Amboli : luscious Green Rain Forest

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Amboli rain forest is the part of luscious green forest, Western Ghats. Famous for its calm, beautiful and venomous Malabar pit viper, variety of frog (approx. 16 species of frog reported here), breath taking waterfalls, thick rain forest and many more. Amboli is a beautiful hill station and situated at the altitude of 690 m like a diamond in a Maharashtra crown and near the border with Goa. According to local, this forest is spread in 24 square KMs. Melody of continuous flowing stream, continuous song of rain, euphonious sound of forest, chorus of frogs are some of the exclusive qualities of Amboli.
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Bhaskar

Amboli

Road

Mist

Stream

Amboli has a beautiful Malabar pit viper which shows a different shades and color which help them to blend to its surrounding, phenomenal also known as polymorphism. Among variety of shades green Malabar pit viper or rock Malabar pit viper is most commonly spotted one. Apart from Malabar vit viper, Amboli has approx 30 species of snake (according to local) including deadly cobra, russell viper, common krait and friendly green vine snake. My guide shared his experience many people are coming forward to get help for snake rescue and calling concern authorities if any venomous snake specially cobra spotted in human area or inside someone’s home. It is gratifying to see people behavior are changing towards snake and they are realizing snake are not enemy to human kind and plays exceptional role to keep our planet safe and secure. While visiting Amboli be respectful to its wilderness and species, specially snake. We are the one who is trespassing their habitats, they have every right to live there peacefully and enjoying their life without any disturbance.

Green Vine Snake

Green Vipe Snake

Malabar Pit Viper

Malabar Pit Viper Cream Morphed

Malabar Pit Viper Grey Morphed

Cat Snake

Amboli forest was full of spectacular frogs and their unique sound. The bush frog also got name as typewriter frog due to its continuous typewriter sound. The whistle frog sound like whistle or sometime like a small kid. In dark it seems like some human is calling you. The tree branches brushes to each other in wind to create door closing sound. Tree sound mixing with whistle and bush frog voice create the impression like someone watching from dark forest. These sounds are the reason for all the horror story we listen about forest, the unknown energy which can only be heard but can’t be seen.

Whistling Frog

Amboli Leping Frog

Malabar Gliding Frog

Ornet Frog

Cricket Frog

Frog Egg

Apart from snakes and frogs Amboli has variety of macro species. Listing and recognizing all species is impossible task for me, but I photographed all much as possible with limited time I had there. Amboli is also known for its bear and leopard. Its hard to spot any mammals here due to dense forest and they love to spend their time deep inside forest. Moreover, due to incessant rain mammal migrate from this part of forest in rainy season.

Caterpiller

Crab

Grasshopper

Gecko

Hitler bug

Snail

Spider

Soider

Stick Mantis

Alluring Kavlesad waterfall, defy the gravity and fly towards sky with the help of heavy wind from valley, Nangartas waterfall roar the victory sound and stand tall with pride, the shy and less explored baba waterfall add divine to amboli beauty. Amboli waterfalls are perfect spot for family weekend and out of box experience. While visiting amboli be a slow traveler, discover and listen lyrical song of beautiful green luscious forest.

Waterfall

Nangartas Waterfall

River

I used to explore forest at day time from 10 am to 1 pm and at night time from 6pm to 9 pm. Variety of frogs and snakes are nocturnal in nature, so sighting was high at night time, but night has its own challenges when it comes to photogram in heavy rain. At day time most, common sighting was green vine snake and frog eggs. Reaching Amboli was easy from Pune. Maharashtra state bus service MSRTC provide direct bus service from Pune to Amboli and they also provides online ticket booking service, which helps in hustle free journey. Exploring the forest without local guide can be proved foolish decision at any point of time. Kaka Bhise is local to Amboli, has great knowledge of forest and its species and helping in nature. I explored the forest and its species with him. He is very busy in rainy season and it is advisable to book with him before reaching Amboli. Anyone can contact him at +91-7588447161 and +91-8007121517. Finding accommodation on week day will not be an issue but on weekend it will be crowdy. It better to book accommodation before reaching Amboli. Whistling wood is nearest to forest and far from all traffic sounds, but it is costly compare to others. One of the reasons is its location. I stayed at Durvankur Hotel run by Narvekar family, and I had pleasant memory here. It has basic facility with clean room, attached wash room and TV. Although I never switch on the TV so can’t say how many channels they provide. Main purpose of visiting rain forest to saying good bye to all electronic items and spending time with nature. Staff member at this hotel was very friendly. Hotel can be contacted on +91-9423819274 and +91-9637082832.

Kaka Bhise

Durvankur Hotel

About Post Author

bhaskar

Bhaskar Trivedi is an engineer by profession. Photography is his passion, and travelling an integral part of his life.You can follow him on Facebook, National Geography, Twitter, Instagram, or Google+.