Upendra Swami

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How to kill a wetland, India style

Upendra SwamiApril 25, 20245290 Views3

Water bodies and wetlands in the heart of the city are rare and need to be preserved. That’s exactly what we don’t do and try to milk whatever we can at any cost, even at the cost of the existence of the wetland. That is what I have learnt and witnessed in last more than 20 years, and that too in the National Capital. Sanjay lake was conceived and developed in 1970s and was opened in 1982 by the DDA. It is everyone’s guess that whom it was named after. Few years back a big flock of painted storks used to visit the lake. Sanjay Lake has been dear to me, as I have been living around it for almost 25 years now. My life has grown with this lake being witness to it. It has been part of my morning walk and fitness schedule and it also had been a playground for my naïve photo...

India

The Pied Kingfisher story

Upendra SwamiFebruary 26, 20245867 Views2

Have seen pied kingfisher a few times in all these years, although not as frequent as I have seen our most common, white-breasted kingfisher. White-breasted kingfisher can be easily seen in green areas around water bodies in and around Delhi. But first time, I saw the pied kingfisher was when I was part of an international river expedition on the Ganges from Gangotri to Gangasagar as a media person. There were a few distant sightings along the riverside. Well, that was way back in 2009. Watchful eyes! Then, some years later, I went to Bharatpur bird sanctuary. We had a guide with us on our bicycle safari. Going deep inside the sanctuary to get a close view of sarus cranes, we got a distant sighting again of a pied kingfisher. It was so far that, we needed a binocular to see it...

International

A journey through time and fragrance in Singapore

Upendra SwamiNovember 6, 20234523 Views1

Unveiling the fragrant floral heritage of Rainforest Orchids Singapore, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and stunning flora, is home to unique floral legacy that includes the historically significant Raffles plants, Singapore's botanical treasures, Farquhar's botanical sketches, and the enchanting world of rainforest orchids. The lush, diverse rainforests of the world are dwindling, with only a handful remaining as a testament to nature's beauty and wonder. Among these exceptional treasures, the Singapore rainforest stands out as a unique gem, home to a rich array of orchids that are deeply intertwined with the island nation's culture and history. In a world where preserving biodiversity is crucial, Singapore's floral heritage shines as a symbol of hope, resilie...

AdventureIndia

When the blood is spilled and goddess becomes happy!

Upendra SwamiAugust 29, 20234225 Views0

Held every year on Raksha Bandhan, Devidhura Bagwal is a unique festival India is a land of myriad cultures. The different cultures and societies have their own festivals. And, even the festivals common across cultures have different ways to celebrate. Most of these festivals find their roots in mythological stories and legends, therefore don’t feel surprised when I say that even today a festival is celebrated where people throw stones on each other with intent to hurt so that blood is spilled which would eventually make the goddess happy and she will shower her blessings. Barahi Devi temple at Devidhura Festival happens at Devidhura in Champawat district of Himalayan state Uttarakhand every year on the day of Raksha Bandhan, which falls on full moon day of the Shravan (or sawan...

AdventureIndia

Sight of the unexpected! A tiger out of nowhere at Sattal

Upendra SwamiDecember 25, 20227592 Views6

4.33 PM; Nov 7, 2022. Studio region Sattal, Uttarakhand. No one... no one ever told me about presence of any tiger in and around Sattal region. No birder, no friends, no fellow travellers, no officials have in recent memory recorded the presence of any tiger here. And, if they have, then no one probably reported it. Leopards are many, that we know, but tigers? But, this is what I saw and captured on that day, when I was strolling in forest of the studio region for a quick birding trip! Am I the only one to capture a tiger in the region! More than a month and half has passed since the incident, but I still don’t have concrete answers, no responses from any official, district administration, wildlife authorities or even tiger conservation authorities! What everyone—who has seen the ph...

AdventureIndia

Mighty and beautiful: Birthi Falls

Upendra SwamiDecember 9, 20224758 Views2

India is a land of mountains and rivers, no doubt that there are many waterfalls and many of them compete with each other in their sheer beauty. Also, we have majestic waterfalls in almost every corner of country. There is no way that you can compare beauty of Chitrakote with beauty of Dudhsagar or of Jog falls with Nohkalikai or of Athirappilly with Hogenakkal. Its pointless to do so. Birthi Falls near Munsiyari Each one has its own magic irrespective of its height or width or volume. Since, a large part of India’s natural treasure lies in inaccessible regions, waterfalls also are among them. So even a waterfall with a small height can cheer you up when it comes right in front of you all of sudden while trekking in a remote region or biking in Himalayas. Birthi is one such falls...

AdventureIndia

A big shout-out to all those who help strangers on road

Upendra SwamiApril 5, 20223991 Views2

My bike has always been a trustworthy partner on my road trips. It has taken me to numerous solo trips including trips to Leh and Kaza. There had been challenges from weather, roads and other things, but my Royal Enfield Thunderbird always carried me through on tough roads. Solo rides are always risky, there can’t be any doubt about it. However one might prepare oneself for everything, you never know the unseen. Worst things is, if you are struck in middle of road, you have to look for some help, when the problem is beyond your capacity. My bike has always been trustworthy travel partner for a decade now! I have had my shares of mishaps, falls et al but never the serious ones. On the other side, I have met many others stranded on the way for one reason or another. I rememb...

AdventureIndia

When nature has the last laugh

Upendra SwamiDecember 7, 20215360 Views2

I had wished for long to travel to Darma Valley in Uttarakhand, ever since one of our senior photographer friend Jaimitra Singh Bisht from Almora had written about it in my travel magazine Awara Musafir. (You can read the article here.) Planned it a few times earlier, but couldn’t materialise. Two years of COVID only complicated the travel plans. But this year, I finally managed to put together an itinerary. And yes, on my favourite way to travel- my Royal Enfield Thunderbird bike! Majestic view of Darma valley with Panchachuli peaks in background. Photo: Jaimitra Singh Bisht Total trip was going to be long, almost 12 to 13 days, almost same as my bike trip to Ladakh. Well, I am not writing about the different destinations or the route or the biking here, as I will be doing so in co...

AdventureIndia

Corbett beyond Tigers and safaris

Upendra SwamiOctober 6, 20214142 Views3

A butterfly trail inside the forest can be equally interesting It wasn’t quite far inside from the main road leading to Haldwani from Ramnagar. We had taken the jungle road from the Chunakhan Forest Rest House. Forest check post is just about a kilometre from here. From the check post you start a 20-25 minutes trek to Barati Rau Waterfall. The forest personnel in-charge of the beat post was initially reluctant to let our group go towards the fall, citing the COVID restrictions. He relented, only after charging the tourist fees, for which I never got the receipt. He insisted on taking a local guide along with us, his argument being that there were bear cubs in a cave close to waterfalls. A local guide will help us in knowing the direction as well as save us from any untoward incident...

IndiaNews

Kerala goes big on Caravan Tourism

Upendra SwamiSeptember 16, 20218437 Views2

Next big thing for Kerala Tourism in three decades since houseboats After Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand, now it is Kerala’s turn to promote Caravan Tourism in state. But it does this in a bigger and proper way, by bringing out a dedicated comprehensive policy, thus becoming the only state to have a comprehensive Caravan Tourism policy. This policy encompasses everything from approvals to vehicles and parks.With its diverse but accessible landscape, Kerala is one of the best places worth exploring in a caravan. Last two years have changed the way we perceive leisure travel, Now, rising to the demands and preferences of tourists in the post-pandemic world, Kerala has announced a comprehensive, stakeholder-friendly Caravan Tourism Policy, promising the visitors safe, customized ...