Jungle Lore.. Corbett

Blend a little bit of adventure to the fun and entice yourselves to have a lovely time and get spellbound. Chart a new chapter at Corbett National Park which definitely is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. It is the oldest national park which was initially established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the Royal Bengal Tiger. Now known as Corbett National Park, it is spread across 521 sq.km and has a rich and healthy flora and fauna attracting tourists from near and far. It is the ultimate paradise for naturalists and wild life enthusiasts.

I had a recent chance to visit this alluring national park and realized that the jungles speak a language of their own. Jim Corbett was a hunter turned conservationist who was also an efficient writer and a naturalist. I was encouraged to undertake this journey after reading Jungle Lore a book by the man himself. He has written down his learning’s in the best possible way for young naturalists. Being a passionate reader I took a decision to try to read the jungle like a book just like Jim Corbett.

Once in Corbett, the gushing streams, lush green forests and constant jungle activity are sure to mesmerize and charm you. One can indulge in short trails into the buffer zone, watch the early birds and get lucky if they spot the mighty cat on the prowl. My experiences in these verdant forests are given below.

I was camping in lovely tents pitched for wildlife enthusiasts at Wildrift in Syaat one of the peripheral villages of Corbett. It has an ideal location close to the forests where people have chanced on seeing wildlife right inside the premises. I took a chance to walk down this forest lane with a few friends and the first promising sighting we had was that of a Black Naped Hare. With renewed enthusiasm we continued our venture, coming across stupefying varieties of orchids in full bloom on the massive tree trunks. We also came across a rich variety of birds and had the immense pleasure of observing the changeable hawk eagle perch on a tree beside us and take its stance for almost an hour. On our journey back to campsite it was almost nightfall when we realized that there were langoor alarm calls right behind us, which indicated that a predator was on the prowl. Given the rocky territory we were in, it was certain that there was a leopard movement. With sheer excitement we seated ourselves on the ground, bracing ourselves to try and take a glimpse of this magnificent creature. There was absolute silence, we felt as if we could hear our heartbeats from a mile away, because of the frantic pace they were beating in. Then there were alarm calls given by the peacock which was closer to where we were now seated, it was now certain that the leopard was taking the same route through the valley which we had taken a little while ago. There was sheer adrenaline rush and anticipation in the air for the sighting of the stealthy leopard. We were waiting patiently in darkness with absolute silence when out of nowhere there was an ear piercing bark from the barking deer right behind us making us all jump from our skins. Well that was enough of an adventure for a day, since were already spotted so we had to make our way back to campsite.

The following day I had the chance to take a walk into the enchanting forest areas of Kaladhungi which still holds its charm from the time Jim Corbett himself strolled it. I chanced upon fresh pugmarks along the water front, on analysis it turned out to be those of an adult tigress. It was a pleasant welcome indeed, the thought itself was exhilarating, that the mighty beast had walked the same path a little while ago. Unfortunately I didn’t come across this beauty during my walk through the forest, but I was satisfied with the experience that it rendered.

It was truly amazing to wake up with the jungle and venture into the virgin forests. With just the wind to disturb me and the jungle sounds to keep me accompanied. I had no worry and no rush, I was extremely at peace enjoying the sights and sounds. It was wonderful to watch the butterflies animatedly sail through the air and feed from the flowers or do mud-puddling. The constantly fluttering birds, with various calls and exotic colors had me captivated, so much so that I used to lose track of time. I came across various species of birds like the laughing thrushes, bee-eaters, wood peckers, fly catchers, owls and exotics like the Great Pied Hornbill, Khalij Pheasant and Crested Kingfisher while walking upstream. The journey through the forest had me constantly crossing streams and observing the life near the riverbed. With a cacophony of sounds coming to my ears from the busy bodied birds. The jungle was alive and pulsating having me captivated and entranced. There were signs of predator territory as there were bony remains of cattle carcass and droppings of herbivores.

I was even lucky to have visited the elephant belt of Sitabani, a land which has its roots in the rich Indian mythology where it is said that Lord Ram had come for vanvas with his dutiful wife Sita. I had to wade through the waters of the entrancing Dabka River to reach the banks of the Sitabani forest on the other end. The weather was lovely with clear blue skies, crystal clear waters and the dense green forests waiting to be explored. When I had just crossed the Dabka I was greeted by the shrieks of the Great-Pied Hornbill, definitely a treat to the eyes. The jungle itself was mesmerizing and captivating, my resting point was at the temple of Luv and Kush, which has a natural spring on its side. I reached here as soon as the day began loosing its light, the source of light in this dark forest at night were the fireflies which came around in millions as if in festivity. I was lulled to sleep in the big hall of the temple while watching the game of the fireflies.

With this amazing little experience in Corbett I realized that there is more to observe in nature and appreciate its wonders rather then betting on sighting of a tiger while on a safari. These forests of Corbett are, ‘definitely a Pandora’s Box waiting to be opened’.