AN INTERVIEW WITH SHRI PINAKI PRASAD SINGH, DFO, DUDHWA.

The Divisional Forest Officer of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Mr. P.P. Singh, has taken up the challenge to protect the marvelous geological and biological diversity of Dudhwa in earnest. He has a really, really tough assignment at hand. His task is not merely to manage the skeletal thin Forest Staff of Dudhwa, but also deal with relentless pressure of the local politicians, mafias and goons. His equanimity in such duress is indeed admirable. It must be his immense passion for Nature and Wildlife that motivates him to face the odds. Otherwise he could easily have been straddled in some other glamorous echelons of bureaucracy in Orrisa (his home-state). Even though besieged with a terrible spat between the Forest Staff and the mafia at Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Mr. Singh talked at length about Dudhwa with Karavan at his office in Palia.

What attracted you to this profession?

I was passionate about wildlife since my childhood. Besides I possess a PhD in Plant Science. It was thus natural for me to opt for IFS (Indian Forest Service).

What is it that makes Dudhwa a unique place in the world?

Well! Dudhwa is the last remnant of the Terai. The Terai Ecosystem is undoubtedly the only one of its kind in the entire world. You see millions and millions of years ago, India was a part of a Supercontinent called Gondwanaland (that also consisted of Africa, Australia, Antarctica and South America). The Indian landmass separated from this Super-continent and drifted towards its present place in Asia. The Sea of Tethys formed the frontier between Asia and the Indian landmass. The Himalayas gradually arose from the bed of the Sea of Tethys. This Sea gradually shrunk and was covered with silt brought down by the Himalayan Rivers. The Terai, a bowl shape structure, is that very Sea of Tethys. This is proved by Marine shells that have been found here by boring to a depth of 300 meters. This is geologically a very active region. The dynamic geological conditions have given rise to three distinct Eco-systems; the Sal jungles, Swamps and Grasslands. Different eco-systems are inhabited by distinct species.

What is the relationship between the Terai and the Himalayas?

The Terai lies in the lower Himalayas. Any change in the Himalayas is immediately registered here; whether it is the de-forestation and the resultant silting, the receding of glaciers or erosion caused by rivers. These changes affect both the geology and biology of the Terai; for e.g. Blackbucks were once very numerous here, but now their population is sparse.

What is the status of the Wildlife at Dudhwa?

The wildlife population is healthy and thriving. The Tigers number more than a 100; leopards around 7; there are some 3000 Swamp deer. A herd of 33 wild elephants from Nepal have camped here; the population of the re-introduced rhinos has increased to 23. This reflects the positive health of the Dudhwa Forest. It appears in Forest Department Records that the population of Sambar deer and Lesser Cats has declined? Dudhwa is the only place in the world that is inhabited by 5 species of deer. Sambars inhabit the dry deciduous forests. The Terai forest is wet and dense. Thus there has not been an increase in the number of Sambar deer. We possess what is called the Critical Population of the Sambar (i.e. where the population of the species will not increase further). This is due to the Natural Course of Evolution. Lesser Cats (especially the Jungle Cats and Fishing Cats) are numerous. You can take an evening stroll to gain a first hand experience. Leopard Cat numbers are less though.

Why do people make Doomsday predictions about the Wildlife of India?

I would call the doomsday predictions as escapist. I suppose such gloomy assessment is not based upon proper facts/study. We are in the know of reality. We have the scientific data. And I say with confidence that our forests are healthy. But we must pay heed to the warnings and ensure that tragedies like Sariska do not recur.

What is the Scope of Tourism at Dudhwa?

Unlimited! With our kind of records of Tiger Sighting, wildlife tourism in Dudhwa is destined to become a success. Of course, we need to build our Infrastructure. Our accommodation is limited and the supply of electricity is poor. We are working on these aspects. Wildlife Tourism has become synonymous with Tiger sighting. What is being done to enhance its scope? At the moment, 95% of the tourists are picnickers, eager to catch a glimpse of the King of the Jungle. The other 5% are hard core wildlife enthusiasts. Our strategy is to convert this 95% lot into hard core wildlifers. We hope to achieve this by adding more exhibits at our Nature Interpretation Center. A multi-media light and sound show is on the anvil. We are grooming the Forest Guides as repositories of knowledge. They would tell the tourists about the Sal trees, birds, reptiles, anthills and other wonderful aspects about Dudhwa. We are designing a Tree House, 45 feet above the ground, for giving the tourists a feel of adventure. We are working to provide tent and camping facilities for the more compulsive Nature lovers.

What has been your most memorable experience at Dudhwa?

It was 31st Oct 2002. We finally cleared an encroachment on the forest land. It had been under illegal occupation since 1966. It was momentous occasion. Then I can recall our encounter with some Nepalese poachers. 13th Sept 2001, I remember the date, it happened two days after 9/11. We exchanged fire with the poachers and foiled their attempt.

What has been the most memorable experience of Wildlife at Dudhwa?

Elephants from Nepal often visit Dudhwa. Their stay here is usually very brief. But this winter, for the first time in 25 years, a one month pregnant cow elephant delivered a baby at Dudhwa. Now this is simply wonderful because the elephant is a highly intelligent animal. It selects the place for delivery and post-natal period with great insight so as to increase the chances of survival. This event reflects the good health of our forest. And I vividly remember 17th April 2003, when I sighted Four Handsome Tigers together.

What is the biggest challenge of that you face as DFO, Dudhwa?

When the Park was established, the human population was somewhere around a hundred thousand. Now it is ten times that figure. However the Manpower with us has remained static. Whatever wildlife you see is because of this committed Forest Staff. But now we need many more people to manage our Forests. The other challenge is our infrastructure, which is inadequate.

What future do you visualize for Dudhwa?

We have been approached by many private hoteliers for setting up their hotels and resorts. I can see, with my eyes closed, within 5 years such will be the tourist rush that there will be a shortage of Parking Space here at Palia.

INTERVIEW WITH DR. RAM LAKHAN SINGH, FOUNDER-DIRECTOR DUDHWA NATIONAL PARK

What makes you such a wonderful writer?

I believe that every person on the earth is endowed with some unique natural gift. An individual could be an artist, poet, writer……however in 95% of us, this talent remains dormant. I realized my talent as a writer and made a determined effort to nurture it. Moreover, I am a man of the field. I have spent 20-25 days a month away from my family amidst dense wilderness. Early morning and late evenings, the time when the jungles throbs with activity, I would station myself on the machan (watch tower). Many an hour would elapse observing the Natural World. I have brought forth before the reader what my memory retained over a period of time. I have put in words what is worthwhile. The insignificant details have been chaffed off. It is my effort to share with the reader a vast gamut of experience. I am not an event or textbook writer. My approach is to make my material simple, readable and enjoyable. I think that there is nothing so complicated on earth that cannot be expressed in a simple and understandable language even for those who are entirely unfamiliar with the subject. And, of course, I have taken up writing for inner fulfillment. I have not been under the compulsion to earn through my writing.

What attracted you to the Forest Services?

I started my career as Physics Lecturer at Ervin Christian College, Allahabad. That was in the year 1966-69. I was a successful teacher. In fact, I used to write stories on the concepts and theories of Physics (my inner talent, you see). But, while I enjoyed my work thoroughly, I wanted a better salaried job; I wanted a secure job as I belonged to an ordinary middle class family. So, I appeared for the Civil Services examination and was selected for the Forest Services. I would not say that I had a great inclination for this service. I simply desired a good salaried job. You have enacted many roles; you have been a teacher, a civil servant, a conservationist, and also a writer. What role have you relished most? I am a responsible person. I do not allow my likes and dislikes or my whims and fancies to deviate me from my basic duties. I firmly believe in God and that I am executing His Grand Design. The work in hand has always been my first priority. I have thus performed all my duties with great sincerity. Even now, when I have retired, my firm commitment to my present assignments continues.

And what are your present assignments?

My household chores; three hours of gardening every day; reading; manning my open house study room between 6-8 PM; and my teaching assignments at the University. It has been a very active retirement.

You have traveled far and wide. You have first hand experience of many National Parks throughout the world. What makes Dudhwa just one of its kind in the entire world?

There are three aspects that make Dudhwa unique. Firstly, Dudhwa is the last remaining extensive Grassland of the foothills that survives on the planet. You see, you cannot create more Grassland. The Grasslands are the most threatened eco-system because they are not considered as a forest type. The grasslands have been rated as a wasteland even by the Forest Department. They have thus borne the onslaught of not just ‘development’, but also conversion to agricultural land and plantation forest. Then, Dudhwa is possibly the only place on the earth where Five Species of Deer survive in one place in large numbers. And finally, Dudhwa is a very prominent and well protected Tiger habitat.

What do you think is your most significant contribution to Dudhwa National Park?

I glorified Dudhwa to the politicians and policy-makers and succeeded in getting it established as a National Park! I sold them the idea of the international significance of Dudhwa. The fact is you cannot achieve anything without the support of these two people. Before being established as a National Park, Dudhwa was intensively managed by State Government. It yielded revenues of Rupees 20 Million annually through timber and other forest products in those years. Grasslands were being converted into plantation forests. Timber was being supplied to the railways for sleepers. All of this would come to a grinding halt, if Dudhwa was declared a Protected Area. Naturally, the move was opposed by the entire department. But I convinced the most vehement critic. The greatest support came from the then Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

How did you sell the idea of Dudhwa?

I would say through the personality cult I built about myself. I had returned from Australia after my specialization. I had developed the reputation of an ardent Field worker. So, I romanticized the idea of Dudhwa through my writings, interviews and lifestyle. Everyone was impressed. They associated with my dreams. It is human psychology to associate with big things and big ideas. Ideas are valued. They are the biggest commodity to be sold. I can illustrate this with an example. The rhino re-introduction project was taken up the FAO and the Government of India. There were many claimants and many sites were explored for project. But I convinced the authorities that if you want the project to succeed, please trust me.

What is it that strikes your mind, when you think of Dudhwa?

The tall trees all around and not a speck of civilization!

What is your most memorable experience of Dudhwa?

It was my first encounter with the man-eater tigress; the (in)famous Tigress of the River Suheli. I still cannot believe it. I wasn’t sure whether I’ll come back alive. She could have killed me. Now this tigress had caused havoc in the vicinity of Dudhwa. It had also killed two of my staff members. As a leader I had to face the challenge. It was the call of duty. Having tracked her on the back of the elephant, I decided to strike. I had no experience of hunting whatsoever. Besides, there was neither a proper back up nor any security arrangement. It would have been prudent to go back and organize something like the shikar expedition of the bygone era; with all the paraphernalia, the elephants, the night vigil on the machan, the bait and the wait for the tigress. But that would have been a case of an opportunity lost forever. I took the chance at hand. I made a mathematical calculation. If a tiger has to be shot dead, then either its heart or brain should be targeted. And there she stood, huge and menacing. I provoked her. She leaped upon the elephant in rage. I was within her range and grip. She could have killed me. But in her jumping posture, she exposed her heart. My tactics worked. I seized the golden opportunity. And shot her dead. It is unbelievable. It could have been either of us. It is a miracle that I am alive. I firmly believe that unless God wishes, nothing ill can happen at all.

Mr. Billy Arjan Singh was also there with you……….. Yes! That was a part of my calculation. I had roped him because I wanted to confuse the tigress. The tigers recognize their master’s scent. Billy Arjan Singh’s presence confused her. She could not analyze whether she stood before a friend or foe. That gave me the edge. (Note: The man eating tigress was none other than Tara, the pet tigress of noted conservationist Mr. Billy Arjan Singh. She had escaped into the jungles of Dudhwa.)

At first sight, our jungles seem so lustrous, green and healthy. They are far more scientifically managed than in the past. Then why is sighting wildlife so rare?

The greenery of the forests is mostly of the non-palatable kind. It gives a good look, yes! But it has little fodder value. The non-palatable grasses have strangled the palatable ones. Mind you these are not exotics. They are indigenous, but are hardy. Since they are not being grazed, they are thriving. Besides, the management of herbivores is lacking. The herbivores venture inside the agricultural fields for grazing at night. They are killed there.

What can be done to address these problems?

Selected areas in the forests would have to be ploughed to create fodder value plants for the herbivores. These pockets will have to be fenced. Wildlife cannot be saved without human intervention. There is a need to change the current approach of Protection to Resource Management. We cannot leave this work to Nature alone. If left to Nature, only the thorny and hardy shrubs will survive. But most importantly, the Forest Services need to be strengthened. We need professionals. The department needs real heroes. It is absolutely essential to get rid of the ‘administrative job’ trap. The people must take pride in working on the field.

Can jungles and humans co-exist in our country?

I think it is possible. About 21% or one-fifth of our land area is a notified forest. This means that we have land for our jungles and wildlife. We have the manpower to protect our forests. Our conservation laws are the best in the world. India is respected the all over the world for conservation. Tiger protection would not have been possible anywhere else in the world. It is impossible to even imagine the existence of a free ranging carnivore (the tiger) or 70% of the Asian Elephants in such an overpopulated country.

What can be done to sensitize the common man towards Nature, Environment and Wildlife?

It has been a tragedy that an entire generation was devoid of the knowledge of Nature. But there is a positive change now. Forests are better known. Their non-marketable values have been recognized and accepted. The recent Supreme Court decision of introducing Environment Science as a compulsory subject in schools is another commendable step.

You said, you believe in ‘God’s Grand Design’, do you think there is some ‘Grand Design’ behind the present pathetic wildlife scenario?

(After a studied silence) No! I don’t think so.

Interview with Ram Kumar (Forester Dudhwa)

What is the biggest challenge of your work?

I have been posted here for almost 4 years. I have been assigned two major responsibilities: Tourism and Forest Protection. Both these responsibilities have their own challenges. Let me begin with tourism. All and all, my experience with the tourists has been good. But I also come across some ‘difficult customers.’ These are usually some government servants or politicians who try to throw their weight around. I have learnt to deal with these elements. An incident comes to my mind. There was this Proprietor of Jansatta Express, P.K. Verma. This gentleman had been bullying us with his demands for quite a while. We tried our level best to satisfy; but it was all in vain. Finally 10 P.M at night, he was at his shouting best. “You do not know me. I’ll have you suspended” and all such stuff, he said. I still tried to pacify him. But when his conduct became unbearable, I told him curtly; “Neither of us knows the future. But at this moment of time and all night long, you’ll do as I say. Kindly behave lest some harm befalls upon you. You have no other choice.”

What was his reaction then and later?

As I had told him, he had no other choice. He sulked, but settled down. Later on, as expected of the mediawallahs, there was a screaming headline on his newspaper. “A Forester or A Terrorist,” it said. There were some meaningless charges against me in the article. An inquiry dismissed all these charges as baseless. And what about your other responsibility…….. Forest Protection is far tougher. It involves the risk to life and limb. We face the pressures from self-styled people’s representatives. These people are forever prepared to enter into a brawl with us. Then the people, who live in the villages, can be quite hostile. They feel that we are denying them their legitimate rights over the forest. They are simply not aware about the importance of the forests. We and the forests have become the scapegoats for their frustration. A colleague of ours faced the wrath of the people recently at Kishanpur. Things are still very tense.

Can this problem not be solved?

We are trying to solve these problems through the Eco-Development Project. We encourage the villagers to adopt alternative employment and lifestyles. We, thus, hope to minimize the dependence of the people on the forests. Though we have achieved some success, a lot more needs to be done.

What is your advice to the tourists?

Please follow the forest rules. Please keep to the tracks. Do not complain that you could not see the wildlife. Remember the wildlife will not come to report to you. It is you who are intruding upon their privacy. For most of the tourists, the only thing worthwhile is the tiger. What would you like to tell them? Please develop a respect for all forms of life. We quest for the tiger because it is so rare. There is a great probability that soon the so called ‘common animals’ too will become so rare that we shall thirst for but a glimpse of them. The King of the Jungle and His Subjects, both are equally precious.

What has been your most unforgettable moment at Dudhwa?

This sight will remain etched in my memory for my entire life. It was blood curdling experience. And it was sheer poetry. A python devouring a deer foal. I witnessed this sight for two unending hours. I looked benumbed. I choked. I gasped. But I stood there like a mute spectator; now gripped with pity; and remorseless soon after. Had it been a momentary kill, I would soon have overcome my emotions! But witnessing the dance of death for two hours was horrific! It was Nature in an Inexplicable Mood.

What is the future of Dudhwa?

I dream of Dudhwa as the most beautiful place on the planet. But this dream shall not be realized, at least in my lifetime. This is because we live in such a materialistic age. We have lost all our traditional values and ethics.

AN INTERVIEW WITH IDREES KHAN, MAHAWAT

Tell us something about yourself?

My name is Idrees Khan. I am the Mahawat at Dudhwa (The Elephant driver). I was recruited here in the year 1972. I acquired the professional skills from my grandfather, Munnan Bakhsh. He too was an employee here. Since my childhood, I would visit Dudhwa and got hooked to this profession. This is our family tradition where the baton has passed from one generation to the next. But my kids will definitely not adopt this profession and neither do I want them to.

How do you train your Elephants?

The Department sources the Elephants from the Animal Fairs of Gorakhpur and Sonpur. The elephants thus are already trained to obey the commands. When they formally join our team, we first take them for an orientation in the forests. We give them a first hand experience of the wildlife along with the other team members. They must overcome their fear, especially the fear of wild elephants. It takes around 2 to 3 months to groom them. During my career, I have trained three elephants.

What is the difference between driving a motor vehicle and an elephant?

Since I have driven both, I can explain. You see, the elephant is not just an intelligent creature, she is also very sensitive. So you must have an idea of her psyche. You don’t need to know the psyche of a jeep or car (laughs). Then, riding an elephant involves all your limbs and senses; your hands, your feet and your mouth for the commands. The footwork needs to be especially good.

You said one needs to know the psyche of an elephant. How do you assess the psyche?

Let me give you an example. Early morning, I have to report for duty, but my elephant is behaving erratically. I try to analyze her conduct. I examine her body temperature. If the body temperature is high, I give her a bath. When she dries up and her normal temperature is restored, she is given a 15 minute rest. It is only after the rest that we arrange the howdah on her back. One needs to very careful with this creature.

How do your elephants react when they see the wild elephants?

Well! We employ the female elephants only. This is because the females can be trained with relative ease. A male elephant can go berserk during mast; we’ll have no control over him. The wild male elephants are often keen to date our elephants. But our elephants are really fearful of the wild males. When approached, they retreat and trumpet in fear. We come to their rescue and fire in the air. The fire is good enough to put the males to flight.

How would you describe your relationship with Dudhwa National Park?

I have devoted my life here. I have worked hard. I have learnt so much about Life and Nature. In fact, I am still learning. Recently, for the first time in my life, I measured the size of the rhino feet. It was a thrilling experience. I am a part of the special group that tackles the Man Eater Tigers. I have earned the respect of my colleagues and my officers. I say this with great pride.

Your advice to the tourists……….

It is only during the early mornings and evenings that you can enjoy the wildlife. So, please be punctual. Please report on time.

What future role do you foresee for the Mahawats?

I think the Mahawats will continue to play an important role, even in the age of All Terrain Vehicles. The utility of an elephant in a jungle cannot be replaced by any motor vehicle. Moreover, the new chaps are far smarter than us.

INTERVIEW WITH MOHD. NASSEEM (the Birding expert at Dudhwa National Park)

What inspired you to take up bird watching?

I came to Dudhwa in the year 1976. I was assigned the responsibility of taking the tourists for sight-seeing. During those days, Dudhwa was very popular with many bird watching groups from Europe. I used to take these groups to the different spots in Dudhwa. Their Ecstasy, upon sighting the Forest Eagle Owl, Fish Eagle, Twany Eagle, Brown Fish Eagle, Bengal Florican, puzzled me. What is so amazing about this activity, I thought, and my journey had begun.

What is it that makes bird watching so wonderful?

The sheer diversity of forms; you see there are more animals in the sky than on the earth. There are 1200 species of birds in India; I have a personal checklist of 423 species at Dudhwa. Identifying a species is a really exciting. For e.g. the warbler family; there are such minor differences between two species. When you are able to observe these insignificant details and distinguish one species from the other, you feel so delighted, so overwhelmed. Moreover bird watching can be done anywhere: at your garden; on the countryside; scrub forests and dense jungles. A bird watcher delights in his own colorful world. He develops an immense sensitivity for Nature and Wildlife.

What have been the most fascinating moments of your journey?

I live and relive the mating ritual dance of the Peacock. Did you know that this dance is observed by 4-5 hens! I have seen the mating that follows the dance. The peacock selects a hen from the spectators. It mounts upon the hen for about 30 seconds. And having relished the pleasures of union, the two separate. The joy of this sight can never ever seem routine. I also find the Bengal Florican’s mating ritual very interesting. The male hovers in the air for a while and a large pouch emerges from its neck. I have learnt many a lesson about the Instinct and Struggle for Survival from the World of Birds. I was amazed to see an Indian Myna courageously defend its fledgling against a Shikra (Sparrow-hawk). In the World of Nature, your survival depends upon overcoming that ephemeral moment of fear. If, in a split second, you demonstrate your strength and mask your fear, you might live. I was once attacked by a bear; that could have been my end. But since I did not panic, I was able to put a façade of my strength and escape its clutches.

Your tips for bird watchers………

Bird watching is so simple. Get a pair of binoculars and Dr. Salim Ali’s Book; start exploring villages, graveyards, shrub forests or just observe the Banyan, Bo or Mahua trees (especially when they flower).

What future do visualize for Dudhwa?

The future of Dudhwa or any other jungle of our country will entirely depend on our population. More people means we need more land and more resources. And then we’ll go about exploiting our precious forests for agriculture, industry and settlement.

INTERVIEW WITH BHAGAT RAM RANA

What attracted you to this profession?

Honestly, I would say it was my necessity that drove me to this profession. I am a farmer. We people work day and night during the planting and harvesting season. But for a while in a year, we are free. Farming yields and profitability have become quite unpredictable in recent times. People like us really need an extra employment to sustain ourselves. Besides, I had completed my studies and needed to support my family. I had to prove myself. So, I started working as a Tour Guide at Dudhwa.

How has your attitude towards jungle and wildlife changed?

Though my ancestors have been living in Dudhwa since ages, our attitude towards the forests was one of indifference. It provided us with our needs and that’s about it. But now, having gained knowledge about Nature and Wildlife, I look upon the forests with great respect.

How do the Tharu village communities look upon the jungle and wildlife?

I admit that there is a general indifference towards the forests. There is this feeling amongst some people that we are being denied our legitimate share over forest products. I attribute it to unemployment and the burgeoning aspirations. But the attitude towards the wildlife has changed. Hunting has declined a great deal. The active propagation of vegetarianism by many sects has influenced many people.

How would you describe your experience as a tour guide?

There is so much to learn in this profession. I make it a point to understand the mystery of Nature from as many people as possible. I have come across such passionate wildlife enthusiasts that it is simply a pleasure to be with them. These people enjoy every single moment of their stay. It seems that they merge with the forests. Then, there are the buggers. They can get quite nasty at times. Their sole objective is to see the tiger. I have come across some really amusing suggestions: “Why don’t you people put up bait, so that the tourists can see the tiger?” During such crazy moments, I wonder whether I should continue here or not. And there are instances, when I feel I am cheating the tourists. For hours, there is not a sight of wildlife. I start feeling so despondent. Is this the same jungle about which my forefathers waxed eloquent?

What would you like to do for Dudhwa?

I would like to educate the village community about the importance of our forests and the great danger that would befall upon us, if they are destroyed. The forests are a collective treasure of ours. Look at Corbett, just about everyone there is so proud of their Park.

Do you feel that jungles and villages can co-exist?

The Eco-Development project of the Forest Department strives to achieve this goal of co-existence. The objective of the project is to reduce the dependence of the villages on the forests. There is a grave problem of Unemployment and Underemployment in the villages. An empty mind is a devil’s workshop. If the villagers are suitably employed, there is no reason for any conflict between man and nature. A better coordination between the forest authorities and villagers is also absolutely essential for the co-existence of all.

An interesting experience that comes to your mind…….

You see, though I have lived in the lap of Nature and I love Nature, but I am not a too adventurous type. I am quite content with a calm flow of life. I start feeling giddy, when things get very hot. Now imagine my plight, when Lord Yamraj, the God of Death, paid a visit. Our team was patrolling at Kakraha Tal, the Rhino Area, during the last monsoons. While our forester was armed with a gun, the boys just had their lathis (sticks). It was sometime in the afternoon. We detected some movement at a distance. The sound too seemed suspicious. We wondered whether it was it a poacher or a woodcutter? We tried to observe very carefully. But the object was inconspicuous. By this time, the entire team was in total alert. We focused further. Moments later there was a wavy swishing movement. We caught a fleeting glimpse of a Wild lonesome elephant. This chimera disappeared in the tall grasses. The team heaved a sigh of relief, still debating about the object. We camped that night at the Forest Rest House. I remember vaguely. I had some strange dream that night. But, yes, I awoke startled, mumbling about the elephant. Very soon, some of the boys were awake. Others, half asleep, tried to gather their wits. Something strange seemed to be going on in the wee hours of the morn. What divine command led us to the window, I do not know! But what I felt there, I shall be able to narrate to my grand children. There was this huge wild elephant before the rest house. Its behavior was bewildering. It gripped us all with great fear. This giant would move towards our building menacingly and then retreat a few steps. Then advance again. And retreat again. We panicked. All of us were certain that this was the same elephant we had disturbed earlier in the day. And he had decided to punish us for the sacrilege. This is the grand finale, we thought. Think about it. For fifteen minutes, we witnessed this sight. I still feel it was Yamraj himself. He must have had second thoughts or perhaps some mercy at our frantic shouting. In the meantime, the Forester, who had camped in another building, was out with his arms. He fired in the air, I think. But by this time, the elephant had spared us and retreated into the jungles.

Your most beautiful moment at Dudhwa………

The most beautiful, umm…yes! When a saw a large flock of the Red Crested Pochard at Jhadi Tal. Before this event, I had just a seen an odd couple of this beautiful bird.