A rendezvous with wilderness

D N Singh

It was a wintry morning, and the lukewarm sunlight was virtually caressing the sylvan repertoire of Orissa. The dales down were meandering through the steppes, later to merge with a huge sparkling water body. Flocks of cattle were already out in the green pastures below. It was a very tranquil hour except for the occasional bleating of the grazing goats, audible within the realms of the blue hills. I was in Chandka Elephant Reserve and was out for the morning stroll after a night’s stay there. The first rendezvous with Chandka can be best made by viewing it from summits of the hills that surround it on two sides. There are many villages that lay amid the north-eastern folds of the sanctuary`s outer limit, but we were in a place that was thankfully secluded. The story would remain unfinished without a description of the place, where we spent the night. It is called ‘The Bamboo Hut’, an ideal wild resort located on a hill overlooking the vast expanse of a splendid valley. Made of Manipuri bamboo mats and Plaster of Paris, the small guest house has something special for every nature lover. The rooms and walls of the hut have a mahogany taste. The bamboo mats constituting the entire fortification with a shade of light maroon, is a real visual delight. The room is a cosy enclosure with a double bed accommodation and attached bath room. For a great experience, you just have to sit in the verandah and behold the beguiling spread of the nature queen. Here, you will not miss the occasional notes of the chirping of birds that gently create ripples through the tranquility. An aimless wandering through these forests can be a real treasure trove but during the early hours or late evening hours, an unguided ramble into the recesses may endanger your safety. This is because in these hours, the wild elephants (in fact, the flag-ship species of this reserve) seem to move out or return. You need to be in company of the forest personnel to be on the safe side. Over the years, the pressure of urbanisation and lack of care have weighed on this little paradise. In many places, the forests have receded but some old customs remain and still linger in a metamorphosed form. When we head towards the northern part of the sanctuary, we stumble across another tract of shelter. Bounded by thick foliage on one side and rock ridges on the other, the spot called Ambilo, stands prominently in the wide span of the reserve. A three storied huge watch tower emerges from the middle of the forest. Once on the top, you rarely miss the movements of the pachyderms, either lolling in mud or just idling in the open spots. If one decides to halt at night, the watch tower has all that a wildlife lover would look for. All set to be promoted as a tourist spot, this kind of shelter reduces one`s labour, risk of life and serves as the perfect haven for a great wildlife experience. From the towers, one can well behold the valley where the world seems to be shaped on a more delicate yet awesome scale. During night, the area appears to be languorous and the daybreak brings in sweet tranquillity as the surroundings adorn an azure tinge from the horizon. You may not miss the patches of arable land from top, although they are limited, and in the middle, here and there rich mass of grasses and trees overshadow the paler green of the semi-barren patches. This is the historic Chandka, a poet`s delight!