Immediately after the rains in the winter season, it's a dream come true for trekkers in the barda hills.

Lush green woods with streams and little water falls all over the hills convert this area into a trek lovers dream destination.

A word to trekkers, please maintain the environment of this majestic place by not disturbing the ecology, as very few places in this area have this magic..

The barda mountains are about 90 KMS from Jamnagar.

Entry to this wonderful place is done after taking permits from the forest department, which falls under Porbunder district. One can take the permissions from the gate from where the uphill starts. Taking a heavy vehichle like Sumo, Qualis or Tempo trax is advised.

Its a tough road up the hills, but the drive is a great experience and it gives a chance to spot a variety of birds and animals.

During the hot summer months the Barda hills look like this. Generally all the streams  dry up and gives the place an arid look.

So if anyone wishes to visit this beautiful sanctuary while its lush green should make it there in the initial months of winter. That is between October to December.

Though this dry season holds an enchanting feeling in this barda hills.

Camels are used in the hills to transport goods to the top. One can even think about hiring these camels for touring the Barda.

One can ask the camel handlers to take from inside the woods via the natural trails - "kedi" to get the real feel of the barda.

For easy going, one can always use the trails called "kedi" used by the ethnic tribes (maldharis) of the barda hills.

Generally one can start trekking from the top of the Kileshwar hill from near the temple complex and go down into the valley and into the forest. Taking along a stick in the trek would be a good idea.

During the trek one can find different, butterflies, birds, hyenas, snakes, etc

If one gets the chance to be there in the barda during the Month of Shrawan, then one can join in the wonderful chanting of worshipping Goddess Momai done by the local Maldharis near the temple of Kileshwar Mahadev.  

Please respect the sentiments of the local people during the treks

Streams gather from all sides of the hills and run along this woods.

The calming effects of the natural sounds of the streams running on the rocks, soothe the senses.

This tranquil place is good for meditation too.

Permissions from the Forest Department is needed for visitng Barda Sanctuary.

There is a minus tide / spring tide on this 6th May for three days..

On the 7/5/08 the tide will be at the lowest of the year (- 0.3) In simpler terms, the sea will recede back to the lowest, during the low tide.

Which will reveal the rare corals (hard as well as soft variety) which would during the rest of the year be hidden under water..

It will also give a chance to see wonderful marine life such as ray-fishes, sharks, sea turtles, Dolphins etc in different rockpools thus created by the receding sea. Also the Islands will host plenty of Waders, Shorebirds along with seabirds in their breeding plumages. It will be like a walk in an aquarium in the middle of the sea !!

We: Bitto, Arpit, Axat, and i are planning to camp at Positra and the surrounding islands of Dabdaba, Ajaad, etc..

It will be a 3 hour drive from Jamnagar in a hired car and then, hire a boat and go to different islands checking out the marine treasures.. the initial plan is for 2 nights and 3 days camping depending on the permissions..

I had created a web gallery to show case the marine faunna of the Gulf of kutch.....

Here is the link for Picture gallery: Marine Creatures of Gulf of Kutch
                                                    Birds of Gulf of Kutch
You will find both Birds as well as Marine Creatures like corals, sea anemone etc. in picture gallery.

I'm setting up Video Gallery Once I will finish it I will let you know......

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