National Park – Desa Forest

Jim Corbett National park is one of the oldest national parks in India incorporated before independence and named after well-known author and naturalist, Jim Corbett. It is situated near the town of Ramnagar of Uttarakhand state. To mention, it is also part of the Project Tiger initiative started by late pm Indira Gandhi.

In 2005 BNHS arranged a six days nature study camp. As a member of BNHS, I participated in the camp and I was amongst 30 members who participated in the camp. We reached Delhi first and boarded Ramnagar express train to reach Ramnagar city next morning which is bordering the Jim Corbett national forest. We stayed in a holiday camp on the bank of Ramganga river which is a tributary of river Ganga. It was a beautiful location is the first sight we admired once reaching the place. The first day we had a nature trek on the periphery of the park where we studied its vegetation.

The next day we left deep inside the park in six Gypsys to a place is called Dhikala which is around 50km the park. There were a forest guest house and the range office. It was a privilege to get accommodation there as we booked well in advance (at least six months before) and preference was given for wildlife studies purposes only. Thanks to BNHS, an important organization that involves conservation activity. I was fortunate to be there as a participant. Dhikhala area is a vast expanse of grassland with several square km on the bank of Ramganga river. Elephant safari and jeep safari are conducted here for limited people. Simply I can say it is Aden of India. For wildlife viewing, we need not go out, simply sitting on the benches kept facing riverfront within the compound of the guesthouse we could see thousands of deers, sambar deers and other animals grazing on dry river bed below. Elephants in groups were coming out from the deeply wooded hillocks of the other side of the riverbank to eat or for water to drink. I spent my spare time observing wildlife throughout the day. I had never seen such heaven before. After reaching this place we took rest at noon. After lunch our first safari started at 3.30 pm. We were sent in five jeeps with forest guides. Each jeep left in different routes as directed by forest officials. First I would like to mention the forest here. Sal trees are in the majority. They are straight towering trees. The sunlight never reaches the bottom floor. The forest is without any bushes, we could see only dry leaves on the ground. We could see miles together in the forest. Wildlife could be seen clearly in distance. The beauty of the forest is beyond explanation. This forest is different from the rain forest. Being in the foothills of Himalaya, this evergreen sal forest is astounding. Aforementioned observation while entering the deep forest. As our jeeps started to come in near grassland and ravine area small thick bushes were found adjacent to vast grasslands. In the grassland we baffled to see spotted deers grazing in thousands while they move or run it was like a wave. Surprisingly here we found a high concentration of big cat that is tigers. They were hiding in the low thick bushes on the side of vast grassland. It is an ideal place to hide and to seek cover from the scorching heat of the sun. We saw many tigers who crossed our path within a few km journey on the jungle path. Seeing a tiger in its natural habitats is a lifetime experience for any nature lovers. Elephants were in large numbers grazing on grassland without bothering the visitors. When we returned to the camp, different groups had different experiences since they had ventured different parts of the forest. At the tea session everyone shared what they saw, what they caught in their cameras. Some groups were lucky to see a tiger with cubs and some with a large group of elephants, sloth bears, etc. Each showed and shared their unforgettable experience. Even though they saw mammals like antelopes, deers, sambar deers, giant monitor lizards which are common and found roaming just around the forest complex like street dogs, it was not a subject of interest at all because members wanted to see a glimpse of the tiger. But I enjoyed seeing countless sambar deers, barking deers and giant wild pigs aka big wild boars wandering near the canteen for food waste disposed of and taking shelter around the elephant shed of the forest department. I spent most of the spare time observing the behavior of these animals that choose to live very close to humans or near office guest house surroundings. I realized the exact reason for deers finding a haven in the elephant shed near bushes since many tigers have made their territory very close to the complex as pray base is very high and hunting is rather easy. These deers feel guest houses complex is more secure as tigers avoid human habitation and so they shy away from or will not hunt near human presence. Deers take this advantage particularly those that have territory near range office.

The next morning safari we saw a tiger hunting a deer barely 200 meters from our guest house and also explored a different part of the forest. Tigers, elephants, countless deers, an experience that I will keep in my heart till the end of my life. While returning to the lunch break, a single giant elephant started to chase us as we were in the safe distance and since it was chasing the jeep, the driver and the guide did not panic instead raised the speed of jeep as the muddy road was smooth. As the jeep picked up speed, the elephant got exhausted and it slowed down and eventually left and we reached back safely. Again during lunch gatherings like the previous day, all shared their stories. Everyone was excited to know what others encountered. Some were lucky to see tigers multiple times, some saw huge elephant herds having more than 150. I enjoyed the beauty of Jim Corbett in every aspect and at every angle. I was more than happy to see the pristine Sal forest whose beauty was second to none. I had no camera at that time so I am not having any pictures of majestic big cats that we saw at close quarters in their natural habitat. These tigers once roamed every village in India, now confined to a few forest patches in our nation due to the ever-growing population and higher desire of men and destruction of the environment. Today people spend a lot of money and a lot of travel to see these magnificent cats once abundant in every corner of India. These are the feelings I felt when I saw these poor cats whose number is going down day by day. Even though my friends overjoyed by seeing this great national park and sharing a proud moment of seeing majestic cats. Of which they are mainly interested and to share their experiences photos with friends and well-wishers but I came with a heavy heart because in our nation the environment is the last priority. Whole Ramnagar city’s economy depends on Jim Corbett. People all over the globe come to see Jim Corbett and lakhs of people get employment there. Hotels, vehicles, and other tourism-related industries also survive on the same. People in general and the government, in particular, are not serious about environmental issues. Election, bank, and politics are kept above on other subjects. As tigers need more area or they come out of forest finding new territory that leads to man-animal conflict. Ever-increasing encroachment by land-hungry farmers, illegal forest encroachers, and hunters came to my mind while seeing this great biosphere. We spent three days exploring in different corners, visited Jim Corbett bungalow now converted into museum who once was a famous hunter turned tiger conservationists. We returned with great experience as I was lucky to be there since only a few could go there. What I saw and experienced is limited to me only. People of our nation do not know much about Jim Corbett. The general public needs to know about the conservation of this ecology. Every student of biology should have practical lessons in this great biosphere then only future generations will conserve this heaven on earth.

A few months ago we all saw bears grills episode with our beloved prime minister Narendra Modi. It is the same place, Dhikala, where we spent three days. It made me cherish the memories of the Jim Corbett national park and the days we spent on this wildlife heaven.