Safaricha dusara divas, Wardha ani Sevagram

Second day we had organized another safari early morning. We started at around 6 am.

It was very cloudy and cool as it had rained decently in the forest. We entered the forest and after a few kms ride, we spotted a big male Indian Gaur. Usually these animals like to stay in groups but old males get challenged from young ones and they are left alone. It was great to watch him grazing from such a close distance.
Start of the safari seemed to be good. We were hoping to get a sight of tiger. We went to the places where tigers were spotted recently but all was in vain. Its rule of the jungle that animals keep an eye on us all the time but we notice them only when they want us to :)

Besides, we could see crocodiles resting along the shore of rivers,  serpent eagle from close distance. Thats nothing less than bonus. Also, the scratches created on the high trees after climb of bear in the hunt of honey.
Overall it was great to be part of wonderful nature, to listen the nature calls and experience it from the bottom heart. Destination does not matter but the moments we spend in the journey make it memorable.

After the long safari, we arrived back to MTDC resort. Next alternative was to move to Chandrapur or find any other resort in Moharli. But it was of no use since it was difficult to arrange jungle safari. So we decided to move to Wardha where we had to catch our train.

Wardha is a well known place from pre-independence time. Mahatma Gandhi had spent long time in Sevagram close to Wardha city. In those days, it was center of freedom struggle. One can see, Gitai mandir dedicated to Vinoba Bhaves memories and Vishwa Shanti Stupa in the city. They are located close by each other. Then we moved to Sevagram village which is the place where Gandhiji had stayed for long time.

 It is a nice and calm place to visit showcases history of that period. One can imagine how important this place should have been in the time of freedom struggle. We spent more than an hour experiencing the different environment. Around 2 pm, we had a lunch at small restaurant opposite side of Sevagram ashram.
Then we returned back to Wardha to take some rest before we catch the train to Pune.

Tadoba chi Safar

Journey started from Pune with Nagpur Garibrath on 20th Apr, 2011. Plan was to disembark at Wardha station instead of proceeding towards Nagpur. Destination was Moharli village in Chandrapur district.
The east section of Maharashtra (Vidharbha) holds the crown of bounty of forest reserved areas like Tadoba-Andhari, Nagzira, Pench etc.

We reached Wardha 21st Apr morning at 8 am. I had arranged a car to take us to Moharli, MTDC resort.
Moharli is around 180 Kms from Wardha. It was 1 pm when we touched Moharli.
The resort is located amidst the jungle surrounded by a water reservoir.
On the way to Moharli, we can see the thermal electric plant at Chandrapur city. Vidarbha is also known for the most number of thermal power stations.
Since it was a holiday on Friday (22 Apr), the resort was fully occupied. Other private resorts nearby are expensive than MTDC. We could manage to get an accommodation for only one day through one acquaintance, Shalik Jogwe.

He had booked two Jungle safaris as well. One of them was in afternoon the same day we reached there.
Safaris at Tadoba start at 6 am in the morning and 2 pm in afternoon. We had a quick lunch at resort restaurant. It was pretty descent. At 2 pm, we were ready to venture into the land of king tiger.
It was comparatively less hot as it was raining in the region since a week. It was good in a way but bad as well. Since in cooler atmosphere, wild animals tend not to come outside as water is easily available in inner part.

At the entrance gate, we need to pay for the guide and entrance fee along with charges for camera etc.
Core area of the forest is a few kms inside from the entrance gate. Reserved area of the forest is also a beautiful scenery. Ride starts with a left side turn which goes towards a reservoir. One can easily spot animals like spotted dear, sambar etc. Also, variety of birds can be seen along the water. We spotted lesser whistling duck, ibis and many other local birds.



Guide took us to many spots where one can spot the tiger. On the way, we could see the real beauty of nature. Different kind of trees, greenery along the road. Animals like spotted dear, sambar dear, nilgai (blue bull), mighty gava (Indian gaur) showed up on the way giving us the feel that we were now a part of nature.
Besides, we got a lot of information from the guide about the formation of the reserved forest and sanctuary. Also, he told us about the different trees. Tendu is one of the famous trees of the jungle. Its leaves are used in manufacturing of bidis (a kind of cigaret). End of the day, we spotted one sloth bear and we followed him for around 15 mins. It was an amazing experience to watch him in the natural environment and for such a long time. It made our day. Later we tried some other places in the search of the mighty king but was a failure. In the search we could see wild boar and barking dear on the way.