Turtle Festival 2015 at Velas, Ratnagiri

Nisarga Bhraman has arranged a family tour to the Velas Beach to attend the Turtle Fest 2015 organised by Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra, Chiplun. One can enjoy watching hatchlings of Olive Redlay Turtle. The tour also includes visit to the Bankot Fort, Velas Beach and Harihareshwar Temple. The place is also a good spot for bird photography. Stay will be in the typical village house.

Batch 1: 7 - 8 March 2015

Batch 2: 14 - 15 March 2015

Photo By: Hemant Naik

About the Place:

Velas: Velas is a birthplace of Shri Nana Phadanvis, one of the great prominant personality in Maratha History. The village is situated near the Bankot Bay. Shri Bhairi Rameshwar Temple, Shri Mahalakshmi Temple and a residence of Shri Nana Phadanvis are places to see in the village. The Velas beach is one of the popular breeding site of Olive Ridley Turtles which is an endangered species of marine turtles. Nests are preserved and protected and then hatchlings are released in the sea. The work is carried out by the trust - Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra, Chipalun.

Bankot Fort: 

Situated on the bank of Veshvi - Bagmandala Creek, this was the first residency of the British Raj in Southern Konkan. The fort of Himmatgad, now popularly known as Bankot from the name of nearby village. The main entrance of the fort is north-facing with a well sculpted arch and carvings. Watch guards dug out (Devdya) align on both sides of the Mahadarwaja with some pits being dug out in the right Devdi. On the left, there are steps leading towards Nagarkhana while there is an underground storey and a tunnel on the right. A Maruti idol in the centre stands deserted now. On the west, there is a small entrance (Darwaja) leading to a Bastion on the exterior of the fortifications. A deep well (now dry and filled) occupied the centre of this bastion earlier and the adjacent water tanks too are dry and obsolete now. One can leave the Buruj via a small exit that leads to the surrounding moat and a beautiful “Revni” lying nearby.

We invite you all enthusists to attend the festival and contribute towards the preservation of the olive ridley turtles.

Photographed by - Sameer Patel

Itinerary - 

Meet at Sanjay gandhi National Park Gate, Borivali at 10:30 pm on Friday.

Travel towards Velas by private vehicle. Pick ups on the way at Andheri, Bandra, Sion, Vashi and Panvel.

Pune participants also can join.

Saturday - 

• Reach Velas by 5:30 am
• Freshen up and Breakfast
• Visit Velas Beach for Turtle Festival at 7:00 am
• Back to village house for Breakfast
• Visit to Bankot Fort and explore at 10:00 am
• Back to Velas Village at 12:00 noon
• Lunch and Rest
• Evening Tea
• Visit to the Velas Beach for Baby Turtle watch at 5:00 pm
• Dinner and Stay in the village house

Sunday - 

• Wake up early and freshen up
• Visit Velas Beach for Baby Turtle watch
• Breakfast
• Move to Harihareshwar by crossing Veshvi - Bagmandala Creek in Ferry
• Visit Harihareshwar Temple & Beach
• Lunch at Harihareshwar
• Travel towards Mumbai at 3:00 pm
• Reach Mumbai by 10:00 pm (Subjective)

Note: We do not allow participants to go in the sea. 

Cost of the event would be Rs 2200/- only 

Cost Includes - 

> Travel from Mumbai to Velas and back by private non a/c vehicle

> Accommodation on dormitory basis

> Breakfast, Lunch, Evening tea and Dinner on Saturday

> Breakfast and evening tea on Sunday

> Visit to Bankot Fort

> Turtle Fest Charges

Cost Excludes - 

> Lunch on Sunday

> Packaged drinking water and cold drinks

> Camera Charges if any

> Anyhting which is not mentioned in the cost includes

To register for the event, contact - 

Parag Vartak: 9167966042
Sashank Acharekar: 9869509488
Sameer Patel: 9619848367

Hand over the cash in Person in co-ordination or transfer the amount to the account - 

Name of A/c Holder: Parag Vartak
Bank: ICICI Bank
Branch: Thakur Complex, Kandivali
A/c Number: 037601504142 (Savings)
RTGS/IFSC code: ICIC0001074

Here is a list of things to be carried for the event - 

• Haversack to put in everything to be carried
• Water - 2 Liters at least
• Bedding material (Sleeping Bag)
• Torch with extra set of batterries (Compulsory)
• Extra set of clothes, Towel, Napkin, woolen clothes etc.
• Personal medicines required if any
• Camera, Binocular
• Identity Proof, Something to munch on etc.

Few rules that we would like people to follow - 

• Possession and/or consumption of Alcohol will strictly not be  permitted on the event & would lead to expulsion from the trek.
• Smoking will be permitted only after consultation with the group leader and one has to move away from the group.
• Stay with the group.
• The leader’s decision will be final and binding on all members. No arguments will be entertained.
• Each member will be responsible for his/her own safety and baggage.
• Please do not wear any jewelry or gold chains/rings.
• Please do not litter, we believe in the saying, “Wherever you go, leave only your footprints and take back only memories.”