DESI DISCOVERY QUIZ 30

The correct answer is

1.       Ridley Tortoises in Orissa ( seasonal) – not far from Puri

2.        Marine Park  in between Jamnagar & Dwaraka

3.       Rameshwaram  Marine Park, Rameshwaram

Linking Factor: Marine Parks

The hectic site activities were taking a toll on the team. I decided to take them on a Sunday outing to the Narara marine park, as it was not far from our site

Permission from wildlife authority has to be taken 1 day prior at Jamnagar.

We packed our lunches & set off. Barring a rickety rusted gate –to cross which  you needed the permission - there was no infrastructure at the marine park.

We had our lunch & then started wading through the low tide waters upto 800m inside the sea. We had to wade through lot of green moss & other marine growth. Snorkelling is not possible & not required here.

Now & then a group would shreik about their catch - a fish or an octopus & all would run in the waters to see the catch. The octopus here was not as cute as in kids cartoons, or drawing books. Brown & slimy, they had long elastic tentacles & had an inbuilt deceptive mechanism. When they sense a predator they quickly emit something  that made  the water there black & turbid & the Octopus would quickly vanish & hide beneath some growth or rocks –which is where we need to search. They are extremely quick to hide, despite which you can have a good catch for amusement & release it back.

This activity was a good stress buster & always suggest to go in groups of  not less than 10 or so.

Port Blair too has corals & ornamental fishes – but not torotises;  you need to go by glass lined boats & snorkel to see them. Avoid rainy seasons & clouded days.  The one at Rameshwaram  has both tortorises, corals & ornamental fishes.

Whether you go to Dwaraka or Puri or Rameshwaram, do spend some time in stress bursting. Pl check for permits, tide related permissions, crowds etc to help you plan better.