Nagzira Nov 21

Nagzira

The last weekend of November 2021, I planned a jungle trip with one of my school friends, she introduced me to the group icampers led by Mr. Kedar Kulkarni, an engineer by profession who follows his passion as a wildlife enthusiast. The long weekend in the Nagzira was organised and coordinated by this gentleman, where a group of working people, students and retired couple came together. My friend unfortunately had to cancel her trip and I was unsure if I should continue alone. After a few more hassles I did board the train and the next morning we all met at Nagpur Railway station. The journey to the Nagzira wildlife sanctuary started from there, we travelled in cars, it took us about three hours to reach the sanctuary which is located between the districts of Gondia and Bhandara. After crossing the first gate of Navegaon Nagzira we reached the sanctuary. We entered from the west gate of Chorkhamara, formalities of verifying the identities of the people entering, getting a guide and being assigned to a vehicle for the daily safaris took place. All this sounds simple, but it entailed a lot of meticulous coordination by the leader, Kedar. Thanks to him and Swati, my friend I was able to experience this amazing place.

The first impression on entering the forest is of tall majestic trees, more than 100 years old and few bear witness for 200 years now. Out of the many species, the ones that drew my attention were Terminalia tomentosa, commonly called crocodile bark due to the characteristic bark pattern. Sterculia urens, ghost tree commonly called bhutya in marathi. Bamboos, teak are seen interspersed with shrubs and many woody climbers.

Terminalia tomentosa 

Sterculia urens

Hanging spider webs of the giant wood spider along the cart track kind of reminds us that the forest is not disturbed, the webs remain strong and intact with the female spider hanging right in the centre of the web.

As we proceed further in the core area, the forest gets denser and lesser sun rays pierce the tree cover. It had rained a few days before; the weather was pleasant. Many water holes, nallahs and lakes are seen where the wildlife can be sighted.       

I came to know that Nagzira is home to tigers, leopards, dholes, sloth bears, hyenas, spotted deer, bisons, gaurs, sambars, nilgais etc. We were lucky to spot few herds of spotted deer every time we stepped out for the safari. Also herds of sambar, Indian gaurs and bisons. Many calls of monkeys, peacocks, sambar were heard several times to alert the presence of leopard or tiger but not all of us were able to sight one!

The highlight of this trip was the dholes also called the wild dogs, bright orange coloured with a bushy black long tail. They are a such a sight! We saw them circling and hunting a small sambar which was quick enough to enter the lake and escaped with a splash :) the wild dogs were on the banks waiting for the kill but it didn't happen. We got some good shots though.

           

The last safari ended witnessing the wild dogs with their kill and we could have stayed watching them more :)

The sanctuary has an astonishing variety of butterflies and birds. I didn't catch all the names of the butterflies though I got to see some incredible colours. I have seen and heard about some birds before but this time I could remember the names and relate better with the birds. I am compiling the list so that I don't forget them :)

Many peacocks (featureless phase), Golden Oriole, black hooded oriole, red vented bulbul, jungle owlet, scope owl, crested hawk eagle, yellow throat sparrow, Indian grey hornbills, jungle babblers, Indian roller, Oriental magpie Robin, black drongo, white bellied drongo, racquet tailed drongo, jungle fowl, rose ring parakeet, plum headed parakeets, white breasted kingfisher, pied kingfisher, flameback woodpecker, red spurfowl, white eyed buzzard, honey buzzard, rufous treepie, shikra etc.

I came out of the sanctuary feeling very special and privileged to have seen the wild flora and fauna at such close quarters. Thanks and cheers to the group too for making it a memorable visit.