When vehicle breaks down in a Tiger Reserve

"What is Manas?"
Name of a river in Assam in India named after the serpent Goddess Manasa.
"Then what is this Manas National Park?"
It is a UNESCO Natural Wold Heritage Site. Famous for rich bio-diversity and flora and fauna.
"OK. Which animals are endemic in Manas i.e. found only in Manas?"
The Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur 
and pygmy hog.
"Did you sight any of these?"
Yes, the golden langur!
"Manas is also known for Tigers. Did you see any?"
No. But our vehicle broke down in the Tiger Reserve.
"What? Are you serious?"

This conversation occurred many times after we returned from our visit to Manas National Park (MNP) in Assam. Sighting of animals in a forest unlike in a zoo, is never certain. Therefore, one should not be disappointed if tiger or rhino sighting does not occur. Of course, if your safari vehicle breaks down in a Tiger Reserve, that's another story! We will come back to it.

We were a team of 20 Navy veterans and spouses all in their late 60s. We bring you a set of stories based on our visit to MNP in November 2018, which should be read together. Quick links are given below:

1. Who were the travellers?
2. Guwahati the Gateway to North East India
3. Driving through the Bamboo land
4. MNP- What is so great? (this story)
5. MNP- Where crickets sing like Temple Bells
6. Bodo Village- Living with Nature
7. Where to Stay in Manas
8. Deepor Beel A Ramsar Site

Assam has many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. See the map below.

Location of MNP

Manas National Park
As shown in the map below, two-thirds of Manas Park is located in Bhutan where it is called Royal Manas National Park.

The Safari

Here is a short video clip of these majestic elephants.

The travellers are all set to enter the Park.

Fallen trees also have a role to play in a forest.

According to Wikipedia, the combination of Sub-Himalayan Bhabar Terai formation along with the riverine succession continuing up to Sub-Himalayan mountain forest make it one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world. The park is 950 sq km in area and is situated at a height of 61m to 110m above mean sea level.

Vehicle break down in a Tiger Reserve and ladies seem unperturbed! Because we had four vehicles and only one broke down. And we were stranded near a forest beat camp which had wireless connectivity. So, help was arranged quickly. But Ghumakkad had been stranded earlier in Ranthambor National Park also. Golden rules for such situations are:

1. Do not panic.
2. Do not leave your vehicle.
3. Do not make noise.
4. Stay calm.
5. Help will arrive since entry/exit of all safari vehicles is tracked.

See the video clip of our vehicle breakdown in middle of the forest.

Here is a panoramic view of the Park from the anti-poaching tower:

Hurray the relief vehicle arrives and the Safari resumes!

Instead, we should feel the forest, its smell, the sounds, the trees, insects, birds and everything! Taking pictures is just a small aspect but quite often it becomes the main distraction. We then miss the big picture!

We end with a quotation about unknown things in life, which kind of summed up our experience that morning.

We will take you to Mathanguri the northern boundary of the Park in our next story.

Thanks for browsing.

      -  Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 23rd Apr 2019
#manasnationalpark #assam #india #wildlife #tiger #goldenlangur #bansbari #mathanguri #junglesafari #ghumakkadharsh #ghumakkadhb #elephants

Ranthambor Prelude

_______________________ Ranthambor The King's Den _____________________

Call of the wild and in particular the king of the jungle is always so tempting.
Tiger eluded us at Bandipur National Park despite five safaris in three days during Feb 13. Barely a month later, we are off again! This time to the famous Rantahmbor Tiger Reserve in west Rajasthan.

We had been there in late 80s. But despite two safaris then, we had no sighting.
Jogi Mahal then was maintained by the Forest department. A few days after our visit, Mr Rajiv Gandhi then Prime Minister had visited Ranthambor and had stayed at Jogi Mahal overlooking the Padam Talao. We now understand it is no longer maintained as a Rest House. We will see for ourselves when we get there on 27th March. Right now, no pictures (Unlike all our earlier posts!) as we would not like to post borrowed stuff! Please bear with us till the next post.

Fact file: 
Access: 11 km by road from Sawai Madhopur railway station.
Air: Nearest airport Jaipur which is 130 kms north west. A good 3 hour drive via Banasthali women's University.
Accommodation: Plenty of lodges and resorts to suit all budgets.
Best season: Nov to May. The grass dries up in Apr and May with better chances of tiger sighting.
Safari: Forest department issues permits for 20 Gypsies (6 seats each) and 20 canters (18 seater open roof) every day. Book early (90-100 days in advance) to get a Gypsy.
Photography: Still cameras no charges. Video cams: Rs 400 each.
Dressing: Wear earthy colours so as not to disturb the animals. Light woolens in winter and cool cottons with a hat in summer.

For more background info on the forest, topography, monuments etc the reader may refer to an excellent blog by Aditya Singh 'Dicky' at: http://www.dickysingh.com/ranthambhore/

More when we get there soon! Those of you who have been there, tips are welcome!

Bye till then.

  Ghumakkad Harsh/ 25th March 13

Postscript: Links to all our stories on Ranthambor are given below:

Prelude and Fac File
The Journey- Secunderabad to Sawai Madhopur
Tiger at last
Tiger's Cohabitants
Birds of Ranthambor
Ranthambor Fort and around Sawai Madhopur

Happy browsing.

#Tiger #Ranthambor #T24 #Sambhar #Cheetal #Aravalis #Zone6 #BirdsOfRanthambor #Fort #PugMarks #SawaiMadhopur #GhumakkadHarsh #GhumakkadHB


__________________________ Ranthambor Prelude _______________________