| If you are a nature lover and wild life enthusiast, | | | | projection room, tourists are shown a very |
| come to Kabini National Park, located in the state | | | | thought-provoking documentary titled, "Nagarhole: |
| of Karnataka, India. It is named after the River | | | | Tales from an Indian Jungle". Shot very sensitively |
| Kabini, which flows quietly past this verdant and | | | | and intelligently, and it's message was not lost on |
| fertile land. This famous National Park is also | | | | the audience. |
| alternatively known as the Nagarhole National Park | | | | The somber mood with which the documentary |
| and Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread over 55 acres of | | | | film leaves on the viewer, is lightened up at dinner |
| land, this National Park was once the favourite | | | | time. The Forest Dining Room, resembles an open |
| hunting grounds of Maharajas and British Viceroys. | | | | air hunting lodge, where one joins the rest of the |
| This is very much evident when you survey the | | | | tourists for a buffet dinner. The courteous and |
| well-maintained hunting lodge, which is now run by | | | | well trained staff has something to suit any palate. |
| the Karnataka State Tourism Development | | | | The fresh air, and being in the lap of Mother |
| Corporation, under the aegis of the Jungle Lodges | | | | Nature seems to work wonders on appetites |
| Enterprise. On offer are a menu of options for | | | | here. |
| tourists to stay over at this scenic paradise: | | | | A wake-up call at 6:00 am in the morning signals |
| cottages, colonial style rooms, and tents. | | | | the beginning of another fun-packed day at the |
| It was almost dusk when we arrived here, but | | | | Nature Reserve. Packed into special jungle safari |
| the Park authorities proved to be extremely | | | | jeeps, in groups of six, the company of tourists |
| hospitable. We were booked in a lovely brick-finish | | | | get ready for any exciting sighting in the wild. If |
| cottage, dimly lit, with comfortable and modern | | | | one is lucky, there is no knowing what wonderful |
| interiors. A meeting with the rest of the tourists, | | | | sight may meet your eyes; a wild dog, a member |
| a medley of people comprising students, families, | | | | of the Cat Family, or maybe a wild bison. |
| foreigners etc., was held at the "Gol Ghar" (Round | | | | Needless to say, keep your cameras ready for |
| House), an open-air dining space, built as a hunter's | | | | that split-second occasion. |
| pavilion. Here, after a short introductory talk, the | | | | The real thrill of our adventure trip turned out to |
| group is divided into groups of six to seven by | | | | be the absolutely exhilarating motor-boat ride |
| experienced forest guides, who led us to a jungle | | | | which we went on, down the back-waters of the |
| safari jeep, for an evening safari. Excitement | | | | River Kabini, home to several land and avian |
| ensued, as for many, it was for a first time | | | | creatures. The bamboo thickets and damp soil |
| experience of a drive around a natural forest, | | | | had provided us with sights like not-so-old tiger |
| famous for it's tigers, elephants, deer, bison and | | | | pug marks, and tiger dropping. Along the river |
| jackals. Besides, the chances of seeing a nocturnal | | | | banks, in amazingly green and wonderous |
| predator is higher in the evening hours. | | | | surroundings, the sighting of an entire elephant |
| As with any other nature park, it is entirely the | | | | family, greedily ripping out the thick bamboo from |
| luck of the individual as to any experience with an | | | | the soil was a sight straight from the National |
| actual tiger sighting. Wild life parks are by nature | | | | Geographic channel: an unforgettable scene. |
| spread over a vast territory, and predatory | | | | The backwaters of the Kabini River also happens |
| animals take care not to knowingly come into any | | | | to be home for an endangered species of squirrel: |
| kind of human contact. However, the sight of a | | | | The Giant Red Malabar Squirrel. Very active, but |
| variety of deer, bison, monkeys and birds is a | | | | shy, these creatures like to survey people from |
| treat for any nature lover. | | | | the safety of their tree tops and branches. The |
| The Nagarhole National Park is actively involved in | | | | mildly cloudy weather, clear waters, and the sheer |
| a number of environmental issues, which include | | | | serenity is a sheer treat, and is something that |
| research into animal behaviour vis-à-vis | | | | every person should experience. |
| human encroachment into forest land. At a large | | | | |