Varanus is also seen in rock crerices and small fissures in
the boulders.
Orer seventy per cent of the snakes are nonpoisonous
in the area under consideration. Dhaman is the largest
species of nonpoisonous snakes which sometimes exceed 2«$ meters In length. It is a ferocious snake often mistaken
for the female of the cobra. Python is also occasionally
met with in the dense forest of Kam ala. During one of our
rock climbing tre^k to the extreme north of the parapet
walls of the fort of Kamala we noticed a huge python lying
dead near a stone wall (PI. No. 3» 4) • 16
Among the poisonous snakes the common Cobra Is
characterised by Its expanded hood. The Cobra Is often found along the bunds of the paddy fields and soffletlmes
In dwelling premises. The poison of the cobra Is neurotoxlc li'Ke Other plosonous species Phoorsa vhlch Is well caaouflaged
In the leaf U t t e r , often strikes without proTocatlon. The
amount of poison given by this snake Is small. The wound
Is painful and the patient suffers terribly by its after effects. Every precaution should be taken against the snake
bite. Bveryone should know how to use the antisnake bite kit and how to treat the patient If emergency arose. It is
always beneficial to strike a walking stick against the ground while marching on the forest floor full of leaf lltte:
WILD MAMMAI£
In old forest records a mention has been made about the wanderings of tigers (Vagh) in the vicinity of Kamalai a few were also shot by the visiting hunters. Now these animals are extreisely rare due to the indiscriminate cutting of the vegetation. The Panther variety (Blblya Vagh) is
seen occasionally even to-day. In dense vegetation on
account of the large amount of cover the animal is seldom
spotted, Oftefe the Panther makes its appearance on the
outskirts of a village at odd hours of the night and lifts
small cattle or domestic fowls.
The Striped Hym^^a (Taras), Mungoose, Jackals (Kolha), 17
Indian Fox (Khokad) and common Jungla c»t (Oud-Manjar)
are sooe of the wild camiTorous Bammals recorded in this
area.
Among the herbivorous mammalsi Wild Boer (Ran Dookar),
Deer (Sambar), Spotted Deer (Chlttel)i Canine Deer (Bhakar),
Mouae Deer and Hare (Sasa) are inhabitants of Kamala forest
These animals are now on the verge of extinction due to total dlntructlon of the surrounding forests*
WILD BIRDS
Kamala is the first sanctuary exclusively for the forest birds in Maharashtra. (PI. No. 4.)
The forest area abounds in bird life and during the
■igrating season from October to April, about 200 species of birds have been recorded from here. A years ago a new bird for the Indian sub-continent Ashy Minivet which is really a native of south-east Asia was observed here.
Kamala has two distinct seasons from the point of view of birdwatching. At the beginning of the monsoon, one can see Paradise Flycatchers with their fairy-like white
streamers, Shama and Malabar Whistling Thrugh. one of the
BK>8t beautiful singers among avlans, and a variety of other
species nesting in the forest. The racket-t_a_Hed Drongo
(PI. Wo. 5, Fig. 3) and Baya (PI. No. 5, Fig. 4) »re also
nestif here. Drongo*s aerial expertise and capacity to PLATE 4
KARNALA BIRD SANCTUARY i/ W i f,C9/4CfUS f'4 5Q ^
*!
m b^vnufTf 6f luinuu sac. u ^ c r u m
• KONKAH • O lH BOAD
UMl
-. ULEH«Ollt L'NL
» HEVY HOUSE
^ |K7tlH4L fttiV 4
TR M .V
^ W IU ^ *UH»>MOUV(
C3 b U « -OVT 1* spotted ovl«t
2* R«d wlttlad Lapuring
3* Kathit tall»d Drtm^ _ . . 4« MMT«r Bird and fi«st ^
5 . B«m owl
6 . Whit« br«Mt«di King flabar PLATE 5
V Id
initate to perfection the calls of other birda makes it a great faToxirite with bird watchers. The rather rare
Heartspotted Woodpecker^white breasted Kingfisher (Pl% Wo.
5# Fig» 6) «id also the Golden back Woodpecker hare been seen In this forest. Spotted owlet (PI. No* 5»FiS« 1)| Bam owl (?1. No. 5|Flg. 9) and Red wittled Lapurlng (PI. no.5«
Fig. 2) are occasionally seen during erenlng or night time.
In the cold' weather thejinlgrants take over «id the pattern of bird life changes. Six varieties of Flycatchers I have been seen here during e morning walk. The migrants include the Wheather. Bluethroat. Blackbird Turdus merula,
Bluehesded Rock Thrush. Blue Rock Thrush. Red-breasted
Flycatcher. Ashy Minlvet, Blackheaded Cuckoo Shrike. Large
Cuckoo Shrike, Qrey Drongo. Rosy Pastor. Greyheaded Myna h2£e Fiach. A bite faaxtail. Grer Waigtail. Tree PiP-it. Indian Piplt. i*/hlte-eye. Indian Pitta, Wrynack Cuckoo^ Common Hawk
Cuckoo. Pied crested Cuckoo. Indian Roller. Common Indian
Njght.lar. Shahin Falcon. Kestrel. Short-toed-Ksgle, White- eyed Buggard. Marsh Harrier. Indian Shikra,
It is reported that about 60 per cent of the birds from Kamala are partly fruglferus and about 20 per cent are strictly fructiferous species. Following are the common wild edible fruit yielding plants from the forests of Kamala.
1. Brldelia retusa Spreng. 2. Zlziphua mauritiana Lamk. 3* ferythrina Indiea Lamk. 4. Trema orientalls (Linn.) Blume 19
5. Madhuca l y if o l ia 6* Zlzephua oenoplla Mill (Koen ing) wacbrtde
7« Bride11a hamlltonlana d. Morus alba ^Irm* Wall.
9. Woodfordia florlbunda 10, Hellcterls laora Linn.
11. Fteufi benghalensia Linn. 12. Flcua rallglosa I^lnn.
13* Termlnalla chebula Retz. 14* a ballorlca Gaarto*} Roxb*
15* Embllca officinalis Qaartn.
Bealdec these we have recorded soma more species of plants haring edible fruits consumed by the birds. These are as follows :
1. Carlssa consesta Wloht 2. Dlllenia Dentaevna Roxb.
3. Cordia dichotoma Forst. 4. DlosDvros melanoxvlon Roxb
5. Ficus racemosa Linn. 6. Flacourtia seDlaria Roxb.
7. Garusa cinnata Roxb. ft. Gmellna arborea Roxb.
9. Grewla microcos Linn. 10. Grewla tlliiofolia Vahl.
11. Jasminum malabarlcum 12, Maneifera Indlca Linn. Wight
13. Mevna laxiflora Robvn. 14. Olea dlolca Roxb. 15. Zlslchus Lamk.
It Is felt that fflore critical field observations and laboratory testing of the bird dz*opplngs or actual viscera of the killed birds will reveal the Identity of many more plant species.
Regular plantation of edible fruit-yielding wild 20
8peel«8 of plants will definitely enrich the bird population of this ares.
A chart thowlng th» b»it tlaw to o b a T W wild life in Sanctuary
Months Game TisibilltY Index
Jm uarj
February
March
April
May
June
July
Ausust
Septeaber
October
Noyember
Deoenber
Oame Tl»lbllltY Ind>x 9 * The best tlBs; 4. . Good 3 - Fair 2 - Poor 1 - Very poor.