7 Feb. :A new lease on life for Miramar Beach and for birdwatchers too! On Feb. 7, 2002, noted environmentalist Dr. Nandkumar Kamat, appointed by the Government of Goa as a One Man Committee to examine the proposal to privatise Miramar Beach, recommended that the entire project be scrapped. Dr. Kamat heard objections submitted by various NGOs and individuals, and made his own assessment of the deficiencies of the privatisation plan. In his report to the Government, Dr. Kamat stated that he had found merit in 8 of the 47 written submissions on the plans to develop Miramar beach. Among the submissions that merited special mention, were the PMCA (People's Movement for Civil Action) submission, offering to draw an alternate and suitable plan in the place of MBMP (Miramar Beach Management Plan), a submission signed by 65 citizens with respect to the acceptable features of the MBMP, a submission by Goenchya Ramponkarancho Ekvott, which has arguments put forward from the human rights, livelihood angle of the traditional trustees of the beach i.e. the fisher people, an Eco-ornithological argument based on field studies about the habitat of migratory birds, presented by Southern Birdwing and a Legal theory argument by Ms Sangeeta Sonak of TERI opposing the MBMP

Our report very briefly but clearly stated that Miramar beach is a major wintering ground for Lesser sand plovers, Greater sand plovers, Kentish plovers, and Dunlin. This means that while many of these birds actually breed in the high altitude lakes of Tibet, Ladakh, they cannot take the cold, harsh winter in these regions. So for that period from October to March they migrate and ' winter' in hotter climes in India. Over the world ornithologists are now stressing the importance of protecting these 'wintering grounds', as they are called. WE stated that if the beach stretch was privatised and developed, then this THIRD largest wintering site for Lesser sand plovers in Goa would be threatened. We stated that amongst all the other inhabitants, these hardly noticeable fair-feathered friends were also stakeholders of Miramar beach and that their rights needed to be protected too. Click here to read the report .

 17 Feb. :Southern Birdwing's first 'Wild Goa!' Natural History field trip for Goans, takes off. The beach environ of Miramar is selected for this nature jaunt, for various reasons. We want to demonstrate that even a mere sandy stretch can play host to a multitude of fair - feathered friends and also because a field trip at Miramar is 'politically relevant' in view of the ruckus about privatising Miramar Beach. Quite unsure of the response, we are stunned to see more than 30 people turn up. Carl D'Silva, whose illustrations form the colour plates for Salim Ali's "Book of Indian Birds" is also present; he provides valuable inputs.

 28 Feb. :Cobra caught in the bathroom of a family in Vasco. Long ride back home at night, but worth the excitement. Later I release the cobra in Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary.

 3 March :Our second Wild Goa trip for Goans. This time we explore the hills of Porvorim and the lake at Pilerne. Excellent sightings of Oriental Honey Buzzard, Rufous Woodpecker, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Wooly necked stork, Painted Snipe, Wood Sandpiper.

 14 March :Huge rat snake measuring 250 cms caught by me at Altinho, Panjim. The 'Field Guide' by Romulus Whittaker states the maximum length attained by a male rat snake is 3.5 metres. For me, this Ptyas mucosus specimen will be my largest recorded yet. It is released later at the Bondla reservoir.

 15 March :Saw scaled viper caught in a living room in Dona Paula. I am thrilled! Saw-scaled vipers are present in urban and rural habitats in Goa, but rare to find. They are one of the Big Four, India's four deadly poisonous snakes. Just one bite from any of these can prove fatal. The venom of the Saw-scaled viper Echis carinatus is physiotoxic.

 17 March : The people protest against the government's plan to cut 39 rain trees along the Miramar - Campal stretch, in order to widen the road. It is a unique protest, unlike any seen before in Panjim. Musicians, artists, environmentalists, gather along with the general public under the shade of the rain trees at Campal and make their displeasure known in various manners. A brass band, suitably armed, journeys all the way from Benaulim in a bid to show solidarity. Both Goa's famous cartoonists Alexyz, and Mario Miranda are present along with other renowned artists, who paint on the spot. Alexyz draws caricatures of people and is surrounded by kids till the very end. Other children participate in drawing and quiz contests. Some tiny tots hug a huge rain tree. People wear tree-shaped balloon hats, and creatively colour a huge banner. Two theatre groups, the Mustard Seed Art Company (of which Neil and I are members) and Rafiki stage plays. The message is clear: Lay off our rain trees! The Government gets the message. The very same evening, it announces that the plans to cut the rain trees have been shelved.

 19 March : Checkered keelback hatchling recovered from Santa Cruz. The owner of the store room swears it is a cobra. It is easy to understand why. The keelback has the binocellate like markings of the cobra on its hind neck!

The same evening a Sand boa falls on our bed in the guest room. My brother and I find it hilarious, but my mother is not amused.

 27 March : Rat snake caught under a fridge at Falcon Resorts, Candolim. Initially it is aggressive. Nevertheless, the cute looking girl at the reception is not afraid to handle it. March is getting hotter, maximum temperature 31 % C. Humidity 69 %.

 28 March :The Forest Department alerts me to a Cobra call at Chimbel, 5 kms. from Panaji. I rush to the area and call the number given to me, for directions to the house. A man tells me not to bother coming as he has already called some people to kill the snake. I lose my temper and threaten to throw him behind bars if the cobra is harmed. When I reach there, Naja naja (latin name for the binocellate cobra) waits for me. Angry at being disturbed, but safely alive. I put it in a sack and leave. The owner looks on sheepishly, and promises never to kill snakes.