This is first time, writing a tour report. A group of jungle lovers, you guys call me as ...
Jim Corbette National Park-2009, 2010 and 2011…. Last year May, WildAllure made 2 Jungles… Pench Tiger Reserve and another one was “The Land” of Tigers Tadoba Andhery Tiger Reserve.
Jim Corbette National Park-2009, 2010 and 2011…. Last year May, WildAllure made 2 Jungles… Pench Tiger Reserve and another one was “The Land” of Tigers Tadoba Andhery Tiger Reserve.
And this
year team members are determine that, Wildallure should explore a new Jungle, the name, Nagzira was
sounded good while we are in a group discussion. Every jungle tour needs a very
well coordination with the booking of Jungle Safaries, Forest Rest House
booking and with the jungle rules. Planned our trip, keeping mind that,
Wednesday is a holiday in Nagzira.
17th
May, Saturday, WildAllure moved on. Debtapas (Ziru) reached Howrah station at evening and got a call
from Champa that she was waiting at platform no. 22. It was raining
heavily. Sumanta came with his tough and
disgusting “dari baba” look. He was all wet. Somnath da, Boudi and Subhamoy da
reached around 19.30 hrs. We had to catch Mumbai Mail, scheduled at 20.15hs. On
the same day, Subhankar (Jet) started his long and lonely journey from Puri, our
rendezvous was Gondia Station.
There was
nothing to remember on train, only Ziru lost our dinner and then found that from
coah warden. He found a “thonga” and kept that in his locker, that “thonga” was
full of 3 packs mixed nodules and 3 packs chicken Manchurian. Thank God, that
was not lost. The train was on time, we
reached Gondia Station at 12.15 hrs. but Subhankar’s train was running late by
2 hrs. A Scorpio was waiting for Wildallure. We did not waste time. There was a Punjabi Dhaba, near by the
station, we had taken our lunch there, foods were delicious, we ate whatever we
cloud and packed the rest for Subhankar(Jet, sorry for that “Bacha-Kucha”
foos). He reached around 2.30hrs and we started towards Pitajari Gate.
The Main Road in Forest: Taken by Subhankar
Watch Tower in front of Madhukunj: Photo curtsy to Subhamoy da
Latakunj: Framed by Subhamoy da
In canteen,
normal food is available, roti, rice, dal makhani, egg kari etc etc. During our
staying, we did not face any problem with the food. Solar electricity is
available to some extent, but most of the nights, there was a dead fan hanging
from the wall and all of us were sitting outside the room despite knowing that the
Leopard had entered at the Campus, his presence could be felt.
We reached
Nagzira on Saturday evening and from Sunday morning, our safari was going to be
start. In between, we can share some stories about Nagzira. This wildlife
sanctuary is located in Gondia district, in the state of Maharastra, nearest
city is Nagpur. Around 116 Sq.Km. area has been announced for this park, and in
2012 it has been included in Tiger Project. The total Jungle is divided into 3
zones, Zone A, Zone B and Zone C or New Nagzira. Right now, Dendu, son of male
tiger Rastropati, is the King of this
forest.There is a story behind the name Dendu,
when he was a lil cub, his tail was ran over by a Gypsy. He grew up and
showed his anger all time to the Safari Gypsies, he was named Dangerous, which
one was nicked “Dendu” later on. The
queen is A-Mark, 11 yrs old tigress and the mother of Jay and Veru. Both the
cubs are male and 3 yrs old in age, separated from their mother on last
February. Veru was sighted last time on March, while he, with his brother,
killed a bison. From then there was no news about Veru, it is assumed that may
be in a territorial fight, Veru lost to his father and went somewhere else or
killed. Now Jay, bold and handsome, is the prince of the jungle. There is
another tigress, Alfa, is roaming with her 3 six month old cubs, till now she
is searching a safe zone for her cubs. When we reached there, the tiger
sighting was on with jay and A-Mark. In New Nagzira, Dendu’s sighting was on.
Alfa (with her cubs) was never sighted by the tourists, though her presence was
recorded by the Forest Authorities. Her pug marks, followed by lil ones were
noticed many times by the guards/ tourists. Earlier, Alfa was present at Old
Nagzira, now she shifted herself, with hers cubs to New Nagzira. Actually she
felt some danger from Jay. Till now this, we will explore some exciting news
later on.
Sunday
Morning, 6.00 hrs, we were excited about our first safari in this forest. We
got the B zone as our rout. We were happy with the B zone, last evening A-Mark
was sighted in B zone. The jungle was dry and a massively different from the
northern indian forests, greens are dull, the yellow and grey over powered, it
has a rough and tough look, its beauty is its boldness. Birds were everywhere,
their melodious song created a rhythm in the silent forest. First time we
sighted Dhole, the Indian Wild Dogs. Sighting them was an experience, they came
to drink some water in the artificial water holes, made for the wild animals in
the forest, they were in a group of 12/15 in numbers. Took some rest, gave some
look and then returned on their own way. Suddenly we heard some calls, our
gypsy rushed towards the sound. Many other ones were waiting there, some guys
pointed towards a bush, saying tiger…tiger. But we could not see any tiger.
Then, Ziru and Subhamoy da noticed some movement far away. Yes, it was a tiger. A-Mark was sitting
there, woke up and moved on towards dense. They saw her from the back side, only
for a fraction of second. Not upto the satisfactory level, but they saw her and so we did. We
returned at 11.00 hrs to our campus, that was the closing time for morning
safari. Safari was exciting.
Red Wattled Lapwing
Sambar Deer
Indian Wild Dog
Indian Wild Dog
The temperature
was around 50 degree C, weather was too dry to protect our skin. We took some
rest and got ready again at 15.00hrs for our afternoon safari. This time we got
the A zone. We went at the far end of zone A, towards Nagzira Lake. The beauty
of the forest was non ignorable, hills and lake creates the magical beauty.
While returning, the light was low, we took a turn as the road curved and Somnath
da whispered “Leopard”…. And then “another one…oh my God another one”… our
driver Guddu finished “Sab, aur ek”…. We experienced 4 Leopards, crossed the
road. They were taking rest on the roads and we reached there on time, seeing
us they were disturbed and left the place as soon as possible. Believe me, they
were too fast to capture. Subhamoy da and Subhankar managed some snaps from
which we can prove that we saw Leopards during that jurney. No tress of Jay or
his mother. Just near the campus, we informed that A-Mark was resting on
water-hole named “Buddha-Buddhi”. We rushed there, but a minute late, The
Majesty left that place before we reachL.
We saw the water hole and no sign of tigers as far we could see. Sunday
was not bad, we experienced leopards, and that was special, because before this we
never experienced them.
Indian Gaur
Indian Peafowl
Indian Pitta:Navrang
Indian Wild Dog
Indian Wild Dog
Solar power
failed at around 21.00 hrs, we had our dinner with the help of torch light. At
canteen we got the bad news that, Jay left this area and went to New-Nagzira to
build his own territory, and He was sighted there with his father. A group was
there, took some snaps.One of them displayed all the pics in his camera. Just
in front of our cottage Madhukunj, there was a watch tower. We enjoyed the dark
beauty of Nagzira Lake. With the torch, we saw some deer were around us,
moving, loitering, and taking rest.
“A-Mark… the
tigress …why she is named A-Mark?” probably Subhankar asked. Well the answer is
this tigress has a “A” mark on her rear right leg. Her natural black stripes
made this mark on her leg naturally, this is unique. And she named A-Mark. She
has a sister, named “A-Mark-II”, she has a “A” mark on her body also. But in
her case “A” mark is placed on front left leg. Right now where she is nobody
knows.It was mid-night, and Subhankar pushed Ziru, made him awake…."Listen, there is a Leopard call"….where ..??... listen..listen… yes ..it was… in our Campus ?.... oh my God… is that door closed ?... just close the door first …” Subhamoy da closed that. Searching with torch was in vain. Sleep was over. Rest of the night they were sitting on chairs, placed on Verandha.
Monday
morning, all of us ready for safari. This time we got the B zone again. We got
the Indian Pitta, Navrong in Hindi, a wonderful bird to watch. Indian Roller
gave some look and other birds made the safari. No tress of A-Mark. And somehow
we felt that the jungle was sad. There was no news of any movement, there was
no calling. May be its for Jay, he left the place. We returned canteen early,
Sun was too ruthless to us. We got the news, a gang of Wild Dogs just killed 3
spotted deer in the grass land, behind our canteen. Just ran over there. There
was nothing, no dogs, no deers, even not a single bone of deer. The time was
laughing to us, again we were late.
Indian Roller
Indian Roller
Rufous Treepe
Bhraminy Starling
Black Hooded Oriole
Common King Fisher
Debtapas and Sumanta: In Action: Curtsy to Subhamoy da
We were
having some snacks just outside the canteen, another shocking news reached. A
group went to New Nagzira at morning. They witnessed a fight between Jay and
Dendu. We saw the video they captured; clearly it was a territorial fight
between father and son. At the end, Jay was lying down and Dendu was moving
around him and roaring. It is known that in a fight, if one tiger is lying down
and other one is moving and roaring that means he is saying “It is my
territory, you get lost from here”. And this had to happen, Alfa was there, so
Dendu cannot take any risk, he wants to secure them first, and for that he can
do anything. Jay was lost to his father, if he is claver, he will leave that
place, will move out somewhere else. Otherwise he will be killed in hand of his
own father. Unfortunately Nagzira is a small zone and the King is Dendu right
now. A tough time is waiting for Jay in future. This is the Nature.
Champa Rani For-Forani
Rupa: She served a long time for the forest, now she is old
The electricity was off, the room turned into Blast Furness. This night, Ziru told, he had to sleep. Subhamoy da was in the room, Subhankar and he put their beds at Varandha. Forgot about the Leopard, they just knew that they had to sleep well, basss. The sleep was sound ( they got the calls from the Leopard, he made his presence, they felt that. He entered at our campus and patrolled the area.)
Tuesday morning. Only 3 safaris were left. Our one gypsy got the A Zone and other one took the B zone. We were desperate. It was decided that all of us will try to tress A Mark and we will inform each other at pre-determined time. So our “vag-daur” was started. Yesterday evening, we were informed that, the Lady was sighted for 3 hrs at water hole 7, A Zone. So we went there, if she returned. But no… She didn’t. Wild dogs were around water hole no 7. Where the dogs were present, tiger would never come to that place. Surely she moved around somewhere. Other gypsy also failed to tress A Mark. Only a wild boar could be remembered throughout our that safari.
We were
irritated. Tour was coming to its end and we missed every opportunity of
sighting tigers. The good news came to the canteen. One group went to Zone C
and while returning, the noticed Jay’s Pug marks on the road side. Hope, He was
returning to his own land.
At the break
time, we enjoyed the dance of Asian Flycatcher, Black napped Monarch gave some
poses. A herd of deer was waiting for us, when we would come and they could
gave some jumping poses!!! … They were some refreshments to us in that sad
mood.
Asian Paradise Flycatcher: Immature Male
The Black Napped Monarch: Juv.
Asian Paradise Flycatcher: Immature Male
After noon
safari. We separated in A and B zone. The formula was same like morning safari. Run…run and run… we gave all the efforts to A
Mark. But it is seriously very very tough to tress a tiger if he/ she want to
be in disguised. A Mark was last sighted yesterday, from then she vanished, no
movement and no news. We got a herd of Neel Gai, but they were very shy and
denied to give pose in front of camera. We returned, our other gypsy enjoyed
two Leopards, light was low and Subhankar and Sumanta failed to take snaps this time :( .
The Last
night in the forest. Till now no tiger sighting, but we were happy with the
Wild dogs and Leopards. We were sitting at the canteen, enjoying stories from
Guddu, Mannu and Iswar. Mannu made another debut, if A Mark is not carrying;
she might be in search of Dendu and might be moved towards the New Nagzira. It
is also possible. Seriously we were at Nagzira , when the whole Jungle was
suffering from a unstable period. Every tigers were changing their position at
every moment. It would be better to be settled down as soon as possible for
the shack of wildlife of this jungle.
Right then a gypsy entered at the canteen,
they were late enough. It was almost 19.15hrs. And the exciting news reached. They
went to zone C. They sighted nothing there. What a Bad luck to them. No Dendu,
no Alfa and no Jay. While returning to canteen, at the evening they got the
Prince of the forest. Jay was walking in front of them, he was returning to the
Old Nagzira from new one. They could not overtake him, that is the rule, never
you can disturb them, this is their home. They enjoyed the cat walk for almost
45mins and then Jay moved from the road and entered to the forest. What a luck
to them !!! … They were heavily late by the time. They reached canteen around
17.15hrs but nothing to do. We enjoyed all the snaps they had taken and were
happy with the news that, Jay returned to his den …. The sighting will be on
from tomorrow …. And tomorrow, the morning safari would be going as our last our
last safari at Nagzira. Hope for the best.
Wednesday,
5.45hrs.Somnath da talked to Ranger and told him that it would going to be our last
safari and till now no tiger sighting. And
both the gypsies got B Zone. Actually surroundings Nilay, Jay’s favourite spot,
and that is under B-zone. We tried our best, Iswar and Mannu were their best
level in searching of Jay and that our bad-luck. A-Mark and Jay were never
sighted throughout our tour. But we got the news that, Jay entered at his own
den, a forest guard saw him. Actually he was tired, he travelled around 30km in
one night, and rest was badly needed to him. Dhole were sighted again, this
time they killed a Sambar Deer. We missed the hunting but abled to watch them
with their kill. That was a unique experience.
Crested Hawk Eagle
Crested Hawk Eagle
Crested Hawk Eagle
We returned
to Canteen area. Tour was finished. In nagzira, all the guides and drivers knew
us, all of them were unhappy, they thought, it was their fault that they failed
to make that most wanted situation “Tiger Sighting”.But we know this could
happen at any time at any forest. These are not in our hand, it is the Nature
at its best.
It was adieu
time. We reached Pitajari Gate around 17.30hrs and rushed to Gondia at
19.15hrs. Ahemadabad Mail was on time and arrived at 20.00hrs. Dinner was not disgusting
but we had to take.
Got the call
from Mannu, Jay was sighted; he came out at evening and gave the sighting on
main road, then walked to the water hole and then returned. Everybody was
happy.
We reached
Kolkata, joined our office, but could not forget about the tour. It is only to
me, somehow, methinks, this tour was incomplete and it has to be complete as
soon as possible.
Ziru: captured by Sybhamoy da
3 day ago
got the news…"Sirji, barish chalu, jungle closed. Sir, Dendu returned to Old
Nagzira, and you know, he came with Alfa and with her cubs. Both of them were
sighted. A-mark was sighted also. Nagzira is full on. Sirji, come again bye"…
Iswar cut the phone. What a news, the King returned and with his full family.
Now A-Mark is also going to be very happy. Old Nagzira is going to be for them.
But what would be happen to Jay ? Again he is in danger. For his safety, he has
to move out again. May be he will shift again to New Nagzira.
Jungle is
closed right now and will open again in October. We are sure during this six
month, A-Mark will be pregnant. In October we will receive a call from Iswar/ Mannu/ Guddu, "Sirji, A-Mark is carrying and Alfa is giving sighting with her cubs. Dendu is
charging the gypsies. Jay is happy in New-Nagzira. When you guys are coming?"
Yes, we have
to go. Only listening the stories and enjoying the images of Alfa, Dendu,
A-mark and Jay cannot be the end of this
journey. We have to go back to Nagzira again. Yes, we are coming as soon as
possible……..
Hope, our
next line will be. "Yes, Dendu charged our gypsy, A-mark was sighted, Alfa and
her cubs were happily roaming in the forest…. Cheers …." ........WildAllure.........
To be Continued ………