This week I don’t feel like going out for a picnic. Instead, I want to introspect. I want to go deep into the forest, and find out why we can’t co-exist peacefully, happily together. I mean the forest and us. So let’s go someplace where the soul of the forest resides. Let’s talk to it; let’s find out its grievances and let’s find an honest answer to why the forests are shrinking? Why there have been 13 leopard deaths in just over 2 months? Because every time a leopard dies, he/she leaves behind a family of wife, children or sometimes just the children left all alone in the world. As much as we grieve for a child left without parents after a tragedy, these innocent animals also deserve our sympathies. And not just that, but a direct effort to help them out.
Almost every week, the local newspaper’s headlines shriek at us about capture, injury and death of yet another ‘guldaar’ (a sub-species of leopard). Most of them are trapped and killed. The causes are many – the increasing human population and thereby reducing forest cover for the animals, fear and protection of crops and villages by laying traps, or sheer greed for their precious skins and bones.
Rajaji National Park is situated adjacent to Dehradun city and runs alongside the roads to Roorkee and Haridwar. It has an area of 820.42 sq km, and is open to visitors from mid-November to mid-June. Its rich bio-diversity and beautiful spans make it one of the most popular National Parks in India. Sadly, it’s population of ‘guldaars’ also make it attractive for poachers. It has birding, elephant safaris and jeep rides, offering a mesmerizing experience of the Park. It also has 10 Forest Rest Houses spread over the Park, out of which 7 are in working condition and offer comfortable staying options.
So the next Sunday or so, visit the Rajaji National Park. For a picnic, if you must, or a jolly good ride through the forest. Spend a nice leisurely day admiring the beauty and richness of the forest. Wander across its various spots, as the Park guides will point out to you. Take an Elephant safari, and while he takes you around happily to show you his world, think over why many of his brethren get killed by trains that pass through his habitat. And why they get angry and romp in the villages, if they have such a beautiful place for a home, if only it is left alone for them.
Oh, and if you come across the soul of the forest, just stay silent, and let your soul do the talking. Just for a few minutes, let everything fall silent, let all worries leave you and let the sounds and smell around you take over. The soul of the forest has something for everybody. You see, the forest has always given to man everything he has asked for. It just asks for one thing from man – peaceful co-existence. Is that so hard to give?
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