Current Project
SATISH GOGATE
Study…why Nandurmadhymeshwar is paradise of wetland birds?
I am pleased to have been a part of Mahindra & Mahindra for the past 38 years, where I have consistently learnt and pursued my hobby of living and examining Mother Nature even while working! I maintained a work-life balance by spending significant personal time Bird Watching, Wildlife Photography, and Trekking with my hectic working life.
To give it some significance, I enrolled in BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society) & in Rishi Valley, A.P, where I completed a postal course in Ornithology from Rishy Valley and Leadership in Wildlife Conservation. After studying the basics of ornithology, I undertook a project on ‘Nandurmadhyameshwar Bird Sanctuary’ in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. This inspiration was given by Mr Maruti Chittampalli, ex-forester and renowned bird watcher. I feel lucky enough to have him met in my life. He advised me if I wanted to share something unique and unexplored to society, then I needed to delve into just one place or bird for at least ten years to make it noteworthy research.
With the help of my wife, I began to explore this different journey in my life, called BIOMIMICRY, as I have always been inspired by nature.
I chose Nandurmadhyameshwar. I started visiting the place frequently in all the seasons. I started studying ‘Why migration of birds is highest in Nandurmadhyameshwar and why do birds prefer this place to migrate in Maharashtra?’
Further, I studied the place Geographically and Geologically. Climatic conditions, rainfall, bird census every year, irrigation history, river water conditions, and, most importantly, ecosystem developed to flourish biodiversity at Nandurmadhyameshwar in Niphad.
Nandurmadhyameshwar weir tank was built in 1913. It took almost 6 to 7 years to build this weir tank. During the reign of British rulers, the government decided to distribute Darna Dam’s water to the Marathwada area by systematic and periodic water distribution through canals. The backwater holding capacity was significantly less, almost 10% of medium storage dams. This dam is located at the convergence of the river Godavari and Kadwa, whereas the confluence of river Godavari and Darna is just 5-7kms away. Every river has a good amount of storage water dams, such as the Darna dam (river Darna), Gangapur dam (river Godavari) and Karanjwan dam (river Kadwa). There is periodic water inflow from Dams and outflow from canals. So, after every 15 days, freshwater is formed, and the salinity of water changes.
All three rivers come here from different Sahyadri ranges and different Talukas. River Darna originates in the Igatpuri district, streams in rocky patches that give the lowest PPM water (Parts Per Million). River Godavari originates in the Trimbakeshwar district; it shows slightly higher PPM water. In contrast, river Kadva origins in Peth taluka and due to the extraordinary amount of farming, like Grapes, the surrounding gives the highest amount of PPM water. Hence, at Nandurmadhyameshwar, different PPM water flows in its backwater. This has created a tremendous amount of biodiversity on frontiers.
Another big reason is near the convergence of Godavari and Kadwa. A shallow pond was naturally formed where water fetches external storage. It attracts many aquatic plants, microorganisms, fishes, molluscs, insects, snakes, and many invertebrates and attracts many wetland birds. This phenomenon has been happening at Nandurmadhyameshwar, forming rich biodiversity. In June 2019, it was declared the first Ramsar site in Maharashtra