Through The Forest

"If I were to name the three most precious resources of life, I should say books, friends, and nature; and the greatest of these, at least the most constant and always at hand, is nature."---- ~ John Burroughs

So true...!! Often it is not until we step into nature that our senses begin to wake up..... The songs of the birds, the wind, pristine forests are just small hints of the bounty available to 'fill up our senses'. The best imagery– ‘mountains in springtime’, ‘deep blue oceans’, 'nights in the forest'…  remind me of John Denver’s voice and guitar. He gave his audience the richest potential of life strewn so prodigiously at large…Nature is indeed passionate and blissfully romantic. Surrounded on all sides by dense foliage, I firmly grasped my camera this time trying to capture some interesting images of the forest.

Oh, I am still riveted to the scenery!

Kuldiha Forest is one of the most pristine forests in eastern India just about 300 km from Kolkata; though it is not one of the well-known forests of India. Thankfully lack of tourists has worked well for the forest…The aqueous light, the hills helmeted with dense foliage, wildflowers, the sibilant bird calls --all wait eagerly holding hands to turn our attention.

Two forest bungalows are the only places where one can stay. There are Swiss tents also at Kuldiha. Both the locations have their own charm. The salt lick at Kuldiha is the best spot for sighting wildlife, particularly elephants, gaur, wild boar and deer. Though, we could only see wild boar and deer. The forest guards and guides are helpful. They often escort visitors through the woods. Such treks are enchanting, often revealing rock pools, streams, reservoirs otherwise hidden by the tangy undergrowth that abounds the forest floor. 

The cold and dark forest, fallen leaves, fog absorbed by the tall trees, spray of autumn colors dissolving in the growing light,  a misty odor in the air , play of light and shade on the water make one completely light-headed and dizzy . Ah, only if I could continue to stay that way….

I would let the pictures talk now....

KULDHIA FOREST BUNGALOW...

STROLLING THROUGH THE DENSE FOREST......

Pinpricks of Sunlight streaming through the tree-tops. Winding course  looped in deep curves....

Kuldhia is an Avian Utopia...sadly, the hoopoe was too restless...

The nights were mysterious and eerie. The Nilagiri hills looked like black waves in the darkness..

A Sloth bear came looking for food at night just outside the forest Bungalow...it looked eerie!

Rays of the Morning Sun plunge, scatter and burst into the forest...

The greenish water and the approaching dusk made the atmosphere totally sinister to say the least -

It didn't take us long to sight this deadly Cobra's dead skin...

A CLOSER LOOK....

A MASS OF ANT-HILL....Bears love them it seems

Tangled Mangrove Roots...silent and threatening!!

The green foliage, animals, birds and  reservoirs indicate that the forest canopy is in good state... Though poaching is slowly becoming a problem....

Riccia Dam....just before Sunset..

PANCH-ARJUNA TREE.....we stopped the vehicle to click the photograph...

 How could anyone deny the Creator and His glory and believe that nature just simply happened...?

The impression was heightened by the colors and reflections....

'Be grateful for the day you have, the people around you, and the nature that embraces you ....'  

A camera-shy wild buffalo took off as soon as he saw me with my camera....

 The massive individual rocks wedged firmly together... 

At the entrance....the planks are raised at night to prevent games entering the resort

Friends for over 32 years....lost in the music of the forest...

Loved those lazy Malabar Giant Squirrels ....

Scarlet Mini bet.... the above pic is from net~

Emerald Dove...

Accommodation is only available at the Forest Bungalows. Solar lights are used in the bungalows. 

For Booking contact: Mr. Manoranjan Das (Mobile: 09937332552)