Picturesque Pench of Maharashtra

Until now Wonderland was only in my dreams and in television and movie screens. My visit to the Pench Tiger Reserve taught me to believe in dreams. The fact that 'WONDERLAND' does exist is now known to me.

It was a sudden decision that we took to visit Pench. A team of conservationists who happen to be my Facebook friends invited me and my husband to share a lifetime experience with them. We, both, passionate forest lovers could not put down the offer.With a 'do it now' motto, we booked our travel tickets (Kolkata to Nagpur by Howrah-CSTM express  and return from Nagpur back to Kolkata in Indigo flight) a month earlier. Hotel had been booked by our friends so it was not a headache.

An ardent lover of forests and wildlife, my joys knew no bounds. However, too much rejoicement is not in my luck and I fell sick with high temperature on the week of our proposed journey. But detemined I was to go. I vented out all my mental strength on a quick recovery and there I was sitting beside the window of the train whistling music, a perfect image of happiness.

Our train late by almost an hour had given us the assurance of reaching Nagpur well beyond its arrival time of 8:20am (it was a 17 hours journey from Kolkata to Nagpur). So, there we were drinking hot cuppa in the train in the morning,when I , by God's grace had a sudden curiosity about our train's whereabouts. What a shock we got when the  chaiwala answered : Ab to Nagpur mein train ghus raha hai (the train is entering the Nagpur station). Well on time, our train dear had ensured that we were not late for our meet with the tigers. Quickly we got down at Nagpur. Our newly found Facebook  friends  who were also travelling with us on the same train and with whom we were meeting for the first time in person were also there . Our small little digital camera seemed to shy away from the professional cameras these wildlife photographers were carrying.

With a car booked by our friends we had no problem in starting our grand journey to the forest. It took an hour and a half's drive from the city of Nagpur to the lush green forests of Pench. Very soon, we reached the entry gate to the Pench Tiger Reserve.

I quickly went through the rules and regulations signboard while the driver entered his signature in the registry list of the reserve as per the directions of the forest guards. I read how alcohol and tobacco consumption is not allowed in the forests.I really pitied those who do. With the option of drinking in the beauty of Nature and inhaling the forest air, which fool would go for other options?

The barricade was opened by the guards and there we entered the mysterious,amazing world of Mother Nature. Mind you, the mobile connectivity is very poor inside the reserve so for all those of you who have worrying mamas and papas at home like mine, let them know about our whereabouts as long as the your mobile phones tower high.

Soon,we were journeying along forested roads joking about tigers crossing our way. We reached the forest department guest house very soon where we met our remaining friends (all from Facebook). Shaking hands and smiling big is what followed for a couple of minutes. We were shown our way into cosy little cottages . The inside was very pretty but with a fallen electricity pole, electricity was not available. However,the temperature being pretty cool, electricity was not a problem. With hungry tummies, we went into the canteen to satisfy ourselves with delicious poha for breakfast.

Now was the time to be serious. The main purpose for our visit, a meeting with the forest department officials to ensure the conservation of the forest ecosystem was now about to be fulfilled. A solar power lit auditorium was opened for the meeting. The Director of Forests, the Assistant Conservator of Forests, the Range Officers and the forest guards were all there. We represented the members of Van Saarthi, a group of people representing the common man of India. The interaction that followed brought out a number of important issues regarding the conservation of forests. We came to know about the needs and desires of the forest guards who risk their lives to save the wild inhabitants of the forest. A promise was made to try to satisfy their requirements so that they could be motivated to serve the forest with greater dedication and love.

After the meeting came the time for 'adda'. With a troupe of 6 Bengalis in the Van Saarthi team, a grand adda could not be missed. And what a venue for our adda. Wooden benches surrounding a giant tree in the midst of the forest with melodius 'bird music' in the background. Tigers, leopards, snakes, poachers were our topics of discussion.

Soon , unable to withstand the lure of the wild we were out for a nature walk along the main road. We got introduced to each other in the process. It is very easy to connect to strangers when they are on the same mission as you. An evening safari was now our necessity. A  jeep and car ready to carry us deep into the 'wonderland, was waiting for us. We hopped into our vehicles and I clutched my husband's arms in excitement of the journey.

The road flanked on both sides with lush, green curtains of forest trees was a treat to our eyes. Far away from the madding crowds of our cities, our hearts found solace in the cradle of Mother Nature. Soon the metalled road gave way to unmetalled road and the forest became even more dense and mystifying. A herd of spotted deer created a picturesque view for our inqusitive eyes.

 A couple of sambars gracefully made their way among the tall trees of the jungle. The occasional call of India's National Bird , the peacock, filled the air.

All of a sudden we entered a clearing occypying a vast area surrounded by dense forests on all sides and the Pench river flowing by. And what a sight it was! The floor was a vast carpet of dense green grass. The river was beautifully blue with small green and yellow islands dotting it. The sky was studded with fluffy clouds and with the sun playing hide and seek in between the clouds, magical colors were created over the land. The fresh breeze blowing by ruffled our hairs with its healing touch. Right from childhood, I have had dreams of one day opening a door and stepping into wonderland. Didn't know it would happen in my lifetime. My inspiration to live was right in front of me. We all treaded up a small hill and there went 'click,click,click'. All camera shutters opened and closed vigorously in their attempt to catch this unbelievable sight. Man and his creations were belittled in the presence of awesomeness of Nature. Everyone exclaimed in delight and what a serene look hovered on all faces present there.

However, at the back of every mind out there hovered a worrying thought. How long would Nature be able to sustain itself before mankind's ever growing greeds? Would these pristine places which give ultimate peace to a tired soul last any longer? Belive me, standing before such a grand creation of Nature, you feel a sense of extreme loss. The thought that our actions are the very reason of destruction will fill you with immense guilt.

It was as if time stood still for us. Happiness and peace were all around us. No one felt like returning back. But then we had to move. A lot of responsibility was on us to carry the voices of the jungle to our friends back home. So, half-heartedly we rode back. Very soon a tiny little turtle cheered us up. Detected on the road it was picked up by our veterinarian friend and became the star of the show. Everyone admired its cuteness. The little thing was put down safely and we moved on. 

  

Next we went to the dam on the Pench river. Dusk was falling in enhancing the beauty of the place.

 A perfect spot for our evening adda, we had a great evening out there. On our way back, we had a thrilling experience of the forest at night. With only the car headlights lighting the way, the darkness all around seemed all engulfing. An Indian gaur was suddenly spotted grazing on the jungle grass. With eyes and ears cocked open for any movement in the wilderness around us, we moved on in our way.

We reached our hotel soon. Even though we had our bookings in the Forest Department Guest House, the shortage of current there made us take a hasty decision to spend the night at the MTDC Resort instead. The forest Dept. Guest House cottage came at the rate of Rs. 500 per night for a double bedroom cottage while the MTDC Resort charged Rs. 1400/- for Non- AC double bedroom room.

MTDC Resort

A grand dinner under the trees followed where we shared each others' views and ideas on what we learned from our Pench trip.

 Very soon, with droopy, heavy eyelids we went into our sweet world of dreams.

Next morning, our safari was planned at 6:30am. We hurried up from bed and with a hot cup of tea our eyes widened enough to experience the serene beauty of the forest . We all with expectations set high after yesterday soon started on our jungle safari. This time we followed an entirely different route. The way was equally enchanting as the last time. After some time, we reached a spot where we were directed to get out of our vehicles and walk down a path towards a watch tower. With heads turning in all directions captivatng the mood of the jungle in our eyes, we treaded on till we reached a rocky spot in the midst of the jungle with a two storey wooden watch tower, a small brook running in between the rocks, a pretty wodden bridge running over the brook and a cave with a shivling ( temple of Lord Shiva) in it. We all felt drawn to this bewitching spot and immediately started exploring the place. The experience was purely blissful.

After satisfying ourselves to the core, we decided to get back to our hotel as we had a flight to catch in the evening. After our final packing, we awaited the arrival of vehicles to carry us to the airport.Very soon, with heavy hearts we left the pictorial Pench and were on our way to the airport. We stopped midway to have our lunch. It was a great team we all made. I felt proud to be in the company of our forest conservationist friends. People who have dedicated so much of their time to execute the noble mission of wildlife and nature conservation . We decided to carry out their message to those sitting idly at home unaware of the impending dangers that the loss of forests will bring to our well being and survival. 

Last but not the least, I would like to thank Facebook for connecting me to my newly found friends and my new mission in life.Without Facebook's help it was very difficult for a layman like me to get in touch with these weathered conservatonists. 

I am sure that more and more people would join Van Saarthi and the movement would spread its wings and  fly higher in the days to come.