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Bharatpur

Jeep Safari in Lahaul  & Trek Chandrataal

Photograph and Content Courtesy Mr.  Mr.Akash Dutta

We went by train and reached therer at 8pm. Taking an auto rickshaw, we went stright to the Sanctuary area to find some hotel. It is a good idea to stay near the Sanctuary as the best time to go bird watching is in early morning. Due to seasonal rush we got a high priced hotel (by our standards) at Rs. 700/- per double-bed room. Our party comprised of Vineet, KD, Bharat, Parikshit & Me.

Early next morning we started for Bird watching. The Sanctuary open at 6am. We were a little late and managed to start our day at 6.45 am. We hired a guide Deepak - a small kid around 16 years from a local village. The best way to go around the Park is by A bicycle. It costs Rs.40/- for the whole day. Rickshaws and Tongas are also available for the weaker people (HA). The idea is to avoid using air and sound polluting vehicles to keep the birds coming back in the future.

The actual Sanctuary start 2 km inside the main gate. The layout is like this, there is a mettaled road and on both sides is marsh land dotted with trees. These marshes provide excellent food in form of worms, insects, etc for the birds and the trees give them room for nests. The birds to be seen here are Indian More Hen, Snake bird, Saras crane, Grey Haron, Sleeping Heron, Weaver bird, Falcon, Owl and more ... and of course the all famous Siberian Cranes. This year (1999) only one pair of Siberian cranes on this land. Besides birds other wildlife like spotted dear, Neel Gai, Pythons, etc.

We took lots of photos but I realised that I had too small a lense to do any serious bird shooting. I could see some people coming with those huse tele-photos and single legged tripods and make me sad. Anyway we still clicked some snaps, especially of the landscapes. There is only one canteen with some cold drinks and biscuits available. So you have to get out of the Sanctuary to have meals.

All along, our guide would tell us the name of the variety of birds.and their specialities, though I donot remember all of them. For most of us one day is enough to see all parts of this sanctuary, though for some serious photography or bird watching at leas three days are required. You should have at leat a 400mm lense to shoot the birds as they are mostly at least 15 metres away from the road. It is not possible to go into the marsh - because there may be snakes, and the authorities would not like it.

We moved continuously for upto 3 pm and saw all parts of the sanctuary. When we went to see the Siberian Cranes, They were deep inside the marshes and were not visible. So we went ahead to see the Python Point, where you can expect to see as many as 20 pythons together if you are lucky - and we were not. we waited more than 30 mins for one python to show up but to our despair, the wait only made us feel hungry and thirsty. Our guide Deepak offered to take us to his house for lunch and we agreed.

Wherever we friends have gone for outing, we have made rapport with the guide, or the driver. When we went to Chandrataal our driver was so involved with us that we used to exchange letters and we sent him some photographs of that trip to Chandrataal. Here in Bharatpur too, this kid was kind to invite us and we gladly accepted hoping to feel the life in village.

It was just as we expected. The house was big and neat. The whole flore was plastered with mixture of cowdung and clay. The food was prepared on Chulha or earthen oven and Deepak's mother made roti Brinjal ann Buthua Raita (Curd with Bathua). I had never tasted such food and the love and unconditional care involved in their service brought more happiness than anything in the world. They did not charge for the food.

We then moved back into the Sanctuary and set oiut for the grand finale. In the evening the Siberian Cranes often show up near the road. And that indeed happened. Approaching the Siberian Crane Point, we saw a huge crown of photographes flocking to capture this magestic bird on film. But as we nearned the cranes suddenly flew off in a semi-circle over my head and in to the far-away marshes. I just got to see the cranes in flight for 4-5 seconds and they never return to the road.

Half happy on seeing the cranes, we started our return journey , stopping at the sun-set point. The same evening we started for Delhi with memories of birds and the unforgettable lunch in the simple village home.