Saturday 3 January 2009

WCNC NatureCamp 09

The WCNC Nature Camp this year will be covering the North East region of India extensively. We plan to visit Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Assam.

Meghalaya
"Abode of the Clouds”, this is Meghalaya, the destination which soothes the minds of weary travellers. Clouds are always found during the monsoon season nestling in the tropical forest valleys of Garo Hills or in the temperate pine forests of the Khasi and Jaintia hills.Situated in the North Eastern corner of India, Meghalaya is bounded by Assam in the north and east, and the plains of Bangladesh in the south and west. The state covers an area of 22,429 sq. kms with a population density of 78.5 per sq. km.TKhasihe name describes the climatic phenomenon that brings torrential rain to its hills and forests, these same hills and mountains are responsible for this climatic experience as they force rain clouds coming in from the Bay of Bengal to move up - resulting in heavy rain. The Cherrapunjee belt receives the highest rainfall in the world.The higher ranges of the Khasi/Jaintia hills enjoy a cool, bracing, temperate climate while the winters can be cold. The Garo hills on the other hand, is at a lower altitude, and has tropical vegetation. The summer months in Tura, the administrative capital of Garo hills, are warm and humid whereas winters are pleasant with a slight chill.Meghalaya became the 21st State of the Indian Union, when it achieved full-fledged Statehood in 1972. Home to the Khasi, Garo, Jaintia and some lesser known tribes, Meghalaya boasts of a unique matrilineal lineage system practiced by all the three major tribes with some degree of variation. Property is inherited by the women, and the youngest daughter is the heiress of the ancestral property in the Khasi/Jaintia tradition. The Garos have a slight variation, if the youngest daughter is found not worthy, the property may be given to any of the other daughters.

Mizoram
Mizoram lies in the southernmost outpost of North Eastern India, the land of the Blue Mountains. Manipur, Assam and Tripura bind the northern end of this little island of tranquility with neighbouring countries Myanmar and Bangladesh nestling most of the state between them. Evergreen ranges of Mizoram hills with blooms of exotic flora and dense bamboo jungles rise sharply from the plains of Assam in a north south direction. These hills and plunging gorges are criss-crossed by gushing rivers and sparkling waterfalls. Highest among its several peaks is the Phawngpui The Blue Mountain.In sharp contrast to the dense jungles and steep hills is a rugged quilt of lush paddy fields all the way from the center of the state towards the Myanmar border.Oral tradition reveals (there is no known recorded history) that the Mizos migrated from their homeland in China about 3 centuries ago, in search of new pastures and settled in these remote Mizo Hills (Lushai Hills). In the nineteenth century this region was annexed to Assam, under the British rule, as the Lushai Hills District and in February 1972, it became the 23rd state of the Indian Union.

Tripura
Tripura is one of the seven states in the north eastern part of India located between 22 degree and 56 minutes and 24 degree and 32 minutes north latitude and between 90 degree and 09 minutes and 92 degree and 20 minutes east latitude. It is bounded on the north, west, south and south-east by Bangladesh whereas in the east it has a common boundary with Assam and Mizoram.There is a common belief that the name of the State has originated from "Tripura Sundari" - the presiding deity of the land which is famous as one of the 51 pethos of Hindu Pilgrims. Apart from this traditional view it is believed that originally the land was known as "Tuipra" meaning a land adjoining the water. It is fact that in days of yore the boundaries of Tripura was extended up to the Bay of Bengal when its rulers held sway from Garo hills to Arakan.The history of Tripura as a administrative unit dates back to the days of Maharajas when the territory was a native State. It is significant to note that all though Tripura was conquered by force of arms in 1761, no Political agents was appointed in the State till 1871 - a gap of 110 years.


Charges: Rs. 8000 for students of Wilson College
Rs.9000 for ex-students.

Dates: May 2nd - 19th,2009

Price includes:
1.Travel - Mumbai to Guwahati on 2nd May by Guwahati Express 5646 from LTT, Mumbai and back by the same train on 17th May from Guwahati, Assam.
2.Meals - Veg and Non Veg (Except during the train ride)
3.Accommodation.
4.Forest entry fees.
5.Bus travel within states.

Registration: January 3rd to February 1st,2009

Payment details :
STUDENTS
Rs. 2000(NON-REFUNDABLE) to confirm registration before February 1st +Rs.3000 before March 1st (2500 refund for cancellations before March20th)+ Rs. 3000 before April 2nd.

EX STUDENTS
Rs. 3000(NON-REFUNDABLE) to confirm registration before February 1st + Rs.3000 before March 1st (2500 refund for cancellations before March20th) + Rs. 3000 before April 2nd.

For more details on the places on the Itinerary visit www.wcnctrips.blogspot.com


For inquiries contact
WCNC - 9769 455 729
Glen D'souza - 9819 211 523
Eisha Mhatre - 9221 077 365
Disha Pinge - 9819 355 707