On the occasion of International Day of Forests, Jungle Belles in association with Canon India organized a special talk, where renowned wildlife photographer Vinod Bartakke, shared his experience on the Snow Leopard Expedition to Spiti. The program took place at the Training Center Hall, Seva Bhavan, Erandwane, Pune on Friday, March 21st. Through his presentation, he shared images of some of the rarest birds and mammals found exclusively in Spiti. He also showcased a film capturing these mammals in their natural habitat—hunting, playing, and moving in groups. The footage revealed their awareness of the foreign device filming them, adding a fascinating perspective to their intelligence. He concluded with stunning images that highlighted Spiti’s beauty, emphasizing that no matter the challenges of traveling there, the experience is truly worth it. Special gear, including trousers and snowshoes capable of withstanding -20°C temperatures, is essential for the harsh terrain, he mentioned further.

He educated the audience that from December to March, the snow leopard season attracts wildlife enthusiasts, with the best chances of sightings between February 15th and March 15th. During this period, leopards descend while following their prey, increasing visibility. The presence of snow Leopard is benefitting the local economy. Guide trackers and porters play a significant role in supporting eco-tourism as their contribution helps reduce human-wildlife conflict.

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PUNE: A new enclosure for birds will come up at Pune Forest Division’s Wildlife Transit Treatment Centre on NDA Road. City-based couple Sruthi and Sarvesh Javdekar have extended financial help of Rs.50 Lakhs for setting up this enclosure and handed over the cheque to RESQ Charitable Trust which looks after the management of this center. This was informed by Mahadev Mohite, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Territorial), Pune Division.

Neha Panchamiya, Founder and President of the RESQ Charitable Trust said, “In the year 2024 we provided aid to over 7,500 animals, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Out of this, over 4,400 were birds. Considering the rapid-paced urbanization and extreme climate events, more wounded birds are likely to come for treatment and this new enclosure will increase the capacity of the wildlife transit treatment center to house more birds under rehabilitation at a time.”

“The enclosure will house over 32 units and will have the capacity to accommodate about 150-200 birds, depending on the species. The current capacity of the center is to accommodate 100 birds at a time. So,  after the completion of this new enclosure the center will be able to accommodate 300 plus birds for treatment, which will be a big help”, Panchamiya added.

Sarvesh Javdekar said that according to the recent reports, about 60% of the birds species found in India are on the decline. Birds are of paramount importance in maintaining the ecological balance. Thus, we decided to extend financial support to this new enclosure for birds which will come up at Pune Forest Division’s Wildlife Transit Treatment Centre on NDA Road, Bavdhan.

The enclosure will have 2 avian nurseries along with multiple flight testing areas which are essential to conduct mobility tests prior to release back into their natural habitat. The work of this new enclosure for the birds shall be completed in the next 6-8 months, Javdekar informed. Sarvesh Javdekar is into construction business and his wife Sruthi is an architect.

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INDIA: Singapore has always held a special spot in the hearts of Indian travelers, renowned for its family-friendly charm and a wealth of unforgettable experiences. In the wake of the pandemic, the island city has continued to evolve, offering travel enthusiasts a revitalized selection of extraordinary moments that are uniquely ‘Made In Singapore’.

As summer vacations begin, families are eager to make lasting memories through travel. In response, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has partnered with Singapore Airlines Group, Sentosa Development Corporation, and Mandai Wildlife Group to introduce the ‘Family Playdates. Made In Singapore’ campaign. This initiative offers special deals to encourage families to rediscover the magic of Singapore this summer.

As a part of this campaign, Mandai Wildlife Group is providing 50% off on single-park Child admission to their four major wildlife parks located at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, a destination home to Bird Paradise, Night Safari, River Wonders, and Singapore Zoo. Families can embark on a boundless adventure at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. They can get transported to the colorful world of Bird Paradise, one of Asia’s largest bird parks, home to 3500 birds from 400 species. They can explore the eight large walk-through aviaries that reflect different habitats around the world or observe the fascinating behaviors of penguins on land and underwater at Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove. Visitors can head over to Singapore Zoo for up-close encounters with charismatic animals like the white rhinoceros and giraffes through feeding sessions or experience the mysterious world of nocturnal animals at Night Safari – the world’s first night zoo.  Besides these, they can embark on a tranquil exploration of River Wonders and discover the captivating world of iconic river giants and freshwater ecosystems.

At Sentosa, Indian tourists can explore Sensoryscape, a 30,000-square-meter oasis that blends nature, design, and technology for an immersive, multi-sensorial journey, inspiring guests to let their senses wander. Home to an array of sensory gardens, Sensoryscape is a 350-meter verdant connector that connects Resorts World Sentosa in the north to the golden beaches in the south and combines nature, architecture, and technology to awaken all six senses, including the sense of imagination. Families can also enjoy Sentosa’s other attractions like Universal Studios Singapore, HyperDrive, Trickeye Museum, Madame Tussauds Singapore, and Skyline Luge, or have a relaxing day at the various beach clubs located at Siloso, Tanjong, or Palawan. Additionally, travelers can enjoy the convenience of two complimentary island entries with the Fun Discovery Pass or Food Discovery Pass by scanning the QR code at Sentosa Express or Sentosa Gateway, providing hassle-free access at up to 80 attractions.

Additionally, as a part of this campaign, Singapore Airlines will be offering up to 25% off on normal fares in Economy, Premium Economy and Business class bookings to Singapore from Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Mumbai. For children under 12, there is a further 25% off on the discounted fares in Economy and Premium Economy bookings. One can avail of these offers till 5th June 2024 for travel between May and October 2024.

Scoot has also been running offers till the 15^th of May 2024 for travel between May and November 2024 on one-way flights to Singapore from Amritsar, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Tiruchirappalli, and Visakhapatnam.

Markus Tan, Regional Director, India, Middle East, South Asia and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board, said, “As we launch our latest summer promotion campaign in India, we are excited to invite families to experience the magic of Singapore through our ‘Family Playdates. Made In Singapore initiative. With tailored offers and a diverse array of attractions, we aim to create unforgettable moments for families seeking to make the most of their summer vacations. Singapore is a vibrant and reimagined destination, and we look forward to warmly welcoming Indian families to explore and enjoy all that our city has to offer.”

Chew Tiong Heng Divisional Director, Business and Experience Development, Sentosa Development Corporation said, “We extend a warm invitation to families from India to experience the magic of the newly launched Sensoryscape in the heart of Sentosa. Awaken your senses at this immersive experience that brings together nature, architecture, and technology. Enjoy a world of adventures with Sentosa’s Fun Discovery Pass, granting you access to 80 activities, F&B, and amazing experiences in Sentosa”.

Jean Choi, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Mandai Wildlife Group, said, “We recognize how precious family time is and we are excited to welcome multi-generational Indian families to come to create special memories at our wildlife parks with their loved ones. We are happy to extend special discounts for Child admission tickets for Indian travelers to bring their little ones to come to explore, learn, and play while immersing in nature and wildlife at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve.”

One can check out these exciting offers by visiting this link –  https://linktr.ee/familyplaydatesmadeinsingapore

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MUMBAI: The Aurika, Mumbai Skycity, set the stage for a grand gala dinner hosted by Shri Sudhir Sachchidanand Mungantiwar, the esteemed Cabinet Minister for Forests, Cultural Affairs, and Fisheries in the Maharashtra Government. The event highlighted the Government’s “Save the Tiger” Campaign.

The Miss World team was enthralled by a mesmerizing performance of dancers, donning majestic tiger costumes. The captivating presentation served as a stark reminder to preserve these magnificent creatures and their habitat.

Chairman and CEO of the Miss World Organization, Ms. Julia Morley CBE said, “As ambassadors for positive change, we are proud to be invited to a gala that advocated such a strong message. Tigers are not just symbols of beauty and strength; they are vital to maintaining the ecological balance of our planet. Being driven by purpose, we are glad to see the efforts that are ensuring a sustainable future for these iconic animals.”

Shri Sudhir Sachchidanand Mungantiwar said, “The remarkable increase in tiger numbers from 3,890 in 2016 to 5,575 in 2023, with India and Nepal leading the charge by doubling the figures, is a testament to our collective dedication to preserving these magnificent big cats. Given the global influence of the Miss World team, hosting them seemed instrumental in taking the continued success of tiger conservation global, so that they can thrive in the wild for generations to come.”

The campaign aims to shed light on the imminent threats faced by tigers due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

Successful Tiger count increase is the outcome of strategies of the government promoting coexistence among the communities around forests and wildlife. We are organizing the “Tadoba Festival” in Chandrapur, the tiger capital of the world from March 1 to 3, 2024 to celebrate this success as well as to take these coexistence strategies global for the conservation of our wildlife for future generations. I extend my invitation to the Miss World team and contestants to visit the Tadoba Festival and Tadoba Safari during the Tadoba Festival next week.

The grand finale on March 9, 2024, at Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai will be live-streamed on the Sony Liv app. 

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