Nature8217;s signpost

While wildlife-lovers have always frequented the NDA, especially the Peacock Bay and the Khadakwasla Lake, in 1976, the academy was formally thrown open to the ornithologists of Pune. Since then, they have assisted the field study trips taken out by the cadets of the wildlife club which has pioneered the cause of preservation.

A memorable event for these crusaders was the visit of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and president, Worldwide Fund on November 25, 1994, to see for himself the lush surroundings and wildlife. A year later, a map of the birds and animals at Khadakwasla was put up in the campus, and similar pictures dot the main roads lined with gulmohars and bougainvillaea. That same year, under the auspices of Rear Admiral M. Awati former commandant of NDA, these enthusiasts undertook a venture to identify and record the flora and fauna of the place.

The common flora that adorns the area is the cassia siamia with vibrant yellow flowers, and trees such as the sisum, ashoka, royal palm and mountain glory trees, to name a few. Some of the exotic species that are not locally found but cultivated long back at the NDA estate are the jacaranda, pink cassia and gladisidia. The eucalyptus, bamboo, pagoda or temple tree, tamarind, wild date, cycas, sandalwood and pine form the melange of green treasures.

Amongst these have been spotted peacocks, monkeys, jackals, mongoose, red fox, hyena, black-naped hare, Indian wild boar and deer 8211; both the spotted and the barasingh8217; varieties. Around 90 species have been identified and photographed and those who have spent hours armed with their binoculars have been rewarded by a glimpse of the white-cheeked and the red-vented bulbul, paradise flycatcher, scarlet minivet, brongos, partridge, quail, Indian robin, bluejay, kingfisher and hoopoe. No wonder then the late Salim Ali was a frequent visitor to the academy.

About six months back, the NDA enlisted the services of Four Eyes Foundation to catalog all its floral wealth, mainly the trees. With Ankur Patwardhan as coordinator of Four Eyes and Capt R.N. Singh and the students of Botany department of S.P. College, they have so far listed 75 species of trees at the NDA.

Says Patwardhan, 8220;Besides the common species like zizyphus ber, gmelina shivan, teak and so on there are some rare ones like steriospermum, semecarpus and gardenia. We have, in fact, also presented them with about 95 species of wild trees that we are losing because of afforestation. The NDA is an ideal place for the preservation of such species because there is no interference from human beings and grazing is not possible as the area is totally fenced.8221;

While the entire campus is itself a haven, the hills around the Peacock Bay hold out further promise. For the NDA, this water body is especially important. Not just with reference to the nature that abounds here, but also because at the Peacock Bay is based its naval school that was established in July 1952, that introduces the cadet to concepts of navigation and naval communications. The Khadakwasla Lake provides the opportunity for various water sports such as lake-swimming, sailing, rowing, water-skiing, wind-surfing, rafting and kayaking.

But for the less adventurous, the sight of the lake from the Lake View Guest House of NDA with the majestic Sinhagad on the horizon is enough to take your breath away. One need not really feel the adrenaline rushing as one rows or surfs, the sheer beauty that unfolds before sets the spirits soaring.