Alibag

History

Alibag was founded in the 17th century by the Admiral of the Maratha Navy, Kanhoji Angre. Alibag and its surrounding villages are the historic hinterlands of the Bene Israel Jews. According to Indian Jewish historian Esther David, Jews arrived in the region over 2000 years ago, escaping persecution from the Roman Empire, when their ship wrecked here. As they got into the business of oil-pressing and plantations, continued practising Sabbath, and took holidays on Saturday, they came to be known as Shanivar-Telis ('Saturday–Oilpeople'). There is a synagogue named Magen Aboth Synagogue in the "Israel Alley" area of the town.

Geography

Alibag is located about 120 km south of Mumbai, at . The average elevation is 0 metres. The district government offices are located along the seacoast road.

Most-observed species

• Indian Pond-Heron

  Ardeola grayii (Sykes, 1832) · Aves
  807
• White-throated Kingfisher

  Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  762
• House Crow

  Corvus splendens Vieillot, 1817 · Aves
  710
• Green Bee-eater

  Merops orientalis Latham, 1801 · Aves
  660
• Large-billed Crow

  Corvus macrorhynchos Wagler, 1827 · Aves
  636
• Asian Koel

  Eudynamys scolopaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  557
• Black Kite

  Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) · Aves
  555
• Ruddy Turnstone

  Arenaria interpres (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  554