Kanha Diary in brief

Itinerary

8.11.19. Kolkata (1800 hrs) -Jabalpur (20 00 hrs) by Spice Jet airlines - stay at Jabalpur at Rajul Township (Airbnb)

9.11.19. Jabalpur (830 hrs) -Kanha (Sterling Resort - 1330) - 1st Safari in the afternoon

10.11.19. Kanha - 2nd Safari and 3rd Safari

11.11.19. Kanha - 4th Safari (morning)

12.11.19. Kanha - 5th Safari (morning)

12.11.19.  Kanha (1230) - Jabalpur Airport (1730 hrs)- Indigo airlines (1925 hrs) Kolkata (2125 hrs)

Kanha Diary in brief

8.11.19. 

Kolkata (1800 hrs) - Jabalpur (20 00 hrs) by Spice Jet (the fare was Rs 11,000 to and fro) - stay at Jabalpur at "Rajul Township" - Airbnb of Akash Yadav ( "fixed rate" Taxi - Rs 600 from airport to his house). His brother Vikas Yadav manages the property in his absence. They also arrange safaris.

Makin' Memories - Entire Bungalow (Airbnb)

Mob 7773 02 09 92

H9, Swarn bhumi, Chaggar farm, Tilahri Mandla road, Jabalpur

Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh 482020

We paid Rs 4359 for 4 rooms in 2 floors (4 toilets). We are 6 people. The flat is modern with all the facilities one can expect - mircowave, coffee maker, fridge, sugar etc

It is in a location which is absolutely calm and quiet.You can see birds from the balcony ! You can go to Marble rocks ( Bhedaghat) easily from here.
We got our food home delivered for the dinner. They can help you to deliver the food in their home (you can tell them from the airport) from the nearby restaurant. Zomato was not working when we arrived in Jabalpur.

9.11.19.  

Jabalpur (830 hrs) - Kanha (Sterling Resort - 1330)  - 1st safari

We were picked up from our Airbnb at 8.30 pm. We paid Rs 12,000 from Jabalpur to Kanha and back (with a de-tour to Marble rocks on our way back).
We had our brunch at a local Dhaba at around 10 pm. It is around 1.30 hour from Jabalpur.Their Aloo Paratha was quite good. We reached our resort at around 1.30 pm. Distance is 161 Km. Google Maps shows that this distance can be covered in 4 hours but it took us 5 hours to reach. The roads are generally good and picturesque.

There is another option - you can come to Kanha from Nagpur, but it will take more time and cars will be more expensive. But plane fares to Nagpur is often much, much cheaper. Last time it was only 7000 to and fro !

Know Kanha

The Kanha National Park was originally a part of the Gondwanas or the “land of the Gonds”. The term Gondwana has evolved from Gonds. The forest of the Kanha Tiger Reserve was inhibited by two indigenous tribes of Central India, the Gonds and the Baigas. The vicinity of the reserve is still occupied with the villagers of these tribes.

It is said that the inspiration for writing The Jungle Book for Rudyard Kipling, came from Pench and Kanha National Park. The beautiful terrain of the Park with its lush bamboo forests, grasslands, ravines and the thriving wildlife is said to have added fuel to Rudyard Kipling’s imagination. This finally culminated in the birth of one of the world’s best classics, “The Jungle Book”.

At 940 square kilometres in the core zone, and 1,009 square kilometres including the buffer zone, Kanha is the largest park in Central India. The park occupies a large forested area in the southern part of Madhya Pradesh. Kanha is located in the Satpura range of the Maikal hills. It is quite near the very centre of India and is within driving distance of three other major tiger reserves: Satpura, Pench, and Bandhavgarh. 

Located in Mandla and Balaghat districts, the forests of Banjar and Halon valley collectively form Kanha National Park.

Kanha has two major gates/entrances, one is in Mandla district (Khatiya) and the other is in Balaghat district (Mukki) , apart from Sarhi (which is the 3rd gate- not too many people use it). But Mukki region can be seen even from Khatiya gate also : we did that only. Kanha is one of the most picturesque parks of Madhya Pradesh and India. Kanha continues to top the list of National Parks in India. While as per government guidelines, only 20% area is open for tourism. Kanha National Park is divided in 4 tourism areas:

• Northern zone (Sarhi)
• Southern zone (Mukki)
• Central zone (Kanha)
• Western zone (Kisli)

Kanha is divided into 4 zones – Kanha (Khatiya Gate entry), Kisli (Khatiya Gate entry), Sarhi  and Mukki (Mukki or Khatiya gate entry). All the zones are equally good but the tigers in Kanha and Kisli zones are better accustomed to seeing humans around them and so it is believed that the chances of spotting tigers in these zones are better.

The 3 entry gates of Kanha National Park – Khatiya and Mukki (and Sarhi )are far away from each other, so please keep this in mind before you plan your transport.

Khatiya is the main entrance and it leads to Kanha zone, Kisli Zone, Sarhi zone and also  to Mukki zone. Khatia entrance is usually preferred . Mukki entrance covers the Mukki zone.

There are 4 main types of vegetation: moist deciduous ( those that lose all of their leaves for part of the year) forest, dry deciduous forest, valley meadow (vegetated by grass and other non-woody plants. ) . Sal trees dominate the moist deciduous forest, giving Kanha its special character.

As per Madhya Pradesh Tourism website: “The winter months (November to early March) are cool and dry, with the day temperature rarely going above a comfortable 32°C, and the night temperature dipping as low as 2°C with occasional frost.

It was surprisingly chilly in the morning. 

The summer months (March to mid-June) are hot and dry, with temperatures ranging from 42°C in the day to 20°C at night.

The park is closed to visitors once the monsoon breaks in mid to late June. The Park reopens again on 16th October.”

Safari Timings in winter:

6.15-11.30 am

3-5.45 pm

Kanha National Park remain open for visitors from 16th October to 30th June.

If you’re planning on doing the morning shift, you will have to wake up at 4.30 am or even earlier.

Some important places to see inside Kanha National Park are Bamni Dadar (sunset point), Kanha Museum (you will most likely stop for a toilet break here) and Medicinal Plan Conservation Area.

One really good thing about the afternoon shift is that it will give you a chance to see Bamni Dadar – the sunset point inside Kanha.

Only 6 people are allowed to sit in one jeep along with one driver and naturalist. All the vehicles are allowed to follow a fixed route as per permit ticket.

Best time to visit Kanha National Park

Weather-wise, the best months to visit Kanha National Park are from October to March, which are winter months in India. Tiger sighting is easier when the forest dries up from late March to May, however, the heat can be unbearable at this time. This is when most of the wildlife photographers visit the park.

Nature lovers will love the months from November to February because the rainfall before these months revives the vegetation in the forest.

Recent surveys indicate that Kanha's sal forests and meadows contain a growing population of around 130 tigers. There are also around 100 leopards and huge populations of deer and antelopes, including some 600 southern swamp deer (bara-singha) which exist nowhere else in the world. The park’s captive breeding program brought them back from the brink of extinction.  It is the only subspecies of swamp deer in India, except the great swamp deer of Sundarbans. You’ll see plenty of langurs, the odd gaur (Indian bison), wild boar and silver backed jackal . 

Over 260 bird species have been recorded here too. Approximately 120 butterfly species are there in Kanha. We were told there is wild dog at the moment. 

The animals which you will find here easily are :

• Barasingha

• Barking Deer (Muntjak)

• Chital or Spotted deer

• Gaur

• Hyena - we did not see

• Jackal

• Jungle Cat - we did not see

• Langur

• Leopard - we did not see

• Sambar

• Sloth Bear

• Tiger

• Wild Boar

• Common Palm Civet - we did not see

• Ruddy Mongoose - we did not see

• Common Mongoose

• Indian Fox - we did not see

• Flying Squirrel - we did not see

• Indian Porcupine - we did not see

• Indian Hare - we did not see

• Nilgai

• Chowsingha - we did not see

• Indian Pangolin - we did not see

• Fulvous Fruit Bat

• Blackbuck

Nocturnal animals like fox, hyena, jungle cat, civets, porcupine, ratel or honey badger, and hares can be seen outside the park confines.

Reptiles such as Indian pythons, Indian cobras, krait, rat snakes, vipers, keelbacks, and grass snakes are nocturnal animals, so rarely are seen.

Birders especially love Kanha.

The birds you can find easily are :

Indian peafowl

Lesser whistling duck - we did not see

Cotton pygmy goose - we did not see

Rufous woodpecker

Great egret

Brown-headed barbet - we did not see

Malabar pied hornbill

Indian roller

White-throated kingfisher

Green bee-eater

Jungle owlet

Little grebe - we did not see

Black stork - we did not see

Oriental turtle dove

Yellow-wattled lapwing

Oriental honey buzzard - we did not see

Grey headed fish eagle - we did not see

Red-headed vulture

Crested serpent eagle

Rufous treepie

Greater racket-tailed drongo

Red junglefowl

Parakeets

Paradise flycatchers - we did not see

Babbler

Hawk Eagle
Shrike

There are many people who keep a close eye on the tigers, and know them by sight, and you can follow along and learn all about them from several resources.

On Facebook, you can search for groups like Tigers of Kanha and Tigers of Central India, which are updated almost daily with tiger activity.

Kanha stars

Tigers of Kanha National Park are famous for its awesome population of 130+ thanks so superb habitat and a large prey base owing to its deer population. Here are some of the most valued and loved tigers of Kanha National Park.

Munna (Tiger)

Kanha’s most loved tiger, this tiger is famously recognized with the letters C-A-T spelt on its forehead from the formation of black stripes. Bold and brash with not a care in the world for his onlookers, he is responsible for the famous Kanha adage ‘Road hi Road’ ..which indicates his preference to walk along the dirt tracks owing to his comfort with the scores of gypsies that follow him. This bold demeanor has led to this tiger giving wildlife enthusiasts the best of tiger sightings, sometime for hours at an end!

Nak-kata (Tiger)

One of the largest and more mature tigers in the range, Nak Kata is known to be aloof and wary of of vehicles. He prefers secluded areas of his territory, a very large one indeed surpassing those of which Kanhari Camp, Digdola, Sarhi, Bihlwani, Neelamullah and Link 7. His name means ‘cut nose’ and he is easily distinguishable by the large scar he carries on his nose.

Bheema (Tiger)

Known to be one of the dominant males, in recent times territorial rivalries with the upcoming Link 7 has resulted in his being thrown out to the periphery of Mukki i.e. Babathenga area. Known for his size, Bheema still remains a popular amongst other tigers of Kanha.

Mahavir Male (Tiger)

Mahavir Male is known to be a good hunter, especially for such a young age of 7 years, but has been known to take cattle. He is yet to establish a full territory and roams the buffer areas where villages and hence cattle are in abundance. His growing resemblance to Gaur Singh is shown mostly by his rapidly increasing size. Son of Mahavir female and Chain male, he was part of a litter of three, the other 2 being his sisters.

Mahavir Female (Tigress)

Fondly called as the princess of Kanha, this gorgeous female recently gave birth to a litter of four. However she was unfortunate to lose two of them to the Kingfisher Male tiger. Known to be a very calm and composed individual, she is famous for her willingness to pose for the camera – she is truly the showgirl of Mukki!

Neelam (Tigress)

Moody tigress currently ruling the Kanha meadows with her litter (first litter of two cubs) , she is known to be wary of tourist vehicles, sometimes feigning a mock charge at the prying gypsies. Not the one who enjoys the limelight, her unpredictable behaviour entices the mind for one glimpse of her breath-taking beauty.

Red Eye (Tiger)

The Red Eye tiger is the recent rival of beloved Munna, owing to the fact that he seems to be in his prime and is seen swiftly capturing more area for himself. Currently he seems to have established his territory in the abundant Kanha zone.

We had our 1st Safari in the afternoon. The gate opens at 3 pm. After keeping our luggage at the resort , we left for Khatiya gate at around 2.20 pm. We were staying at Sterling Resort (it is at Mocha) and Khatiya gate is around 6 km from our resort. One of our group members, is a  a member of Sterling Resort. 

There are many good resorts on Chiraidongri Kanha road - it can be found in google map; e.g. Mogli Resort, Windsor Tiger Resort, MPTDC Baghira, Tribal woods, Tiger's habitat, Kanha Resort,Kipling camp,Pugmark Resort, Vanya Resort on this road. You can get their phone number in google map itself.

Today our permit is to Mukki Zone. We entered through Khatiya Gate. However there is another gate to enter Mukki zone. Permit fee is Rs 1550. Car hiring charge is around Rs 3500 per safari.

Since I was busy with two major tours (of Rajasthan and France) during that time, I had to partly outsource the job of booking the permit (and also arranging the car , Innova, from Jabalpur and back, safari car - gypsy, safari driver) to my trusted and very knowledgeable friend Avijit Ganguly who runs a wildlife magazine Aranyok and a "Company" for Wild life safaris (only). The rates have been very reasonable (later I found out, on my independent research) .

              avijitwildlife@gmail.com  

+91 94330 67783  • Mobile

+91 98319 18004  • Mobile

We did our 1st Safari in the afternoon. The gate opens at 3 pm. After keeping our luggage at the resort , we left for Khatiya gate at around 2.30 pm. We were staying at Sterling Resort (it is in Mocha) and Khatiya gate is around 6 km from our resort. One of our group members, is a  a member of Sterling Resort. 

Today our permit is to Mukki Zone. We entered through Khatiya Gate. However there is another gate to enter Mukki zone (Mukki gate).

We were very lucky to see tiger - Dhawajhandi Female.

We saw numerous Chital or Spotted deer, Gaur and sloth Bear.

Gaur

Spotted deer or chital

Sloth bear

10.11.19.  - 2nd Safari and 3rd Safari

Today our morning safari permit is to Kisli zone. The gate opens at 6.15 am. We left for Khatiya gate at around 5.45 am. In the morning safari, I forgot to take my camera battery - interestingly we hardly saw anything in the morning safari ! 

After morning safari we had our lunch at the resort and quickly took a short nap, and left for afternoon safari.

Today our afternoon permit is to Kanha zone. In the afternoon safari we saw Sambar, monitor lizard, famous bara-singa (or 12 horns), spotted deer, black buck and vulture. Black buck is an antelope.
The most prominent difference between antelopes and deer is that male deer have antlers which they shed and grow every year, while antelopes have horns that are permanent. Another difference is that deer antlers are branched and antelope horns are not. So Bara-singha is also a deer.

Bara-singha

monitor lizard

Bara-singha

Sambar

Black buck

After the afternoon safari we had some snacks (onion Pakora, Dal Pakora and Chilli Pakora) from the last stall (after exiting) near Khatiya gate. It was really good.

After some chit chat at the resort, we left for dinner.

11.11.19. - 4th Safari 

We left for Khatiya gate at around 5.45 am. Today our morning safari permit is to Kisli zone. Today we spotted  rare tiger - Sonder male, Wagtail , Hawk eagle. One naturalists took picture of our tiger (from the camera !) and identified it on closer look. When we spotted the tiger,both the times, we were the only one present there !

Sonder Male

Hawk eagle

In the evening we were planning to go for night safari. But we later dropped the plan. The cost would have been around Rs 5,000 with guide charges.

Today is my birthday. So we celebrated it in the resort with  Kebabs and some alcohol at the verandah of our resort. 

12.11.19.  - 5th Safari 

Today our morning safari permit is to Kanha zone. Today we spotted silver backed jackal, Coomon Hoope, Vulture, Indian Roller Bird, Green bee eater.

Silver backed jackal

Vulture

Indian Roller bird

Our plan was to leave for marble rocks at 11.30 hours , but we left at 12.30 hours and therefore we had to skip going to Marble rocks.

source: https://www.google.com
It takes almost 1 hour to reach Marble Rocks (or Bhedaghat) from Jabalpur. Our plane (Indigo is at 19.25 hrs. When we reached the airport - it is around 1745 hours. On the way to the airport we had our lunch at the same Dhaba.

We reached Kolkata safely at 9.30 pm.

What to pack for your wildlife safari

From November to February, it can be very cold – in the park, especially for the morning drive. You will need to wear layers of clothing, and take it off as the day heats up.

Light coloured, neutral clothing – in shades of white, beige, khaki, pale green – are the best, as they don’t distract the animals. Animals gets aggressive with red/yellow coloured dress.

Do not put perfume, since you can misguide the bees and can even be attacked.

A sun hat is always recommended. It can be very dusty, and you may want to cover your mouth and nose with the bandana. I also recommend taking a water bottle, tissue paper, and hand disinfectant. Toilet facilities are not always up to par, though they are better at Kanha than any other park I’ve seen.

Tips:

• Do not go to Mukki zone in evening time from Kisli gate. Select Mukki zone for morning as morning slot is of around 4 hours. From Kanha-Kisli zone it required 40-45 min to reach at Mukki zone

• Park is closed on Wednesday evening .

• Nature walk is allowed inside the park with a guide and guard. Check at Ticket counter for more details.

• Night safari start at 1930 hrs. We skipped this tour at the last moment.

• If possibe keep the same driver for all safaris. For that we paid Rs 2000 extra to our driver.

Source

Wikipedia

https://breathedreamgo.com/kanha-national-park-tiger-reserve/

https://drifterplanet.com/tiger-safari-kanha-national-park/

https://www.kanha-national-park.com/places-next-to-kanha.html#pench

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tigerofkanha/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanha_Tiger_Reserve

http://pritskulkarni.blogspot.com/2015/05/wildlife-photography-trip-to-kanha.html

https://naturesafariindia.com/post-detail/kanha-national-park-a-summary-of-season-2017-2018-by-naren-malik

https://www.pugdundeesafaris.com/blog/tigers-of-kanha-national-park-from-the-diary-of-a-naturalist/

https://www.diffen.com/difference/Antelope_vs_Deer

The italics part has been copied/edited from other blogs.

All you want to know about Bacteria,Virus, Antibiotics and Immunization

Infection: cause & cure (edited)

By Dr Gita Mathai

Infections are universal phenomena affecting all ages and sexes. The symptoms are fever, pain, cold, cough, diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps. Infections are caused by external organisms, usually bacteria or viruses, entering the body. Infections may be due to Virus or Bacteria. Sometimes, it is impossible to clinically distinguish between bacterial and viral infections. But antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections.They are effective only against bacterial infection. (Antibiotics is a medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms. )

Antibiotics may then be prescribed because of pressure from patients or bought OTC - over the counter. Their misuse has lead to a global problem of superbugs — bacteria that are resistant to available antibiotics and which can eventually cause death.

Bacteria have been in existence for billions of years and predates even dinosaurs. Single-celled organisms very much like a plant cell, they have a rigid outer wall supporting a thin, flexible membrane that surrounds fluid cytoplasm and a nucleus. Bacteria are able to survive extreme heat, freezing cold and even radioactivity. They go into a dormant state or mutate so that they can change their structure to withstand adverse conditions. Many bacteria live harmlessly in the environment and the human body. Some are beneficial and can help in digestion, produce micronutrients and vitamins, and even attack cancer cells. Only 1% of bacteria is harmful and causes disease. The Bacterial infections have to be treated with antibiotics. This anti bacterial -medication of antibiotics either kills the bacteria outright or prevents them from reproducing until the population superannuates and dies. 

Some bacterial infections such as diphtheria, tetanus, pneumonia, ear infections, and typhoid can also be prevented with immunisation.

For fungal infection, you need anti-fungal medication.

Viruses are tinier than bacteria and can only be seen under an electron microscope. They contain genetic material in the form of DNA or RNA in a protein coat. They are incapable of independent existence and have to enter a living cell to survive. Once inside, they reprogramme the cell nucleus and multiply rapidly. Finally, the cell bursts and the viruses are released into the immediate environment and the bloodstream. When they invade, they can transform a normal cell into a malignant one.

Anti-viral medication (not antibiotics) is available against a few viral infections such as hepatitis B and C, herpes and influenza. They are not as effective as immunisation, which programmes the body’s own cells to produce antibodies against the virus. This remains in the memory of the cell. Although the antibody level falls over a period of time, in the event of an infection, the cells can make antibodies rapidly. 

Immunisation is available against viral infections such as hepatitis A and B, chicken pox, measles, mumps, German measles, polio, diarrhoea due to rotavirus, seasonal flu, Japanese B encephalitis and HPV (human papilloma virus) which causes 97 per cent of the cervical cancers. In other words anti viral medication will not work against chicken pox, measles,polio,flu etc. More over some bacterial infections such as diphtheria, tetanus, pneumonia, ear infections, and typhoid can also be prevented with immunisation.

Unfortunately, there is a great deal of unscientific negative publicity on social media about the perceived undocumented and unproven side effects of vaccines. As a result, many children are being denied protection by guardians.

Bacterial infections for which there is no treatment or immunisation have to be treated with appropriate antibiotics in the correct dose for a sufficient duration. 

Viral infections such as bronchitis and otitis do not have any specific treatment. General measures like antipyretics for fever and cough suppressants can be used for symptomatic relief. 

Recovery from viral infections may take 10 days to two weeks.

Infections are less frequent and recovery is more rapid who exercise regularly because it gives their immune systems a boost.

Source : telegraphindia.com

FAQ for General Insurance for office

SFSP

Many people do Standard Fire and Special Perils (SFSP) Policy for their office, without understanding the implication. This is only for the beginners. SFP is an insurance contract that safeguards the insured against unforeseen contingency caused by accidental fire, lightning, explosion/implosion, destruction or damage caused by aerial devices, man made perils in the form of riots, strike etc, natural calamities like storm, cyclone, flood etc, damage caused by impact by a rail or a road vehicle, damage cased by landslide or subsidence, peril caused by pollution and contamination, bursting and/or overflowing of water tanks, apparatus and pipes, missile testing operations, leakage from automatic sprinkler installations and bush fire.

SFSP Policy is a package insurance which covers the following set of perils :

Perils Covered:

1. Fire
2. Lightning
3. Explosion / Implosion
4. Aircraft damage
5. Riot, Strike, Malicious damage (RSMD Perils)
6. Storm, Tempest, Flood, Inundation, Hurricane, Cyclone, Typhoon and Tornado. (STFI)
7. Impact by any Rail/ Road vehicle or animal belonging to third parties
8. Subsidence / Landslide including rockslide.
9. Bursting and / or overflowing of water tanks, apparatus.
10. Leakage form Automatic Sprinkler Installation.
11. Missile Testing Operation.
12. Pollution or contamination resulting from any of the above perils
13. Any insured peril resulting from pollution and contamination.
14. Bush Fire

Out of these point no. 5 and 6  i.e. STFI and RSMD perils can be deleted at the inception of the policy for which suitable reduction in premium rate is allowed. If you want to reduce the premium , then you can ask STFI to be excluded from SFSP.

Please note Burglary, Cash in Transit , Theft is a separate policy and has nothing to do with SFSP.

Significant Exclusions from SFSP are :

        Losses/ Expenses not covered:

1. Loss of earnings, loss by delay, loss of market or other consequential or indirect loss or damage of any kind.
2. 
   
3. Perils not covered:
4. 
   
5. Riot, Strike or Malicious Damage losses arising out of:
1. total or partial cessation of work
2. Permanent or temporary dispossession resulting from order of the Government.
3. Permanent or temporary dispossession resulting from the unlawful occupation by any person.
4. Theft, larceny or omission by any person, in a malicious act.
5. 
   
6. Following are the add on covers with additional premium and not part of SFSP :
7. 
   
8. Earthquake (Fire and Shock)
9. Terrorism
10. Loss of rent.
11. Insurance of additional expenses of rent for alternative accommodation.
12. Start up Expenses
13. 
    
14. Sum Insured:
15. 
    
16. # Property can be insured on depreciated cost (market value) or replacement (or reinstatement) cost basis.
17. 
    
18. # In order to get better protection, insurance on reinstatement (replacement) basis is recommended. The sum insured selected should be adequate for reinstatement.
19. source: orientalinsurance.org.in and economictimes.indiatimes.com

MOTOR VEHICLES

There are 2 types of covers available :

A.Liability Only cover - insures you against any legal liability following an accident involving your vehicle. It does not cover any damage to Own vehicle.

It is often referred to as Act i.e. Motor Vehicles Act. Third-party insurance is compulsory for all vehicle-owners as per the Motor Vehicles Act , without this Motor vehicles cannot ply.Third party cover does not pay for repair of damage to your car or if you suffer any car-related injuries. 

The policy covers the following risks only :

1. Injury or Death of Third Party - It covers only your legal liability for the damage you may cause to a third party - bodily injury, death and damage to third party property - while using your vehicle. 
2. Third party Property Damage (TPPD upto Rs. 7.5 Lacs)

# Various Add on Covers on extra premium , Accidental Loss of or damage to the Vehicle , Personal Accident cover to  owner-driver

B. Package cover - 

i) Insures all liabilities, as per the Motor Vehicles Act, AS MENTIONED ABOVE, AND

ii) Own damages or Accidental damage caused to your vehicle - It is the non-compulsory ‘own-damages cover’ part of the comprehensive motor policy that actually pays you in case of damage to or theft of your car It is, therefore, important to understand its scope in detail. 

The package policy is better and also known as  Comprehensive Motor Insurance policy (or 

Passengers Carrying Package Policy)  as it provides both third party coverage and damages/loss to one's own vehicle, co-passengers or self.

The policy covers Own Damage to the Insured vehicle caused by:-

1. Accident by External Means : Fire, Explosion, Self Ignition and Lightning
2. Transit by Road, Rail, Inland Waterway, Air, Lift
3. Burglary, House breaking or Theft
4. Terrorism, Riots, Strikes or Malicious Acts (RSMD)

     Earthquake, Flood, Storm, Landslide, Rockslide

Any transport vehicle /car /omnibus whose unladen weight is more than 7,500 kgms or is used for carrying goods/ passengers is classified as Commercial Vehicle. 

On paying extra premium the policy may be extended to cover liabilities to the employees who may be travelling in the vehicle,but is not a paid driver ;Legal liabilities to the person employed in connection with the operation & maintenance of the vehicle.

Exclusions that can be included by paying extra premium:

There are many risks/expenses other than the permanent exclusions , that are normally not covered under a standard comprehensive plan but can be included within the scope of the policy by paying extra premium. These include:

1. Gradual Wear and Tear: Loss due to normal wear and tear of the car is not covered under a standard plan. This is the reason why at the time of policy renewal .the insured value (technically called the Insured Declared Value (IDV) of your car is revised downward to adjust for depreciation. By doing this the insurance company is excluding the loss in value that your car has already suffered due to the normal wear and tear in the previous years. 

However, adding a Zero Depreciation cover ensures that value of damaged parts is not depreciated before reimbursement and you get full reimbursement for cost of parts replaced. This cover extends to the repairing/replacement cost of fibre glass, rubber parts and plastic. Though, opting for a Zero Depreciation Policy will result in slightly higher premium it is worth considering , especially if your car is less than 5 years old. 

2. Mechanical or electrical breakdowns are not covered under a regular motor policy. Meaning, the most valuable part of the car, your engine is not covered for non-accidental failures or malfunctions. Now, imagine a situation where the engine of the car is submerged in a waterlogged area. Starting the car in such a scenario can result in the engine seizing. This will not be covered under regular insurance. Here, adding an engine protector cover will insure the car for all non-accidental exclusions related to your engine. It is highly recommended for luxury cars. Also, consider buying if you plan to take your car off-road and it has a low ground clearance. 

3. Extended Accident Cover: A basic personal accident cover for the owner-driver is compulsory provided the owner holds a valid driving licence and is able to drive the car. However, the passengers or a hired driver are not covered under personal accident insurance. There is an optional add-on personal accident cover for the passengers of your car as well as separately for your paid driver.

Third party cover does not include cover for your legal liability towards your paid driver. Therefore, if your car is not self-driven you need to buy a cover for your driver, under the Workmen Compensation Act. The size and premium for this cover are both fixed-- Rs 2 lakh coverage for a nominal price of Rs 50 (excluding service tax). 

4. The standard motor cover is applicable only in India. However, the geographical area of motor policies may be extended to include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives for a flat additional premium of Rs 500 per vehicle, irrespective of the class of vehicle. 

Ref : Website of Oriental Insurance and Economic Times

FAQ / All you want to know about Land and its terminology in West Bengal

I. What is the meaning of “Danga or Bastu (or Vastu land)” Shali in West Bengal ?

It is the classification of lands : Danga, Bastu, Dahola, Sali etc .


Literally Danga is an non agricultural high land. It is the land just beside a Pond. For constructing house, the nature must be converted from Danga to Bastu ( or Vastu).

If you want to convert these lands to a specific category of land ( as per Govt  classification list of lands  ), whether  the land is really convertible or not, as per extant / existing rules  ,  you have to apply for ‘conversation' to the office of the Land and Land Reform Office (e.g. BLLRO upto a certain limit ) under your jurisdiction.

II. What is the meaning of Sali or Shali or Danga land in West Bengal ?

"Shali" land, means agricultural land  mentioned in the Land Record or Porcha  . Houses are built on Bastu land and not on Shali land. Shali land is 2 crops land. Sona land is more than 2 crops land.


III. Nine-fold Classification of Land in West Bengal

1. Net sown area (or area actually under cultivation) is 63%

2. Current Fallow land - unculturable land and pastures (in West Bengal it is very low)

3. Fallow, other than current fallows,

4. Culturable waste land,

5. Permanent pasture and other grazing land and

6. Barren and unculturable land

7. Land put to non agricultural use – 19%

8  Forest -13%

9. Misc tree crops and Groves

http://www.wbagrimarketingboard.gov.in/Ninefold/100.html

IV. F. A. Q:

1. What is land conversion ?

Permission is necessary for change in land use - which is called Land Conversion; say from Sali / Danga / Pukur / Dobato Bastu

2.Whom should I approach for my land conversion and how should I apply ?

An enterprise desirous of making any change in the area, character or utilization of any land under its ownership may apply to the ADM(LR) and DLLRO i.e. District Land and Land Reforms Officer (for above 1 acre of land) ; SDLLRO i.e. Sub District or Divisional Land & Land Reforms Officer (for above 10 decimal to 1 acre of land); BLLRO i.e. Block Land & Land Reforms Officer (for land up to 10 decimal) of the concerned District/ Sub District or Division / Block for permission in the prescribed format.

3.   When should I apply for land conversion ?

 An enterprise may apply for land conversion, after mutation of the land.

4.   What are the documents required for application for land conversion ?

      It is guided by section 4C of WB Land Reforms Act 1955 read with section 5A of The West Bengal Land Reform Rules 1965.

i. An application in Prescribed Format
ii. with requisite payment of process Fee for Conversion in court fee affixed on it or in cash,
iii.a copy of the registered deed of transfer,
iv. copy of the Rent Receipt showing the payment of upto date revenue of the land in question,
v. copy of the Mutation Certificate,
vi. EM-I /IEM acknowledgement,
vii. copies of map of the said plot of land along with adjacent plots of land and
viii. any other documents that may be required for disposal.

5. Is NOC from the adjacent plot holders required ?

No, the system of obtaining NOC from the adjacent plot holders has been discontinued. Instead adjacent plot holders may be called for hearing.

6. What is the procedure of land conversion ?

An enquiry will be made by the field officer.

7. What is survey ?

Survey means Measurement .Whenever there is any dispute, Court orders Lawyers who has passed Surveryorship exam to report on the land with map. The person does the survey are called Amin. There are 4 types of Survey : Bakbastu survey, Cadastral Survey, Revenue Survey and Revisional Survey/ Revisional Settlement or RS (it means old maps are corrected and revised )

As per section 51 of West Bengal Land Reforms Act, to make a revision in Khatian (page of ledger) you need to use Cadastral or Traversal survey by using Theodolite machine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcRs3KTQzN0

8. When is mutation required and what is the meaning of mutation ?

Mutation means change. As per section 50 of West Bengal Land and Land Reforms Act, Mutation is required after purchase/Gift of land or exchange of land or getting a land as per inheritance. Mutation comes under State Law, whereas Registration comes under Central Act ie Registration Act 1908. Before mutation, registration is a must. Building Plan cannot be sanctioned unless mutation is done.

9. What is Raiyat ?

As per definition-al section 2 of The West Bengal Land Reforms Acs, 1955, "raiyat" means a person or an institution holding land for any purposes whatsoever  . They cannot change the nature of land without conversion. In https://banglarbhumi.gov.in/ Raiyat has been described as Owner.

For conversion of nature of land, section 5A of The West Bengal Estates Acquisition Act, 1953 is applicable. (http://www.bareactslive.com). Under the WB Estate Acquisition Act 1953 one should not hold more than 25 acres. This is per person. 

However as per West Bengal Land Reforms Act  1955 it is 25 acres non agricultural land : per family of 5 people. If the family size is less then 5, then maximum permissible limit is less than 25 acres.  As such the formula is 1.4 non Agricultural land = 1 agricultural land.

As per wikipedia Ryot (alternatives: raiyat, rait or ravat) was a general economic term used throughout India for peasant cultivators. While zamindars were landlords, raiyats were tenants and cultivators, and served as hired labour. A raiyat was defined as someone who has acquired a right to hold land for the purpose of cultivating it, whether alone or by members of his family, hired servants, or partners. It also referred to succession rights. Ryot originates from Arabic word ra`īyah, translated as "flock" or "peasants".

10. What is Jot / Jotdar ?

Jot or Holding is land under Tenant and Jotdar is owner of agricultural land

11. What is Bargadar ?

The farmers who work with Barga (Barga means sub-lease) land. That is the genesis of Bargadar. "Bargadar" means a person who cultivates the land of another person on condition of delivering a share of produce of such land to that person. Operation Barga was a land reform movement throughout rural West Bengal for recording the names of sharecroppers (bargadars) in official records. It bestowed on the bargadars, the legal protection against eviction by the landlords, and entitled them to the due share of the produce. Operation Barga was launched in 1978 and concluded by the mid-1980s.  Whereas Te-bhaga movement means establishing the right that  2/3rd  of the produce, will go to the farmers, from 1/3rd, which was the norm.

12 What are the consequences of abolition of Zamindari system ?

Zamindars cannot hold more than 50 Bigha of land.

13. What is Dag no. ?

Dag numbers are  plot numbers. Every Plot or Dag has a particular number. What is (LR) Dag no. in rural area is Plot no. in Urban area. The Govt of WB website https://banglarbhumi.gov.in has all this information.


14. What are the different divisions in a State ?

i. State 
ii. Many Districts or Zila or Jela make a State 
iii. Many Sub Districts or Sub Division or Mahakumas make a District
iv. Many Blocks make a Sub Districts or Sub Division or Mahakuma
v. Many Mouzas (or village or villages) make a Block
va. &> = 1 villages make 1 Mouza
vi Many Dag or Plots make a Mouza/Village

## Khatian is a page of a ledger in Land Reforms office. So the concept is one man one Khatian (Personal ledger). Khatian is obviously unique and under one Khaitan there is name of one person and all the "Plots or Dag" he is holding under his name in that Mouza. One can have number of plot No. or Dag No. in a Khatian. Obviously Plot is also unique. But a plot/Dag can be owned by many person.

So if you buy any agricultural land, it has  to  start  with :

District South 24 Parganas, Block Bhangar II, Mouza : Tara Hadia,  JL No. 13, LR Dag No. 617 , LR Khatian no. 895, Area of Land 0.06 acre , Description : Shali. 
One of the owners or Ryot of LR Plot no. 617 is Asadul Molla - who has Khatian no. 895 (under this Khatian he hold some other plots also) holds only 0.0133 out of 0.06 acres of Land

Mouza (No. of plots make a Mouza) : Tara Hadia,  JL No. (no. of JL nos. in a PS. JL is basically the serial no. of Mouza. ) 13, LR Dag (Hal Dag or New Dag ) / RS Dag (Sabek Dag or Old Dag)  No. 617 (or Plot no. , if urban) , LR (or RS)  Khatian no. 895, Area of Land 0.06 Acre , description : Shali. Previously Britisher used to equate a land with Police Station or Tauzi . It has been done away with. So if you mention Tauzi it has no significance.

e.g. HIDCO has only information about RS Dag no. and not LR Dag number. So one should quote only RS Dag number for the purpose of HIDCO. Normally they are same. However https://banglarbhumi.gov.in/ only mention LR Dag number - which is the computerized umber.

In https://banglarbhumi.gov.in/ one can find RS Dag no. by putting LR Dag no.

To get any information under the above website, first you have to get yourself registered.

## Every block has a Block Land and Land Reform Officer or BLLRO . If you enquire in BLRO office then you will get information about Dag/Plot , Khatian, Shatak (100 Decimal) Land area

## JL = Jurisdictional List. There are number of JL no. or Mouzas under a PS.

### Every land today has been "settled" , so description of Land should start with RS (or LR) or Revisional settlement. Without RS it is not possible to identify any land.


14A. How much is Hectare or Acre or Cottah or Satak or Chittak ?

1 Chittak ( or Chhatak) = 45 sq ft (or half of 10 ft by 10 ft room)
1 Decimal =10 Chittak = 450 Sq ft  ( 1 Cottah= 720 Sq ft )
1 Cottah (or Kattah) = 1.66 Decimal = 16 Chittak = 1.66/100 Acre i.e. 1/60 Acre = 720 Sq ft (45x16)
1 Bigha  = 20 Cottah
1 Acre = 3.025 Bigha or 3 Bigha 0 Cottah 8 Chittak or 1 Acre  = 100 Decimal = 60 Cottah
1 Acre = 100 Decimal = 100 Satak / Shatak
1 Hectare = 2.47 Acre = 7.5 Bigha (= 2.47 x 3.025 )  = 150 Cottah  (=7.5x20)

### For conversion calculation , click here convert-1-decimal-to-square-feet-sq-ft.html

15. What is Patta or Porcha ?

Porcha is Record of Rights or ownership rights. Under section 49 of West Bengal Land Reforms Act when a land and agricultural rights are given to a poor man, from land vested with Government, it is called Patta.

16. What is Land conversion ?

Section 4, 4A,4B,4C 4D of WB Land Reform Act 1955 dictates how the land is to be used and how it is controlled by Land and Land Reforms officers. Whenever a land is used for purposes other than prescribed, then land of the raiyat will be vested with Government. If the land is not used for 3 years or more, then also land may vest with Govt. A person can apply for land conversion after mutation is done (see point 1 and 3 above)

Where-ever there is Development authority or Planning authority, there land use is guided by West Bengal Town Planing and Country (Planning  and Development) Act 1979 . The roles of Development Authority and Planning Authority is guided by this Act.

But for conversion of Land nature outside HIDCO project area, you have to apply to Collector/ BLLRO.

In other words, The Collector/BLLRO while considering conversion under section  4C of WB Land Reforms Act 1955, may also consult with Development and Town Planner under section 46 of West Bengal Town Planing and Country (Planning  and Development) Act 1979, if land falls under Planning area .  e.g. HIDCO is a  Developer and Planner in New Town.

HIDCO however does not have the power to give NOC for Land conversion.

NKDA is not the Development Authority of  New Town.  The name is a misnomer. It is only the Tax collecting and maintenance authority of New Town. New Town is not part of KMDA area (rather KMA), rather it is carved out of KMDA and given to Housing Board  (and finally to HIDCO).

For Plan area, NKDA gives NOC, if building height is more than 15 metres and land exceeds 1 Hectare. Then final Panchayat gives the Plan sanction. For less than that , NKDA has not role.

In Project area, NKDA only sanctions plan. Here there is no question of applying to BLLRO etc for conversion of land, if it is in project area.


If it is under HIDCO's project area, then BLLRO has no role to pay since land has already been converted. 

For MLUP or land use in Project area, website of HIDCO should be referred to for layout plan like Plot, Premises, road etc. Even in Project area of HIDCO some land has not been acquired.  AA I, AA II, AA III, CBD is in Project area. In Project area there is no Dag no. - only Plot no.  Dag no. is there only in Plan area (or beyond ). Plan area is an area which is beyond the Project area , which is adjacent to Project Area - where land has not been acquired, but since it is adjacent to Project area, HIDCO  decides the Land use.

Outside Plan area (which is the periphery of Project area) , HIDCO has no role to play.

MLUP (Master Land use Plan) in Project area is approved by Board is subject to change, but LUDCP (or Land Use & Development Control Plan) (Plan area) is final and is not flexible. It is a legal document.

In Kolkata Metropolitan Corpn area this power has been vested with KMC. Typically BLLRO issues mutation in rural areas and also approves conversion, if any , after mutation is done.

e.g. In Ward 1-100 of Kolkata, mutation certificate is issued by KMC.

For ward 101-144 it was issued by BLLRO, since they were not part of KMC.

Now in 1984, Kasba, Jadavpur and Behala were merged from BLLRO to KMC.

Joka was added in 2012.

But still the practice till date (July 2019) was to take mutation certificate from both BLLRO and KMC.

If a land is shown as Bastu or Shali in BLLRO records, then you cannot construct Building in that plot (in 101-144) unless he converts the land from Shali or Danga to Bastu , before submitting a proposed plan to KMC. In any case first mutation has to be done.

Now it has been decided in July 2019 that for land which is less than 3 cottah, mutation certificate from BLLRO is not required. Just KMC will do.

If an RTI comes to HIDCO, then it can only write to the applicant, whether it falls under Plan area or Project area.

But whether a land has been acquired or not (ie whether within project area or not) , LA collector is the final authority. Although HIDCO has information about the same.

There are :

# 18 Development Authority (e.g ADDA, SJDA, SSDA,KMDA) http://www.wburbanservices.gov.in, 


To sustain a consistent industrial growth spread over different areas of the State, the Government has set up various Development Authorities under the West Bengal Town & Country (Planning & Dev.) Act, 1979. The major functions of these Development Authorities are to:

Prepare and enforce Land Use and Development Control Plan (LUDCP)
Prescribe use of land within its area
Prepare development plan for the area
Execute area development schemes directly or through other agencies
Promote industries and housing and commercial complexes
Develop infrastructure like road, electricity, water, sewerage and drainage
Assist in creation of social infrastructure

Co-ordinate development activities of all departments and agencies of the State                       Government or local authorities operating within the Planning Area.

*** Unfortunately, multiple agencies are involved in the development of the same area, city. Lack of clear division of responsibilities often leads to a multiplicity of the role and over-lapping functions resulting in wastage of time and resources, thus duplication of work & long delay in project implementation. 

Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is the statutory planning and development authority for the Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA). KMA, also known as the Calcutta Metropolitan Area and Greater Kolkata, is the urban agglomeration of the city of Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the third most populous metropolitan area in India after Delhi and Mumbai. The area is administered by the KMDA. The area covers 72 cities, and 527 towns and villages. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata_metropolitan_area)

#     7 Municipal Corporation http://www.wburbanservices.gov.in

#  118 Municipalities or Urban Local body (under WB Municipality Act) http://www.wburbanservices.gov.in, 

#      9270 Panchayats (WB Panchayat Act 1973)  

So in Panchayat area, Collector will consult with Panchayat Pradhan.

What is the difference between municipal corporation , municipality and Panchayat in india?

The Constitutional (74th Amendment) Act, 1992 made the provisions relating to urban local governments (Nagarpalikas). Accordingly there are there are only three categories of urban local bodies.

Three tier structure:

• Municipal corporations

• Municipal councils

• Nagar panchayats

All of them are civic bodies and the functions of both of them are almost the same. They are all responsible, in their own way, to generate revenue through taxes and deliver services to the citizens. 

In some states, the state government declares a municipality as a municipal corporation once the population there reaches 3/10 lakhs - depending upon which State you are in.  In Gujarat it is 3 lakh.

Their members are elected by the citizens. Number of members depends on the size of the city. 

In municipal corporations, generally an IAS officer is appointed as its commissioner and thus the better governance comparatively while in municipalities, a state service officer (e.g. WBCS) is given the post of commissioner. 

Mayor is the first citizen in municipal corporations while the designation is Chairman in municipalities. 

1. Muncipal corporation or  Mahanagar Palika or local government body are the governing body for big towns like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata etc. They govern metropolitan cities with population more than 1 million. 

They have a wide range of functions , starting with basic infrastructure like Town roads , transport , street lighting , water, drainage , primary health care , education institution, sanitation , Town planning , regulation of land use etc. Often since municipalities depend to a large extent on state governments for funds , they fall abysmally short of fulfilling the basic civic needs of the area.

With increasing urbanisation and formation of bigger cities , the Corporations have come into being with more financial and administrative powers. The expectations from Municipal corporations are much more starting with a long term urban planning model , urban transportation , affordable housing , avoiding slums / making alternate arrangements , planning to meet major disasters etc

They collect property tax and fixed grant from state government. Mayor is the head of the corporation.

2. Municipality or Municipal Council or Nagar Palika or urban local body are for small or medium cities. They administer a city with population around 1 lakh or more. 

Generally small districts or large towns have municipality. Its functions are almost same as Municipal corporations. 

Like Municipal corporation, municipalities also get their income from tax levied on water, house, market, entertainment, vehicle and grants from state government.

3. Nagar Panchayat  or City Council are for small towns 

4. Very small village : Gram Panchayat

17. What are the officers under WBLR Act 1955 ?

i.  Collector - normally an IAS offer is appointed
ii. District Land and Land Reform Officer (DLLRO)
iii. Deputy Land and Land Reform Officer  
iv. Sub-District Land and Land Reform Officer (SDLLRO)
v.  Block Land and Land Reform Officer (BLLRO)
vi. Special Land and Land Revenue Officer Gr II
vii. Land Reform Officer - Gr II




https://www.myenterprisewb.in

 The main sources of new demand for land at present are from industry, housing, urban spaces and infrastructure. The provision of land for each of these purposes will require the conversion of land from other uses.

The factors to be considered when land is converted to any of these uses from other current use include the following :

1. The current use to which land is being put and the social costs of land conversion. Where land is agricultural, the factors to be considered are the number of crops grown on the land, irrigation facilities current levels of employment and income generation and the productive potential of land.

2. The impact of land conversion on the present users of the land, particularly when they belong to the working poor. Full and just compensation must be provided for any land that is converted to alternative purposes. This is a matter of the people’s entitlement.

3. The benefits from the alternative uses to which the land will be put, particularly with regard to employment and income generation.

4. Environmental considerations, particularly with respect to fragile or endangered ecological zones.

5. Identify vacant land first. As stated, the Govt. has initiated action to create an inventory of land that is not currently in use.

Enhance Agricultural Productivity

The demand for land for industrialization and urbanization creates a special responsibility with respect to agriculture for the Government. The State can afford to convert land to non agricultural purposes only if it is able to enhance agricultural productivity, and to implement an agricultural policy that will  

# protect and extend the achievements of the Stage with regard to rice production, thereby contributing to the food and nutrition security of the people of West Bengal.

# improve productivity in food production, thus releasing a significant proportion of cropped area in the Stage for the diversification of crop production, and, in particular, the production of oil seeds, pulses, fruit, vegetables and flowers and other non-food crops; l

# protect bio-diversity in West Bengal and develop agriculture and related activities – and, in general, plan land use – in an ecologically sustainable way; and

# ensure that the development of agriculture and related activities is a key instrument of employment-generation, income-enhancement and, in general, qualitative improvement in the living standards of the working people of the countryside.


See youtube channels :

1.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuSBmuaib1L-ZGmzIK9DkbQ
2.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq-j04W7f3j0LjqTeYtK5cg


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_and_towns_in_West_Bengal
https://wbxpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/WB-Town-Country-Act-1979.pdf

http://rcwb.in/rcwb/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/23.-Land-in-West-Bengal-at-a-Glance.pdf

https://www.theigc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Maitreesh-Ghatak-Agriculture-GW2012.pdf

https://wbxpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/WBLR-Manual.pdf

7-basic-real-estate-terminologies-to-know