Trek to Karnala Fort and Bird Sanctuary

The green thumb of Karnala, “Fort and Bird Sanctuary”

Four birds with one stone; “Bird Sanctuary, Trek, Fort and an adventure”. The place is a stone throw away from Panvel; provided you can throw the stone a clear distance of 13 kilometers.

Karnala Pinnacle is visible from long distances all around 360 degrees so it is obvious that one can do the same from the top. Maybe that’s the reason somebody thought in the first place to build a fort here.

As-soon-as you cross the small town of Panvel on Mumbai Pune Highway and turn right on Mumbai-Goa Highway you sees a thumb like projection; this Pinnacle is the green thumb of Karnala Bird Sanctuary. Karnala is located about 55 kilometers from Mumbai and 13 Kilometers from Panvel. This hill fort is often confused with the navel fort of Arnala near Virar.

The decision to declaration of Karnala under wild life sanctuary regulations has helped it grow into a refreshing green Oasis. The weather changes as-soon-as you reach Karnala; the ozone is clear and fresh; and the birds welcome you with their songs. Birds like Drongo, Crow Pheasant, koels, robins, Shashi Pheasants, robins, Scarlet Mine vets, White Back Vultures, The Great Indian Horned Owl, Grey horn bills are among few of the birds spotted here.

This small sanctuary is also home to monkeys, hares, foxes, mongoose; monitor lizards and rare boars have made their home here along with few other small animals. Trees as Neem, Karvanda, Jamoon, mango, fig and crocodile bark trees forms the bulk of various shades of green seen here.

Since the path to Karnala Fort goes through the bird sanctuary, you do not become aware of the height of the hill. The fort is nearly 1500 feet above mean sea level and takes about 60 minutes of brisk climb to reach the top unless you wish to do bird watching and take a casual 2 to 3 hour easy stroll upto the top (easier said than done).

You can see the entrance of Karnala Fort as-soon-as you reach a small plateau. To reach the top you cross a broken gate, a little last mile adventure and you reach the fort. Inside the fort there are few things to explore around the pinnacle few water tanks, granary and ruins of some buildings. The central peak (the pinnacle) is best left for trained climbers and in monsoon not recommended to climbers also. The pinnacle is more dangerous because it also has beehives on it; so kindly avoid smoking near the beehives or throw stone at it playing monkey.

From the top of Karnala, you can see a vast area below. To the northeast, you will find Haji Malang, and just below before that, Prabalgad and Matheran. To the east, in the distance, is a hazy view of Bhimashankar. To the south are Rajmachi and the Duke’s Nose, to the Southwest is the Mahal Mira hill range while to the west is the metropolis of Mumbai.

Near the foothills is another place worth visiting, Yusuf Meher Ali Centre a cottage industry started by freedom fighter by the same name. The centre has 8 to 9 types of cottage industry right from carpentry; pottery; wormy culture; soap industry; oil extraction; bakery; agriculture etc. The place has helped several people from nearby villages to get employment and self-reliance.

Programme Schedule:

Date: September 23, 2007.

06:00 hours – Pickup from Andheri (West) near Ahura Bakery. Ahura Bakery is just 100 meter from main entrance of Andheri Railway Station.
06:30 hours – Sion (Near Sion Lunch Home).
06:45 hours – Chembur (Opposite to Akbar Allis Departmental Stores)
07:00 hours – Vashi (Junction of Mumbai-Pune Highway and Station Road)
08:15 hours – Breakfast at Kamat Restaurant Located on Mumbai-Goa Highway just a kilometer before Karnala Bird Sanctuary.
09:00 hours Introduction session and start of the nature trek.

Nature Trail upto Karnala first Plateau; followed by Exploration of Karnala Fort

Lunch at fort

15:00 hours – Start hike back from Karnala Fort.

17:00 hours – Winding up session with cup of tea and biscuits.
18:30 hours – Start back for Mumbai.
20:30 hours – Back at Andheri

Contributions –Rs. 450 per head (Includes; Travel; Toll (Road and Forest Toll); Evening Tea and Biscuit

Total Capacity 22

For registration courier you cheque prepared in the name of “Nature Knights – ICICI Bank account number 041205000027” and drop the same in any ICICI Bank ATM Chq. Drop box or directly do a electronic transfer. SMS the details “Chq. No., amount, your name and event” to one of the mobile numbers given below or email it to – natureknights@yahoo.com

For details contact:

Asif – 9821081566
Nimesh – 9820169693
Dnyanesh - 9820834622

Know more about us at: www.natureknights.com

Check list for preparation.

Attire

Track Pants or loose comfortable trousers; Preference is for trousers whose material is light and can stretch. Avoid heavy jeans. Do not wear very bright coloured clothes.

Wear loose full sleeves shirt or t-shirt of material that can breath, but does not retain liquid. (Wearing thin hosiery material banyans or slips under your shirt / t-shirt is recommended).

Rainwear, Cap or hat

Shoes – trekking shoes or touch sports shoes. Avoid shoes with high heals.

Carry Spare floaters, slippers, or light canvas shoes.

Socks – carry one pairs of spare socks.
Personal medical Kit and Toiletries
1) Velbet Skin cream for ticks or insect bytes
2) Bettnovet – C “Anti Fungal Skin cream”
3) Bandages - Band aid, Crape Bandage, Gauze
4) Anti-septic cream – Soframycine and Burnol
5) Paracitimol – Crocin
6) Anti-Dyheration - Glucose D/C and Electrol
7) Anti Vomit / loose motions, Anti – Allergies (optional),
8) Mosquito / Insect repellent
9) Pain killers and / or any other personal medication recommended by your family doctor.
10) Detol soap
11) Small shampoo soap
12) Tiny pouch of coconut oil
13) Toothpaste, tooth brush and shaving kit
14) Comb
15) Small Hand mirror
16) Carry all Personal medical kit and personal toiletries in a separate pouch.
Your medical Kit should contain your blood group and emergency phone number.
Other essentials in your survival kit

1) 2 meter x 2 meter plastic sheet (will be available in any hardware store)
2) Hand Sanitizer
3) Torch
4) Pocket Knife
5) Towel (light)
6) Small Plate & a mug
7) Walking Cane (should be 65% to 70% of your height – strong and light)
8) 3 liters of water
9) Snacks for the route – Dry Fruits; Fruits; Salad Items; chocolates; biscuits etc.
10) Lunch and Breakfast – Options (Bread Indian or white; Vegetables home cooked or canned; Idlis; Boiled Eggs; Theplas; Chatni; Puran Polli; canned food etc).
11) Basic Magnetic compass
12) Carry a not pad and two ball pens for your diary writing.

Backpack or Rucksack
Carry all your belongings in a backpack or rucksack with light items at the bottom and heavy stuff loaded around your shoulders level. If you have, compression straps in your bag use them to compress your luggage to make it well balanced.
Goodies

You may also carry goodies like camera; small - binoculars, magnifying glasses and pocket field guide to make most of the trip.

Eco-Tourism Etiquettes to be followed in All Nature Knights Events.
Camps organized by “Nature Knights” are in the eco / culturally -sensitive area like Sanctuaries, Jungles, and places of Historical importance.
We strongly believe in traveling in small groups, leave only foot prints and take only memories.
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How to prepare your self for any treks?

Fitness – Most important.
1) Start walks 3 to 4 times per week; go for 45 minutes to 60 minutes brisk walk. If you can go for walks with your backpack or a smaller one nothing like it.

2) Do stretching exercise (stiff body can break down easily).

3) Built strength training (weights or GYM or at least do Surya Namaskar; Pushups; Squats and Stomach Crunches). 20 minutes 3 to 4 times per week is OK.

4) Eat good food (have 3 to 4 servings of vegetable or fruit salads per day).

5) Pranayam – Breathing exercise for developing stronger lungs.

If you have purchased a new shoe for trek, start wearing it at least 10 to 15 days in advance to get used to the new shoe.

Looking forward to meet you for another exciting Nature Trek and Fort Exploration Event.

End – Of - Document