Ten Ways to celebrate the Tiger in the wild.

28 Jul, 2020


A glimpse of the Royal Bengal Tiger in the wild inspires awe. His assured languid gait and piercing eyes, that tawny glint of his skin amidst the green brown of the Indian forests - Panthera tigris, he mesmerises. 
 
 
Every one of us has a favourite ‘sher darshan’ when the apex predator walked into your vision for the first time and life has never been the same again. You have then either become an obsessive wildlife traveller to capture every Tiger in the Indian forests or often dream about going back for another eye-to-eye encounter. Then there are also those like me who often dream of the eyes of the Tiger, that questioning ‘what are you doing here ?’ look that makes you want to go back to see him again and again.
 
 


How do I love thee.....

1. Begin with choosing a time of the year when you are sure that the National Park will be less crowded. This will also enhance your Tiger experience. Tadoba for instance in open through most of the year. Stay at Svasara Jungle Lodge to experience conscious and well curated safaris. If you can brave the heat, choose summer when the grass is low and tigers usually seek watering holes to cool down.

2. Head to a park that is not well known and discover the joy of uninterrupted and almost private safaris. Panna Tiger Reserve is an excellent option, stay at Sarai at Toria close to the park on the picturesque river Ken.

3. Choose a lodge that is well away from the crowds and allows you entry from gates with fewer safari jeeps. Jamtara Wilderness Lodge is a great example.

4. Take as many safaris into the park as possible to optimise your time inside the park. Look out for buffer zone options as some parks offer this as in the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. However do skip a safari or two and explore the tribal villages around. The tiger has not survived in isolation, his chance interactions with local people is the source of living heritage as art and folk lore. They add flavour to your Tiger story.

5. Walk the forests to know your Tiger better. Some forests like Satpura allow this activity. Stay at Reni Pani Jungle Lodge and follow your naturalist as he decodes the jungle for you. You will discover signs of the apex predator as he rambles like the king he is around his home, the forests. That impressive pug mark denotes his size, age and agility; scratch marks high on tree trunks indicate his height, scent as he marks his territory and scats will give you a glimpse into his diet.

6. Be curious and listen to your naturalists and ask every question you have about the Tiger’s life, behaviour and habitat. A naturalist fluent with Tiger behaviour is a delight. Engage with the park guide ( mandatory for safaris in India ), some of them have surprising insights.

7. On a safari if you are lucky to see a Tiger walk alongside your safari vehicle, make a charge or cross your path - stay quiet, ditch the camera and enjoy the moment. Don’t crowd or demand to be taken closer or overtake others, don’t exclaim or chatter. Encourage others to follow good forest etiquette. Make this a personal moment not one for social media.

8. The forest has rules for timings, use of camera and film equipment, restriction on speed and zone entry, age limit for children, mobile phone usage. Ensure you are well versed with the rules and that your driver and naturalist follow the rules and you don’t goad them to break it.

9. Choose to stay with conservation oriented Lodges as much as possible, Kipling Camp in Kanha is a fine example of a participative lodge we call Friends of the Forest. Staying with people who work for the protection of Tigers is a revelation and gives you an insight into challenges faced by one of the most endangered animals of our forests.

10. Go to National Parks and Tiger Reserves for the wildlife experience, to party you may head to the beach or to the city. Finally don’t obsess about the Tiger, as Jim’s Jungle Retreat in Corbett puts out for its guests - Seek the Tiger, Find the Jungle ! And that is the big picture. 



For to love is....

To return home at eventide with gratitude;
and then to sleep with a prayer
for the beloved in your heart
and a song of praise on your lips.
Khalil Gibran