The Namdapha Flying Squirrel

The Namdapha Flying Squirrel, Arunachal Pradesh

In continuation to my earlier post on the Lion-tailed Macaque, here are pictures of some more animals that are endemic to India.These pictures have been taken by Soma Jha.

The Namdapha Flying Squirrel is found in Arunachal Pradesh. It happens to be in the critically endangered list because of loss of habitat and also because it is hunted for food and fur.

The Ruddy Mongoose (pictures given below) is found in Peninsular India and is endemic to India and Sri Lanka.

Ruddy Mongoose, Mudumalai

Ruddy Mongoose, South India

Baul song video from Jadvapur baul mela 2016

The folk songs by bauls are so spiritual and insightful, that they always leave a powerful impact on me. I am so completely mesmerized by the music, and the powerful lyrics of these songs. There is something so soulful and beautiful about these folk songs that I can’t get enough of it.

Here is another baul song video from the baul mela that happened earlier this month at Jadvapur in Kolkata.

The Lion-tailed Macaque; An endangered primate found only in India

The Lion-tailed Macaque

Found in the western ghats in Southern India, the lion-tailed macaque is among one of the most threatened primates.

Found only in India, the most unique feature of these primates is the Greyish-white mane surrounding their face. The name Lion-tailed comes from a black tuft at the end of their tail which is very similar to that of Lions. They usually live till 20-30 years of age, and feed on insects, seeds, fruits, etc.

They are endangered because of their gradually diminishing habitat, mostly because of coffee and tea plantations, and because of human settlement. Since they tend to avoid humans and choose not to be near any human settlement, the areas where they can thrive have reduced considerably, and that has impacted their population.

However, the good news is, because of the efforts to protect these primates, their numbers have grown in the recent past and hopefully it will improve. These photos are courtesy Soma.

You may want to visit the The Lion-tailed Macaque page of Wikipedia to know more about these primates.

You may find this post on endangered apes in India interesting as well.

The Lion-tailed Macaque

The Lion-tailed Macaque, in its natural habitat

Baul mela 2016, Jadavpur,India

One of my favourite events of the year is the Baul mela that happens typically around the 9^th and 10^th of January, every year, in Shaktigarh, Jadavpur, Kolkata.

If I am in town this is an event I never miss. Rarely do we get to see so many bauls coming together and performing in this event.

Here is a clipping of a baul perfomer singing.If you like folk music, this one is for you!

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Happy New Year 2016

Inle Lake; Photo by Soma Jha

May our lives be full of love, kindness, generosity, abundance, good health, peace...and may the journey ahead be exciting, joyful, and beautiful.
I wish you a very-very happy new year.