A Trip To Pench Tiger Reserve-19th,20th June

This is a ‘must’ trip,for people who have a flair for nature and all the more ‘Wildlife’.

It is a trip not a trek.
There was a heavy downpour in Hyderabad,on the night of departure.We had an unforgettable journey with some poultry over the bus.Although we were pure vegans,we were in a ‘chicken soup’ all through the journey to Nagpur,which made it all the more memorable,to the whole team.
There are two ways to reach Pench,one from Maharashtra and the other from Madhya Pradesh.We chose Madhya Pradesh.
It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh,bordering Maharashtra,in the districts of Seoni and Chhindwara.

We reached Nagpur in the morning somewhere around nine. We took a gypsy to Pench.

It is 92 km from Nagpur.

All through the journey I felt the cool breeze stroke me gently,making the journey even more memorable.Shortly we could see, literally ”India’s centre point”. It had a small structure with horses mould,which formed a great sight.
We were accommodated in the famous ‘Mowgli’s Den’. Pench is the original setting of one of Rudyard Kipling’s famous works, ‘The Jungle Book’, greatly influenced by its serene and scenic beauty. Finally we met Dr.Abheek Ghosh,an expert wildlife photographer.He was the one who arranged the safari for us.
We had our breakfast at Lallan’s place,and were all set for the safari.We were divided into groups and I and my mom were parted.
This was also a chance to know new people and to socialise well.We were five in a group.All my group members were cool enough and each unique in their own way.I never knew that silence could be so blissful in a jungle.There began our bizarre pursuit of the jungle and of course its 'wild inhabitants'!!!
Pench,comprise of 758 sq.km. of which 464 sq.km. is the buffer area and 299 sq.km.is the core area.Pench unlike Tadoba remains closed from July to October,for the breeding of the wildlife.
The first day we had an evening safari. We started off in a nice and refreshing weather.The first call we heard was of the ‘Brain Fever’bird,the name sounds different isn’t it? Thanks to Dr.Abheek ,that he could share immense knowledge with us.It was he,who told that ‘Brain Fever’ was called so due to its call! which sounded so.
Next, was the Chintal Herds,and the Langoors,which were the most common sight.The fact is that there are a lot of prey,but there are not more ’predators’. (only 1411 tigers!!!)

We could find owls which were quite different from those we sometimes find in the busy city.

We also found squirrels. I never knew that squirrels were of two types!!! The ones with three stripes and the ones with five!!! The former ones in the jungle and the latter ones in the city.Funny that I never noticed!!!Then we saw the Sambhars and the Nilgais.We cannot actually make out the difference I felt unless we watch them closely.Then came the turn of the Peacocks.They cried out restlessly for us,and finally we succeeded in spotting some of them.Later they became a common sight too.
Then we saw an Indian Roller,otherwise commonly called Palapitta .I found it more beautiful than our National Bird.Especially when it opened up its wings fully for a flight ,it had all grotesque shades of blue,which ,I felt,made it look all the more royal!It is really a striking sight to see.
The Kashmir Roller is even more beautiful,with a blue breast which adds to its beauty.
Another interesting sight were the dead ‘antlers’!!!We also could catch a glimpse of the deer shoving them off.It was a brilliant sight.
Then we caught a very interesting and rather philosophical sight.Mr.Abheek had already intoned about this and we were lucky enough to find it ; When the Langoors were plucking leaves from a tree and chucking them towards the deer below the tree who couldn’t climb,it definitely spectacles their relationships and that the animals are far better than us.This is an undeniable fact.
This was one of the most phenomenal sights I had ever seen throughout my life.
We saw egrets and pond herons in a new form,with yellow shades and colourful beaks respectively,that was because it was their breeding season.The usually not-so-attractive-ones looked quite attractive.
The next one we saw was the Wooly-Necked Stork which was fairly different from the others. We spotted a Lap Wing too with its usual ‘DID-YOU-DO-IT,WHY-DID-YOU-DO-IT’ call!!!
We could also spot jackals with the deer,but they weren’t bothered enough to attack them!!!
We could click a photograph where we can see an unusual friendship between a jackal and a deer!!!
Interesting na!!!
We could spot the Malabar Pied Hornbills,and two different kinds of vultures on the same tree!!!
In the Pench jungle,Elephants are brought in and tamed for domestic works.They are paid for se works too.
The payment is a 10kg roti!!! made at a special place,which we were fortunate enough to see.Finally we had to return for the day.But our jeep broke down!!! Finally what I’d prayed for,happened…We were just in luck that it broke down very near to the elephant,so we could have a better view.
But then it had to happen,so the jeep started and this time it was moving very wild, our open hair was brushing over and it was the best ride in my life!!!

Then we had a modest dinner and retired to our dormitories.
But none of us could sleep that night. Almost the whole of the night,we were engrossed in talks and jokes,mostly by Moin Sir ,Ranjan Sir and Vikram.It’s good to have people like them around ,with enough knowledge and experience.Finally we had some sleep late that night…
Next day’s quest starts…………
We started off about 5:30 or 6:00 .This time Varun was going to come with us.We thoroughly enjoyed his company. We found almost the same that we did the previous evening.This time they were in a larger number than before. We also found Pea-Hens,Mynahs,Brahmani Mynahs,and Drongos.
Also,we, rather Varun, almost spotted a tiger in its habitat.But,at first he thought it might be an illusion,which are totally common.But,it was when we heard the alarm calls of the deer, that we confirmed it to be the ‘King of the Jungle’ himself.We were forced to move from there,as the alarm calls had stopped.
We were lucky enough to find about two to three peacocks,dancing.Also it seemed that they had special moods and places for dancing. We saw a very beautiful Peacock flight which still lingers in my mind.
All this was the Natural part of Pench,there is also a Commercial side.

The tamed elephants we had talked about, were made to corner a single tiger and it was shown to the tourists at a fare of Rs.100 also the good part was that the money was spent on these tigers,too.
But it didn’t go in vain, we could see a 3 months old male tiger from approximately two metre distance.This was a spectacular view.It was all the more stupendous when Varun,Manish and I 'troubled' the tiger and were able to get some fantastic shots.
It would have been even better if we had spotted it naturally though.
After we returned,we had lunch,Poha and Dr.Abheek gave us detailed description about cameras,which was totally informative ,especially for those who are interested in wildlife photography.
The last safari,was one of the most memorable,of course after the tiger sighting.!!! We were lucky enough,to have Varun with us again.
We could spot a large herd of the BISON-look alike INDIAN GAUR.They were least bothered with our presence.We also could spot a wild boar luckily.Also we had a glimpse of a pair of Roller birds feeding their children,taking turns,aware of us,Intruders!!!
We could see a crested eagle too ,in a very convenient distance,enough to spot its crest clearly through the camera!!!
Finally whole of the safaris were done and were a true treat for our eyes.
Dr.Abheek and his 'Wild Cats', presented their 'save our tigers';and we had group photos.
We drove back to Nagpur ,caught a bus back to Hyderabad and reached early next morning.
The whole of the nineteen member team made the trip all the more memorable,enough to last a lifetime.
Our Organizer,Nandu was patient enough to handle everything well.
So looking forward for more of such trips,mostly involving things like trekking and hiking.
I returned with refreshing energy and beaming knowledge about all the new things I learnt .
Even though I returned to Hyderabad,my thoughts still linger in the jungles of Pench.I think all the others too are in the same state!!!
Cheers!!!
Kavya Bhavana
We could enjoy all this stuff only at Rs.4750.