A Safari Day at Jim Corbett National Park 1/2
Our gate was Garjiya.
We were hopeful of seeing a tiger. Our driver and ranger were quieter. Perhaps more determined than us to spot the tiger I thought. Frankly all the previous Safari trips we had not been able to spot a tiger. So we were low key desperate to spot one. We had asked a lady at the resort about tigers here. She said that at Ranthambore they know where the tigers are. Here in Corbett, we don’t. Of course you don’t, it’s almost like casually entering New Delhi and saying show me a tiger. The place is huge.
We progressed with our journey after routine enquiries with the ranger and driver about recent sightings, we started quizzing the ranger about Corbett. We asked him about the area. He mentioned that the total area of Corbett is almost 1300 sq km and which is as big as Delhi! I was so stunned by the analogy that he drew.
When we had been driving to the resort in the early afternoon we had crossed a bridge over a water body. The water body had so many Ruddy Shelducks. We had only spotted 3-4 in Ranthambore gate number three but here there were atleast a hundred if not more. They are typical winter visitors who cross the Himalayas from Central Asia and Tibet to seek suitable wintering habitats. Here they find ample food, suitable habitat for resting, feeding and breeding. Since Jim Corbett National Park is a protected area, it provides a secure haven against hunting and habitat destruction. I couldn’t have been happier to see them.
So, on our drive up further, we spotted the roads lined with beautiful trees. What caught my eye were the big silverish red and green mottled leaves. Some of them full of holes. Such tall trees and big leaves they looked majestic and Royal. On spotting the same trees inside the gate I asked the ranger about them. He told me that they were Teak trees. We spotted haldoo trees also which were white in colour. Then we spotted many Sal trees. Sal trees are natural growth of this region while the Teak trees are a result of plantation.
A certain tree caught my eye. It was distinct and seemed to have red currants on it, As I soon discovered these trees turned out to be Rohni trees. They were the elephants’ favourite. Back in the days people used to make natural sindoor out of its red flowers/fruits.
Original Photograph © Hansa Sinha
We went up and down on the bumpy terrain of the forest while spotting some of the regulars like Parakeets, a few Jungle Babblers, a Flameback Woodpecker, a couple of Brown-headed Barbets perched comfortably in the serene jungle. We heard a swift whistling sound which turned out to be a Black-headed Oriole. Couldn’t spot it but the sound kept me amused for some time.
The jungle was full of termite hills. Termites are considered to be the natural decomposers of the forest. Many enveloped small trees and many stood proudly alone as if with the satisfaction of a job well done. Imposing edifices.
We came across spotted deers. As always nimble and quick on their feet. Hopping away from us. I think I waved out to one and she took that as a sign of satan himself and ran out scared. I pursed my lips at its inability to gauge my friendly advances and looked ahead vaguely as our jeep bumped ahead. There were thin and tiny streams of water lined/surrounded by pebbles. When it rains in the monsoon, the mountains and forests store the water and later in the year it is through such tiny streams that they release it. How intelligent and thoughtful. Such caregivers our forests. There are tree branches lowering down on such creeks. Such branches make a perfect spot for a quick dive into the water. Not so much for humans or tigers but certainly for the common kingfisher that I found perched on one such branch. We were desperate to see a tiger but none were around. We saw pug marks which were fresh. We saw marks evidencing that 4-5 of them had sat down on the tracks before venturing inside the deep shrubs. After a wait for some time, we went ahead into the jungle. Soon we entered an open field. There was an unmistakable smell and a sizzling and crackling sound. You guessed it, forest fire. I was alarmed. I even pictured our jeep fighting the fire and making a heroic escape or the helicopters making way to us as our paths were trapped. But such misadventures were certainly and thankfully not the flavour of the day.
To be contd…
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