Location:
Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve, Nainital District, Uttarakhand
Distances:
Pawalgarh is 20 km from Ramnagar, 45 km from Haldwani. Pawalgarh is 256 km
from Delhi and 258 km from Dehradun.
Dates:
24th Oct (Thursday) to 27th Oct 2019 (Sunday)
Timings:
Start: First trail will begin at 0800 hrs on 24th Oct 2019
End: Last trail will end at 530 pm on 27th Oct 2019
Background:
Uttarakhand with 65% forest area is home to some terrific biodiversity. With more
than 500 species of butterflies, and innumerable moth species, it is a haven for
butterfly and moth watchers. Titli Trust, with support from local communities and the
Uttarakhand Forest Department, plans to hold annual butterfly and moth festivals in
the state. It is intended to have two “Titli Utsavs” every year at different locations,
pre- and post-monsoon, based on suitability of the location. The first of these festivals
was held at Devalsari from 31st May to 3rd June 2018; the second of these festivals
was held at Devalsari from 9th to 12th May 2019 and this, the third in the series is
being held between 24th and 27th Oct 2019 at Pawalgarh.
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the Titli Utsavs is to promote lesser-known destinations in
Uttarakhand, ensure benefits to local communities through community ecotourism
and to support the conservation of butterflies and moth through citizen science.
About Pawalgarh Prakrati Prahari:
Pawalgarh Prakrati Prahari (PPP) is a registered non-profit society established at
Ramnagar in 2016 that works on uniting communities, livelihoods and conservation.
It runs conservation and livelihood programs in the Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve
landscape. Its livelihood programs include trained nature guides, community and
individual homestays in villages in the landscape. More about Pawalgarh Prakrati
Prahari at www.pawalgarh.org.
About Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve:
The home of the Bachelor of Pawalgarh
The “Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve” (PCR), located in the hill state of
Uttarakhand, derives its name from the village Pawalgarh, situated in the foothills of
Nainital District. Pawalgarh, home to some marvelous forests, became famous after
the publication of the story “Bachelor of Powalgarh” in the book “Maneaters of
Kumaon” published by the legendary hunter-turned-conservationist, Jim Corbett, in
1944. Nicknamed the “Bachelor of Powalgarh” the tiger was the largest ever hunted
by Jim Corbett, and took over a decade to hunt. It was finally shot in 1930.
Lush green forests of the Himalayan foothills adorn Pawalgarh with the River Kosi to
the west and River Dabka in the eastern part of the Reserve. The Khichdi River
bisects the Reserve from north to south, and flows into the Dabka River. The Siwalik
ranges bound the northern side and the southern area is bounded by the villages of
Pawalgarh, Mankanthpur, Kyari, Bailparao, Gaibua & Chhoi lying on Ramnagar-Haldwani highway. These have agrarian populations, which are more or less heavily
dependent upon the forest resources leading to the degradation of forest habitat. If
properly managed, the Reserve can fulfill the forest-based needs of the local people as
well as providing alternative livelihood opportunities. PCR is a very strategic part of
the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) and Siwalik Elephant Corridor flanked by Corbett
National Park on the west and Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary on the east.
Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve: Facts and Figures
Area: 58.25 sq. km.
Altitude: 300 to 700 msl Average annual rainfall: 1,500 mm
Min-Max Temperature: 2° C to 43° C
Habitat: Lying mostly in the Bhabhar belt, Pawalgarh has primary and
secondary growth of tropical forest in riverine and low altitude montane terrain.
Best time to visit for birds: October to March
Best time to visit for butterflies: April to June, September to November
What is special in Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve?
137 species of trees, 58 species of shrubs and 27 species of climbers, 52 species of
herbs and 71 species of grasses & bamboos.
32 species of mammals - tiger, elephant, leopard, leopard cat, serow and ghoral are
just some of the mammals seen here.
365 species of birds - Ibisbill, Great Slaty Woodpecker (and 15 other species of
woodpeckers), Red-breasted Parakeet, Green-billed Malkoha, Common Green
Magpie, Long-tailed Broadbill, White-bellied Erpornis and White-rumped Needletail
are just some of the special birds seen here. A hard copy of the checklist of birds of
Pawalgarh is available in every homestay. The checklist of birds of Pawalgarh
Conservation Reserve can be downloaded from
here 120 species of butterflies have been recorded from Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve,
with the expected checklist possibly exceeding 175 species. The Redspot, Common
Ciliate Blue, Apefly and Giant Redeye, are species that were recorded for the first
time in Kumaon/Uttarakhand from Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve. A hard copy of
the checklist of butterflies of Pawalgarh is available in every homestay. The checklist
of butterflies of Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve can be downloaded from
here
More than 100 species of moths have been recorded from Pawalgarh Conservation
Reserve. A hard copy of the checklist of moths of Pawalgarh is available in every
homestay. The checklist of moths of Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve can be
downloaded from
hereSeparate brochures for birds, butterflies and moths of Pawalgarh are available for sale
for visitors @ Rs 100/brochure. Pawalgarh Prakrati Prahari will use proceeds from
these brochures for conservation action.
For more information
Sanjay Sondhi,
sanjay.sondhi1@gmail.com,
Titli Trust, Dehradun,
+91 9412052189
