25th July: Jim Corbett’s 137th birthday celebration, by Eshaan Trivedi

The monsoon brings rains nearly everyday in and around the forest reserve, so most of the resorts are functioning at lower capacities at this time. Amid intermittent drizzles, Jim’s Jungle Retreat hosted members of the community – young and old – to a ‘day-spend’ at the retreat.
 
Members of our senior naturalist-led The Rainbow Group were invited as were forest officials and students. Between the ages of eight to 75, participants were seen sipping cups of juice and tea as they introduced themselves during the orientation. After short and informative speeches on the subjects of tiger conservation and Jim Corbett’s role by senior naturalist Rajesh Bhatt and Dr. SM Tandon, the day was starting to look bright.

Walkabout talk, photo credit: Eshaan Trivedi

A walk-around the premises of JJR was conducted by Rajesh Bhatt, who pointed out to the young naturalists, how in small, everyday steps one can take forward the great efforts of Jim Corbett and other stalwarts about conservation in this region.

The walk was followed by presentations about the life of Jim Corbett, briefing us about his accomplishments not just as a hunter, but as a conservationist and champion of the Kumaon area!

Presentation at the lounge, photo credit: Eshaan Trivedi

Over lunch, the chatter made the cafeteria at JJR come to life. People from the city were getting to know naturalists from the forest. Children were in undisturbed conversations with professors, writers and forest officials from the forest department.

Overall, it was a great day celebrated in the spirit of Jim Corbett’s tireless activities in his beloved home.
 
Happy Birthday Mr. Corbett!

The Monsoon Jungle, by Eshaan Trivedi

I was here last during the scorching dry heat of the plains. Coming from a heat wave in New Delhi, I was not surprised to see that the impartiality of the sun had left the grassland-jungle dehydrated as well. Water holes in the area were drying up, trees were looking tired, and a compulsory siesta was the only way to make it through to the evenings. In fact, the only place fauna was active was at the watering hole created at JJR, where one could see the parched birds, deer and even the roaring of the tiger was heard!

The water hole at Jim's Jungle Retreat. Photo credit: Daleep Akoi

Seasons change, and here I am again. This time, against the backdrop of famed Bollywood actor Amitabh Bacchan talking about tiger conservation on NDTV’s “Tigerthon”.

Gentle morning showers keep the temperature cool until the next rainfall (which is usually a drizzle in the evening). The sun shines brightly during the afternoon, making it a bit humid and muggy. Cloud formations are beautiful, and using one’s imagination, you can see your visions actualize in the sky.

Uncountable shades of green fill my eyes with the upper and lower canopies exhibiting layers of green, ranging from the dull to the exuberant. Truly seated in the lap of greenery! The character of the sky is changing every hour. The clouds and the sun play hide and seek, varying the temperature from cool and windy to sweaty and blazing. A jubilant orchestra of frogs sets the ambience for the evening, and continues into the night.

Monsoon canopy, photo credit: Daleep Akoi

Tiger sightings are low because less people are going for safaris.

Also, the overgrowth of vegetation suits the tigers well as they stay beneath it, making it difficult to get a glimpse of the majestic animal.

As the butterflies are dancing, the intoxication of the monsoon is evident in the animals. Breeding seems to be the order of the day, with frogs, centipedes and an array of insects and beetles becoming part of the action. Mating calls can be heard near and far from all kinds of mammals. It’s a new world for the baby insects as they are born! Beetles, scorpions, moths, caterpillars, centipedes, millipedes and dragonflies are abundant, and everywhere. In fact, in some areas, it’s difficult to walk without hearing the crunchy sound of centipedes under one’s feet!

The trees seem youthful and playful. Playing good hosts, the trees hold nests, caterpillars, fungus, butterflies and variety of insects, hereby giving rise to a new generation of flora and fauna.

Village life is blooming; tiny outputs of freshly sowed grains are revealing themselves. The cows look happy with plenty of grass, and water is plenty. It’s time to socialize as groups of men and women gather in small groups to tend to their freshly planted fields.

Riverbeds are lush! A strong presence of overpowering nature is felt as vehicles cross the joints of road where the river has reached. An expensive luxury SUV faces the same conundrum as a bullock cart as they both stand perplexed in front of the fast flowing water on the road, unable to cross! Maybe this is why I find myself here, overwhelmed by the flow of nature, where a caterpillar has an equal right to life as an elephant or a human being.

Living in a natural equilibrium, by Eshaan Trivedi

Wanting to spot a tiger in the open jungle is like wanting to pick up a chick in a nightclub: The more desperate you seem, the lesser are your chances.

Well, I got lucky today (May 11, 2012), spotting a huge tigress and her (rather large) cub as they strolled by me, ten meters away from my open jeep. Having read the horror man-eater stories in The Jim Corbett Omnibus, I must say I was terrified. Instead of reaching for my camera, my first instinct was to reach for my swiss knife as I swiftly ducked under the seat. The family sitting at the back was braver though, they lunged forward with their cameras almost falling right out of the jeep.

As many of you know, I have a problem with following the mainstream, ie. doing what everyone else does. In Paris, I did not take a picture of the Eiffel Tower and in Corbett, I will not take a picture of the tiger. Unless, of course, I have an opportunity to take one of those pictures that will be framed and put up in a library. I have however taken pictures of various monkeys, deer and even dove footprints.

The interesting thing about dove footprints is that when you spot the male and female footprints together, they go left and right, up and down, following arbitrary patterns. What I have been explained is that the female leads the male into a dance, and makes him follow her all over the place! She goes left and right and up and down, and the poor male has no choice but to follow.

There is so much to learn from all the animals here, even the insects. The animals blend into their environment so beautifully. It reminds me of something Agent Smith (the machine from The Matrix) said: "I'd like to share a revelation that I’ve had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species, and I realised that humans are not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment; but you humans do not. Instead you multiply, and multiply, until every resource is consumed. The only way for you to survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern... a virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer on this planet, you are a plague."

His views may have been a bit excessive in his condemnation, but we must think about this.

At least I am today, living within this natural equilibrium.