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Fishing is major source of entertainment in Kochi

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Kochiites, young and old alike, are having fun fishing this monsoon

Kochiites are celebrating the monsoon and how! As much as they are enjoying the rain, they are having fun fishing during the season. And their haunt is the old Venduruthy bridge near Thoppumpady and the Goshree Bridge near Marine Drive. Young and old alike, who have taken a fascination for fishing, flock here to set the bait. And from 9 am they are glued to their hobby to well past midnight!

Fishermen of a new ‘class’
For the majority, fishing is more or less a recreational activity. Surprisingly, most of these ‘fishermen’ belong to the working class. From contract workers to bank employees, people from all walks of life can be spotted here. And it is not just people who reside at nearby areas who mostly come here to fish, but people from Palarivattom and even Kakkanad. “I stay at Kakkanad and my office is also near my home. But every evening, after work, I come here to fish. I find it very relaxing,” says Sani M S, who works with the BSNL.

kochiNibu O S is a contract worker and since he is almost jobless owing to the rains, he goes fishing. “I have been visiting this place for the past few months. I get a good catch at times and sometimes I sell them or take them home. I get anywhere between Rs 200 and Rs 900 a day,” he says and adds that, “Some of the regulars know the right spot from where they can get a good catch. So, they come early and reserve their place in the morning itself,” he shares.

Monsoon special
“It is said that, you get a good catch when it’s cloudy and drizzling. Probably that could be a reason why people go for fishing braving the heavy rain. Also, since there is a ban on trolling, there are a lot of fish in the inlands. So the catch is aplenty during the monsoon,” says Sleebachan, who works at CSEZ. “Considering how expensive it is to buy fish today, I think fishing has become more than a pastime for me,” he adds.

An inexpensive hobby
Forget expensive or sophisticated fishing rods. If these new fishing enthusiasts are to be believed, all you need is a nylon yarn and tackle, which can be bought from any stationary shop. The thickness of the yarn will differ depending on the kind of fish. “To catch a big fish, at times we throw two or three rods together,” says Sleebachan.

The bait
The most commonly used baits are prawns, sardines and chicken waste. “If you use a live fish, it’s easy to catch the big ones,” shares Nibu. One can even put a glitter paper as bait. The big fish mistake it for smaller ones and bite it.

The catch
The most common catch during this season is choora (tuna), koori (mystus), vatta (bluefin trevally), nachira, palaamkanni, udumban, madhuran and chempally. Udumban also has medicinal properties and is considered good for asthma. Makri, which is yet another medicinal fish, is also found in plenty during the season.

Patience is the key
All you need to pursue this hobby is patience. Sometimes for hours or even for days together you might not get anything. “I have not caught a single fish in the last two days. One really needs to have patience to sit and wait for a good catch,” observes Sani.

Fishing for fun
Joseph J, a fire and rescue services personnel, waits for his friends from the Gulf to join him in fishing. “Since we meet only once-in-a-while, it is a lot of fun. We get a lot of time to sit and talk, and it’s relaxing,” says Joseph.

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Many trains will be terminated

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Many trains will be terminated

Many trains will be terminated due to fog. Please read this news paper report:-

dhund hind

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India Railway will help you visit Taj Mahal

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“All arrangements have been made and our systems are in place. The trial will begin December 25. It has taken us a long time to work on this project which will change the image of the ASI,” Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), N K Pathak said.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will be the service provider of the e-ticketing facility, in collaboration with the National Institute of Smart Governance, he said.

After one month trial of the e-ticketing facility at the Taj Mahal, the ASI would extend the similar facility to other monuments, managed by it.

ASI officials said the e-tickets will have security features including bar code, and bar code scanners would be installed at the entry gates.

The ASI is training its staffs for effective and efficient use of the facility, which is likely to put an end to the long queues at the ticket counters.

Tourists had to stand for long hours in queues to buy entry tickets.

Tourism circles in Agra have welcomed ASI’s initiative saying the facility would help check resale of entry tickets and fake tickets by unscrupulous elements.

It is said that the ensuing online facility would also help the ASI in managing the number of visitors.

(This article was published on December 13, 2014)
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Take a break: top 7 places for bird watching in India

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Summer is setting in, sure. But, what about taking a break from Delhi and head to Maharashtra, for there are places there that are still playing host to winged visitors. Plus, the Flamingo Festival, starting on March 29, will be an added bonus. “The peak birding season started around October and is coming to a close by May,” says Rahul Jauhari, who runs the website nopincode.com. Atul Sathe of the BNHS adds, “Mangroves in Vikhroli, wetlands in Nhava-Sheva region are good spots.” Here are some other places that the duo highly recommend.

Ulwe and Uran
What: Both places are renowned when it comes to bird watching. However, the numbers are rapidly dropping, thanks to rampant construction in the region.

Often spotted: The list of birds seen here is endless — from Marsh Harriers, Blue-tailed Bee-eaters and Green Bee-eaters to Black-shouldered Kites and Red Wattled Lapwings. Uran is the older haunt for bird watchers, but, according to the experts, is now a shadow of its original self. However, Red-vented Bulbuls, Ashy Prinias, Asian Pied Starlings, Moorhens, Scaly Breasted Munias, Red Avadavats and Spot Billed Ducks, among others, can still be seen in these parts.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2014/3/2203citypg14a.jpg

Nagla Forest
What: One of the lesser-known spots inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), in Borivali East, Mumbai.

Often spotted: Situated to the north of Bassein Creek, this is thought to be one of the most highly rewarding walks at the SGNP. Nature lovers are in for a treat as well. Birds like the Grey Junglefowl, Indian Grey Hornbill and Rufous Woodpecker can be spotted while on the trail.

Tungareshwar sanctuary
What: Home to three types of forest — dry deciduous, moist deciduous and semi evergreen — it forms a corridor between  SGNP and Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary.

Often spotted: Species like the Rufous Treepie, Shikra, Black-hooded Oriole, Brown-headed Barbet, Red-whiskered and Red-vented Bulbul can be seen in the area.

Thane Creek and Padale Gaon
What
: These spots are frequented by birders in the area.
Often spotted: While Thane Creek is known to attract Flamingos and Waders this time of the year, Black Kites seem to favour Padale Gaon. Apart from the Raptors, Munias, Woolly-necked Storks, Drongos, Egrets, Marsh Harriers and Sandpipers are also seen the region.

Kanheri Upper Trail
What: The route involves a gradual climb through the wooded forest of the SGNP.
Often spotted: One of the few places to offer the perfect mix of nature and adventure, catch a glimpse of the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Shikra, Grey Jungle Fowl, and Indian Peafowl. Or head to the plateau near Kanheri Caves, which is excellent for viewing raptors, like the Crested Serpent Eagle. You could also visit the ancient Kanheri Caves.

Sewri 
What: The mudflats here turn into a bird watcher’s paradise as they play host to millions to pink visitors.

Often spotted: One of the best places in the city to spot Flamingos, this is a good time to head there. It is also a good place to see migratory birds such as the Broad-billed Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, and Eurasian Curlew. On a good day, one will also catch a glimpse of the Common Redshank, Little Herons, Little Egret, Brown-headed Gull, Grey Plover, Sand Plovers and Avocet, among others. The annual Flamingo Festival is also scheduled to take place on March 29.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2014/3/2203citypg14b.jpgMaharashtra Nature Park
What: Once a treeless garbage dump, this park located in the heart of the Mumbai (Dharavi) now acts as its green lung.

Often spotted: It is home to several migratory and resident species like the Black Kite, Shikra, Eurasian Wryneck, Little Green Bee-eater, Barn Swallow, Bluethroat, Purple Sunbird, Great Egret, Greater Coucal and Laughing Dove.

Bhandup Pumping Station
What: A well-kept secret, the lake near the pumping station attracts water birds. Signs put up also say that one can spot mongoose and snakes here.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2014/3/2203citypg14c.jpgOften spotted: The area is known to host water and land birds, and often, Flamingos can be seen here as well. That apart, the Clamorous Reed Warbler, Common Kingfisher, Red Avadavat,  Pond Heron, Woolly-necked Stork, Eurasian Marsh Harrier, Black Kite, Asian Pied Starling, Painted Stork, Little Cormorant, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Laughing Dove, Red-wattled Lapwing, Green Bee-eaters and Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, among others, are common visitors.

Also Head to Airoli Creek and vashi bridge: These spots are frequented by birders looking for Flamingos and Waders.
talawe: This area on Palm Beach Road is yet another hotspot. The water body behind the NRI Complex, Seawood Estates, is a great place to observe birds.

Dombivli: Well-known birding sites here include Nilje Lake, the Bhopar area, Dombivli Creek and Khoni.

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