A Trek to Remember…!!!

On the 14th of January 2023, Manovikas English Medium school organized a field trip

for the students of Class XI to Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. Included in the

excursion were a trek to the Tambdi Surla waterfalls, a visit to the Tambdi Surla temple

and a buffet lunch provided by Nature’s

Nest, a resort hotel in Sancordem, Goa.

It was organized by the Principal of

Manovikas, Mrs. Maria Norman and Ms.

Brenda D’cruz our English teacher.

The trip was around ten hours, with the

students arriving at school at 7:30am

and returning at 5:30pm. Transport was

provided by the school and the students

thoroughly enjoyed the bus ride to

Mollem. Two guides accompanied the

trekkers from the beginning of the trek to

the resort for lunch; Vitthal Naik, a

naturalist, and Brian Zhou, a student at

Harvard, USA.

The trek covered a large distance of

twelve kilometers both ways. During the trek, students were given information about the

location of the park, and the flora and fauna of Mollem. There were numerous monkeys

and the trees were mostly evergreen. Distinguishing which animal has crossed over a

path was also taught and the guide, Vitthal, explained with great care about the projects

and conservation centers in the park and Goa.

Students were also encouraged to maintain silence to hear the avifauna of the

sanctuary. Birds like the Kingfisher, Bulbul and variations of Indian hornbill are found in

the trees and animals such as the leopard, barking deer, tiger and the civet are known

to roam the grounds of the sanctuary. During the monsoons, the park is famous for the

variety of amphibians and reptiles, as explained by Brian. They have been interning in

the Sanctuary and are collecting data on the biota of the state since May 2022. Even

Vitthal was very passionate about the biodiversity present in the sanctuary and he was

always open to answering questions proposed by inquisitive students.The trek down was comparatively easier and only took around forty-five minutes as

compared to the one-and-a-half-hour hike up. Once done with the trek, students went to

pay their respects at the Sri Mahadeva Temple. This temple is the only temple still

standing that belongs to the pre-Portuguese era. Carved from a single piece of stone, it

is truly a world-class magnificent piece of architecture.

The students then returned to the resort for lunch which was a buffet of authentic

traditional Goan cuisine. Soon after the meal, the students went their own way to play a

variety of games offered; badminton, table tennis, basketball and darts. A few also opted

to go on walks across the property which were peaceful and relaxing at that time of the

day.

After over two hours being spent at the resort, relaxing after the tiring trek, the students

finally returned back to school. The ride back was marked with tired but happy smiles on

the student’s faces, having thoroughly enjoyed the trip. All in all, the trip to Tambdi Surla

was an extremely enriching educational experience for all.

– Ninoshka Fernandes and Kiera Dias