Karnala Forest Trail (November 20, 2011)

On a fresh Sunday morning of 20^th November, 2011, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) organised an enjoyable trail through the moist deciduous base forest of Karnala. Meeting point was Dadar near chandu halwai at 6.30 a.m. and charges were Rs. 570 per person. We carried water and packed breakfast with us.

Karnala is about 10-12 km from Panvel. The Bird sanctuary is actually small and most people come here for a trek to Karnala Fort. Actual bird lovers are very few at the sanctuary. We saw some people with binoculars waiting to get a glimse of the birds. The lovely morning walk in forest has its own flavour. 

We spotted birds like owl, egrets, herons etc. We also spotted monkeys, giant spiders, squirrels and so many beautiful butterflies. Among the caged one we saw white peacock, parrots, owl, rabbits and other colourful birds. November is the perfect time to see both resident and winter migrant birds.

We were amazed to see twisted trees and vines. We also took some good pictures of thumb shaped Karnala fort from base.

We returned back at home around 2.30 p.m.

 

Brief History of Karnala:

Its exact date of formation is not know but likely it predates 1400 CE as under the Devagiri Yadavs(1248–1318) and under the Tughlaq rulers (1318–1347), Shivaji conquered it from the Portuguese in 1670 by building breastworks as he advanced. After his death in 1680 it was taken over by Aurangzeb After this the Mughals occupied it for some time after which it in 1740 with the rise of the Peshwas of Pune it went to them. It remained under the command of killedar (garrison commander) Anantrao until a colonel Prother won the fort and established the rule of the British East India Company there in 1818.