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| Grasslands atop Agumbe |
Nestled deep inside the Western ghats, in the Shimoga district of Karnataka's Malnad region is the small village of Agumbe. Known as the Chirrapunji of the South for the rainfall it receives, it is also famous for its rain forests, conservation efforts around them and the Cobras. Thanks to Romulus Whitaker, the renowned herpetologist and the founder of the Madras Snake Park and Crocodile Bank, the conservation efforts probably the first in the world for King Cobras, has gained momentum in this region and is helping spread awareness on their significance to the ecosystem. He is also the founder of the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station. ARRS is just about 90 mins drive from Udupi, via the picturesque route through the ghats.
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| A view of an Arecanut plantation with the rain forest in the back ground |
On the day of our drive we started early from Udupi by around 6:30-7 am. Our objective was to reach ARRS by around 10 am with a brief stop for break fast on the way. The drive was pretty smooth, even most of the ghat bends fairly comfortable to negotiate for travelers familiar with driving in such terrains. It is advisable to finish breakfast in the plains before starting the climb. Though there are some options and many signboards of restaurants after the forest check post, they are few and far between. We were so lucky to spot few Lion tailed macaques right at the start of the ghat section but unfortunately we could not abruptly stop to click pictures as there were vehicles behind. But the sighting was enough to instantly get us excited and expectations only started sky rocketing! About 10 mins before reaching Agumbe is the sunset view point, giving a stunning view of the forests and on a clear evening one can capture the sunset on the Arabian Sea from this point.
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| The Canopy |
As we reached Agumbe, the mobile signals weakened and hence with a little help we located the left turn to the muddy road leading to ARRS. PS: A visit to ARRS requires prior permission request. Those interested could contact them at -
http://agumberainforest.org/arrs/pages/contact-us/
The station manager ARRS Mr. Ajay can be contacted at 9483166263 for prior information and any further details. The drive along the muddy road passes through scenic grasslands atop the hills. Absolute serenity with bird chirps and rustles of the wind. Just heavenly! We helped ourselves through the gate close to the Someshwar wildlife sanctuary and reached ARRS.
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| Green Bee Eater |
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| White-throated Kingfisher |
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| One of the gates of Someshwara wildlife Sanctuary adjacent to ARRS |
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| ARRS Gate |
Mr. Ajay was friendly and took us around the main wilderness around the station explaining whatever we saw, be it the huge Wood spider or the resident Malabar pit wiper or the amazing Draco lizard! Here again we were extremely lucky to see the Draco glide from one Arecanut tree to another. We were so awestruck and the glide was so swift, we could hardly capture it in our camera. Nevertheless, that moment and the act, is undoubtedly staying with us for times to come.
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| ARRS Main building |
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| Wood Spider |
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| Draco or Gliding Lizard |
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| Malabar Pit Wiper |
The visit also made us aware how deforestation, human encroachments and climate change are all affecting the reptiles equally as they impact other big fauna. We also understood how harmful it is for the Cobra to get relocated from its home territory to another, something that we humans do all the time. Spot a snake, either end its life or relocate it far away. Snakes, here Cobras, are territorial too and hence moving to a new territory is life threatening for the moved reptile as the incumbent would fiercely guard its territory and the newly moved would not have a clue about resources like food and water in the new region...Hmmm... is there one species that we humans have let live in peace....
After a while, we bid adieu to Mr. Ajay, making a voluntary donation to the station for the good work they do and the enriching session they offered for free, and returned back to the Agumbe bus stand. There are only very few hotels in proper Agumbe. There is the famous Doddamane but again a prior booking helps there. As lunch was over by the time we went, we had some quick eats at the small hotel at the bus stop and headed further towards our stay at the Belachikattae homestay. We stayed there for a night and the next morning started to Sakrebyle elephant camp, more about which in an upcoming blog.
PS: Belachikatte home stay is a wonderful place to stay if you are visiting Agumbe. A homely environment, great food, very friendly hosts and a scenic location around. More about this homestay at - https://www.belachikattehomestay.com/
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| Belachikatte Home Stay |
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One of the many scenic views
PC: Kalirajan Subramanian, Priya Rajan
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