Blood Stained Hands

Posted on by pushpkumarjain

Lord of Alikatta

“There it is”, Shashi Malik points out. Shashi is forester with huge experience of wildlife management. He is the first to sight it. The jeep stops with a screech. A huge male tiger is cooling itself in water saucer deep inside the jungle near Raiya Kassa crossing. The management of the Pench Tiger Reserve, where we are in, has created drinking water facilities for wild animals by way circular, cemented, 10-15 m diameter saucers for animals to drink water from in case it is not naturally available in the region. These saucers are filled by tankers as and when required. There are smaller saucers in areas where tanker may not reach. These are filled manually with hand pumps on one end.

The light is good. The tiger is in no rush. We take score of photos. Generally, it’s difficult to get time to shoot a tiger properly. The light may be bad. It may be hidden in bushes. The distance may be too much. It may be walking ahead and you are watching its bum…

We now wait for some different action or movement by the tiger. While we watch, Shashi notices red strains on the fore limbs of the tiger. These limbs are stretched out of the saucer while most of its rear body is in water. We all look closely, some with binoculars.  It is suspected that the limbs maybe injured. Tiger appears to be making limbs moment cautiously, more so, the left foot, added to the doubt.

The deputy director, K K Gurwani is with us. He gets worried. He knows that a new big male has recently taken to using this area. It has already pushed out another big male, famous as ‘BMW’, from the region.

There is always a possibility of territorial fight between the new one out to grab prime territory from the old established male, who is growing old.

Nevertheless, Gurwani maintains cool. He opines, “Maybe these are minor injuries. Such injuries, tiger is easily able to heal itself by licking. We will keep a watch.”

The discussion continues. Foresters decide that ‘A conclusion can be drawn when the tiger walks. If it limps badly, it will be matter of concern.’

We have been watching the tiger for half an hour but it is in no mood to rise and walk. In the meanwhile, local Deputy Ranger, Gautam Soni, famous man with about three decades of service for the Reserve has arrives. He can notice red strains with naked eyes. Deputy Director directs him to keep a watch and monitor the tiger.

We go around in the nearby area to see why spotted deer are making continuous alarm calls. There has been another tiger, or may be tigress, in the area. But we miss it.

Soon a message is received from Soni about the movement of the tiger. We dash to the spot. When reach, the tiger has left the saucer and we get a mere glimpse of it disappearing deep inside the forest. Soni assures us that all is well. There has been no limp in the walk of the tiger. The smart man has even grabbed video shot. We all see this and are reassured that there is nothing to worry.

A reanalysis of the mystery is done. It is felt that tiger must have made a kill and while handling the animal during feeding has soiled its fore limbs with blood. It is also discussed about the possible that tiger may have got brushes or minor injuries while hunting and tackling a strong animal. In any case, it is not Shakespearean blood stained hands in literal sense.

Pushp

Jupiter & Saturn Kiss!

Posted on by pushpkumarjain

Today, the 21st December 2020, has been the culmination of a rare celestial event, inching towards final for several months.

In my article ‘Once in a blue moon’ in Rashtradoot of Jaipur on 23rd October 2020, I have outlined the forthcoming event and my engagement with sky gazing.   

It so happened that since onset of Covid 19 and beginning of lockdown in India in March, I have done little movement for several months. In fact, I am still taking precautions and go out of home once in a while only, except for regular walks. There has been really no travel outside Delhi.

I have occupied myself in our terrace garden – spending lot of time in morning and evening in the gardening activity.  In evening, it has been more laid back. After watering the plants, and little tit-bit i.e. some cutting here, some covering of plant there, it’s been a question of enjoying evening tea with these beauties and amazing world around. Being on terrace, I have open sky overhead as my beautiful natural umbrella. As luck will have it, Corona has been a blessing in disguise as far as Delhi’s pollution is concerned. One could see clear blue sky during day and stars during night for summer and monsoon months.  

All these months, until the onset of winter, each evening till little later into the night, I have been enjoying glancing at sky. I have watched several celestial events with naked eye and shared with friends and others interesting photographs taken with iPhone and Nikon D90 (with 300 telephoto lens) through WhatsApp, Facebook, Blog and articles. By the way, Moon watching and photography is simple and does not need much effort.

My first real honey moon with sky has been on 5th July on Guru Purnima – Special Full Moon. I have been prepared and take good pictures and share with friends. But, it so happened that past mid-night, I glance outside my balcony. I notice bright chandni – lighting up all nooks and corners. Moon too is there, bang in the middle of the sky in its East-West path. But I notice one star close to the moon.  It is extraordinarily bright and little larger than a normal star. I take a quick photo with mobile. A little later, I check for celestial formations that night and come to know that this bright star is, in fact, JUPITER! My excitement and joy has been beyond measure.

  • Full Moon (7 May 2020) Pushp Jain
  • Guru Purnima Full Moon & JUPITER (5 July 2020)
  • SATURN (top left), JUPITOR (top right) and Moon (below centre) – (25 Sept 2020)
  • Jupiter & Saturn Conjunction 21 Dec 2020

The climax comes on 25th September when Jupiter, a noticeable star and Moon, which has been little more than half (Waxing Gibbous with 65% illumination), form a rather unique triangle and watchable sight. I immediately look up the subject online and I spring up from chair and see the sky again, rub my eyes and see the sky again and once again. Amazing, the ‘noticeable star’ is actually SATURN!

A little more study reveals that this conjunction is leading to upcoming ‘great conjunction’ of Jupiter and Saturn on 21st December 2020. Though the last ‘great conjunction’ of Jupiter and Saturn was two decades ago on 28th May 2000 but this time it will be their closest conjunction since 1623 i.e. in four centuries!!

Now with the onset of winter and unlocking in the city as well as increase in pollution from various sources, my sky watching has been reduced a great deal. But even with a casual glance, I can see some common developments. I regularly notice that Jupiter is being followed by Saturn. I can make it out because Jupiter looks very bright and Saturn though looks small but is yellow-brown, as well as from their position vis-à-vis each other.

As the event neared, I felt like notifying friends and acquaintances but do not do so. Actually these days hardly few people take interest in what happens on ground what to say in sky! Their main focus is on what happens to pocket! Nevertheless, given the importance of the celestial event, there have been many articles in national and international media.

Today, I do inform my forester friend, Ramesh Dave, about the event since he has taken great interest previously whenever I shared photos and details of various celestial events. He is excited and keen to know how, when and where to locate the planets.

The problem with watching Jupiter and Saturn has been that they start their south-westward journey early during day. In September, they used to be in middle of the sky by late evening.  By and by, this time has been getting more towards the daylight while the distance between the two great planets kept reducing.  

I am on terrace by 5.30 pm. The Sun has set.  There is still some light. I can see half-Moon clearly. But I am apprehensive, for unexpectedly, there are bit of clouds in the sky. Since I have started looking early, I thought I may see the planets in middle of the sky. On the other end in Bhopal, Ramesh is also anxious. He messages around 6 pm that he has not been able to see the conjunction. I too haven’t.

Suddenly, few minutes later, while scanning the whole sky closely, I notice a Jupiter like object way down, south-west-ward. May be because of some cloud or pollution it is not clear. I quickly take out a binocular, and see. Oh! There they are, crystal clear – I can see, the Saturn which I used to see as following Jupiter in North-East to South-West journey is today riding above the bright Jupiter. Surely the distance between them is very little, say one tenth of what I have seen on 25th September i.e. about two months ago! I am trembling with excitement. I immediately call Ramesh to tell him about the great find and location. In less than a minute he calls back, equally excited to say cheers. It is so exciting that I feel as if I am sailing in the sky. It has been so fulfilling to watch these too great planets kissing each other, so to say. Soon, this is all in news with close ups and stories. Alas, I do not have special photo equipment to shoot celestial bodies and events but I do grab one shot for record. Also, the picture is imprinted in mind brain.

Guys, you can also enjoy the bliss for this celestial event will be visible on subsequent late evenings as well, though distance between Jupiter and Saturn would start increasing by and by. Incidentally, this conjunction has been nicknamed ‘Christmas Star’!

Pushp Jain

Kaner – Looks good, feels good, smells good

Posted on by pushpkumarjain

I remember when I used to get tired at my office in Greater Kailash 1 in Delhi; I will take a walk in a nearby park in the afternoon or evening.  Luckily, This has been large by Delhi standard, may be 10-12 acre, rectangular park, well laid out – old and new trees have been growing along the boundary, walk-way runs 10-15 feet inside the boundary with green, thick, three feet high, hedge on both edge. While enjoying the leisurely stroll, I am attracted to yellow trumpet shaped flowers of Kaner lying on the hedge during June to October. There are quite a few, maybe more than a dozen Kaner along the walkway. Invariably, I will pick few fresh flowers. These are about 3 inch long, delicate yellow with a hint of light green along the edge of petals which overlap, curl and fold into a beautiful trumpet or sleek bell.  Invariably, I will take each close to nostril and aha! What a soothing smell, I just love it, though it may sound strong to some.  This will go right down to my heart and brain. I will smile within and feel light and transported to the other heavenly landscape. For next, half an hour, these 2-3 flowers will be my companion. I will glance and smell them now and again and all my stress evaporate. Many a times, these used to end up on my office table for rest of the day.

Now, the Covid-19 has disturbed not only proverbial apple cart but all the carts – No office, walks, travel to forest or wildlife reserves.

What comes handy in this crisis period is my terrace garden. My garden has become non-descriptive with lack of attention and input – few Money Plant, Mor Pankhi (Thuja – Platycladus orientalis), Tusli (Ocimum sanctum) and some non-flowering rose bushes. But yes, about half a dozen, Sada Bahar (Catharanthus roseus), true to their name continued to bloom in spite of all odds. It has been only September last year (2019) that I started giving attention to the garden and within three-four months this becomes an amazing sight. Organic fertiliser, nirai-gudai, proper and timely watering, replacing the old plants and bringing in new plants particularly flowering ones added kaleidoscopic touch. Now, since March, the disaster of home confinement has been less painful because of this garden. I spend about two hours in the morning and one hour in the evening to attend to plants and enjoy the blooms. In fact, I have shared the joy of my garden blooms, virtually on daily basis, on WhatsApp with friends and some of them have been jealous. They wonder how I can save my flowers in sizzling heat of May-June.

With general interest in plants, I have been keeping an eye on our residential block small park as well. I ensure that it is watered in time, fertiliser is applied now and again and plants are trimmed and trees are pruned. We are lucky that even this small park has about a dozen trees. And prized among them are Haar Singar (Parijat/Night Flowering Jasmine – Nyctanthes arbor-tristis), Gudhal (Hibiscus spp.), Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata) and KANER.

Talking of Kaner, most of you must have seen this. The tree or sometimes shrub, about 2 to 8 metre high is common in urban areas planted in gardens and parks. I look up literature to know more about the species. For your information if you don’t know, Kaner’s scientific name is Cascabela thevetia (synonym: Thevetia peruviana), a native of Mexico and Central America. It is planted across the world as ornamental. Kaner is ‘drought resistant and tolerant to high temperatures, hence found in various states of India like Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh where semi-arid climate is prevalent’ (Wikipedia).

I have noticed that the tree itself is not noticeable. It is generally small. The trunk is not of uniform shape but is attractive green in young trees which turns silver or greyish in old ones. But being evergreen with thick foliage it provides good shade round the year.

The sword shaped leaves are whorled around thin green stems. These are long and narrow, shiny dark green above and pale, light green below. Flowers, of course, are the best part of the species. These are generally yellow. I have seen very few trees bearing orange flowers but I understand that there are other varieties as well including white one.  Fruits are attractively shaped, light green when young but darken to deep red-black on ripening. I may add a word of caution about the species – All parts of Kaner are toxic to most vertebrates though ‘few bird species including sunbirds, koel, red-whiskered bulbul, white-browed bulbul, red-vented bulbul, brahminy myna, common myna and common grey hornbill are known to feed on them without any ill effects.’ Nevertheless, ‘All parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine. The oil extracted from the seeds is used externally to treat skin maladies and to make soap. The bark is a powerful antiperiodic and febrifuge. Mashed seeds with a soap solution are used as an insecticide. (Schmelzer, 2006; Useful Tropical Plants, 2020).

Today, I enter the gated block park and pick few Kaner flowers and smell. Oh! Same nice and intoxicating smell. My office days refresh in my mind. I feel cheerful. I look up and see the mosaic of yellow in pleasant vibrant green foliage all over. Though the tree is small, but it is loaded with flowers and fruits. And yes, some conical buds are itching to bloom any minute!

As I stand beside the tree, admiring and filling myself with details, I notice one thing which I have not seen previously. There are about a score of honey bees, hovering in and around the tree! I step back a little to avoid disturbing them but then I notice they are very busy and least disturbed by my presence. I keep my eye focussed on one flower. I notice a honey bee enters the flower easily but at the end where the real stuff is, it has to virtually fold its body to circle around. May be in 8-10 seconds it emerges out. Does it look satisfied, I don’t know? Likewise, I notice about half a dozen flowers and find bees are visiting them regularly. And it seems that one visit does not mean the nectar is finished, for in few minutes another, or maybe the same bee again visits flower.

I observe the bee closely and find it is Giant Honey Bee (Apis dorsata), quite clear from body pattern, colour and size (almost one inch long).  Incidentally, I can make out the bees I am watching are female worker bees (Queen Bee has very dark, almost black body and drones (male) have round body.) Apis dorsata is native of South and Southeast Asia, mostly found in forest but can be seen in urban areas as well, as in present case. But mind you, these ‘bees are known for their aggressive defense strategies and vicious behaviour when disturbed.’

I am happy that not only me but other creatures are also enjoying the flowers. And furthermore, I understand Shiva too loves Kaner. I have seen our neighbour regularly collects Kaner flowers for worshipping the lord!

Pushp Jain

Blister Beetle – Attractive though Toxic

Posted on by pushpkumarjain

My friend, Ritwick Dutta, calls to invite me for a visit to his family farm. No question of declining the offer or a second thought, I immediately say “yes”. In these corona days it is rare to go out. In fact, I am raring to go.

Thinking back, during these seven months, I have visited few family members and friends, maybe in all, half a dozen times! These too were local visits. This has been like a confinement for a bird like me who loves to fly and fly – it used to be at least one if not two wilderness tours every month. Friends and acquaintances call and first thing, as a routine, they ask, “How are you?” My response is not typical. I say, “कहने को तो ठीक है, पर ठीक नहीं है। फसे हुए हैँ।”

They do not expect such response and are confused for how to respond in return. They would sympathise with me and utter some tit bit. But I must admit, regretfully, nobody is really inviting. So I doubly confirm with Ritwick. I can make out he is damn serious.

(I decide to keep this in mind to tell this programme to other friends so that they may also consider inviting me and other near and dear! We should take required precautions but get out the corona fear psychosis!)

We have planned to spend one full day together. I drive to Noida, from there, Ritwick picks me and together in his luxury mini truck, ISUZU, we ride for about 40 km, i.e. about one hour journey from city highway, to National Highway to a tiny district road to a kachcha village road, and reach the farm. Real country side!

While we are passing through the agricultural area, Ritwick tells me about the wildlife sightings in the area, which one may find unusual but true. Nilgai is commonest – not one but in herd consisting of several to a score of animals. Wild boars are common. And also porcupines! In monsoon, he tells me “Snakes are all over the place!”

One very simple and immediate question which comes in mind is the issue of damage to crops by most of these animals and consequently animal-man conflict! Ritwick has also thought of it seriously. He finds that the animals’ number is not that great and the damage is thinly divided over hundreds of farmers and impact is tolerable, thus, these animals survive here!

When we talk about a farm in urban circles, immediately people say “Wow! Farm House”. In fact, farm house, is hardly a farm. It is more of a palatial house with some green lawns and few trees on the boundary! What Ritwick has developed, and is still in the process of developing, is a farm where actual cereal and vegetable crops are grown and in between there are patches of different groves – scrub area, bushy area, marshy area, woody area…

This goes well with what Ritwick is. As many of you know, Ritwick is an eminent environmental lawyer! This is not only his profession – Environment is close to his heart. In fact, he is avid wildlifer as well. Whenever, he finds time, he loves to visit wilderness. That is one of the reasons that we gel well!

So in nutshell, the idea is that different patches may attract different types of natural diversity – insects, butterflies and moths; toads and frogs; feeding, roosting and nesting birds; snakes; small mammals etc. And quite a bit of it is already here, which brings me to the subject of this blog.

While, Ritwick is taking me around the farm, we come to a plant, swarming with fiery bright reddish-orange and black colour insects. They are not few but several hundreds! The humming sound is noticeable. The plant is about 12-13 feet high, not a tree, but some shrub with thin stem and thinner branches rising almost vertically upwards. In fact, this is a clump of few plants growing very close to each other as one. The canopy is very sparse and almost entirely open. The leaves are small and I can see yellowish-green small flowers and fruits. Ritwick tells me “This is Arhar.” Oh! The common dal – we eat so often. In fact, Arhar or yellow dal is the most used not only in Delhi or north region but in whole India. I have seen Arhar in fields but it is few feet high plant and a regular crop in many areas. Ritwick tells me, “Purposefully, I have left few plants to grow wild.” Indeed, I can see the unbelievable result of this small act.

Ritwick steps back when he sees the insects. Ritwick tells me “It is blister beetle.” I do not recollect seeing this insect before. It’s large, maybe around two inches long. On zooming, it looks monstrous, with shiny black body and parts which are equipped with what looks like knife, saw, club and what not!  

I am attracted to the sight – the colour and number of insects. It looks like as if the shrub is loaded with bright orange-red-black flowers! My iPhone comes handy. I take several pictures with it. I go closer to take close ups. Ritwick warns me, “These beetles are toxic!” He meant the bite is painful and little poisonous. I ignore the warning and manage some good shots, ducking a little whenever some insect flew near me.

Later, I look at some literature online and find Blister Beetles belong to the family Meloidae of the order Coleoptera. There are 107 species of Blister Beetles reported from India out the global record of 2250 species. I find, the one I have watched is Orange Blister Beetle (Mylabris pustulata). Regarding toxicity, it is said, the beetle exudes yellow fluid containing cantharidin which causes blisters on human skin and thus the name. In fact, the insect advertises its toxicity by bright colours. Interesting part is that the toxic chemical is commercially extracted and is ‘used as a medicine in different diseases and is also used in cosmetics, hair oil, etc.’ 

In closing, I must say, “This has been among one of those good days which are best.” It has been leisurely enjoying tea, coffee, snacks, parathas, sweets… and walks between muli and gajar… and cows and bull… and in bonus have this tremendously interesting beetle!

Pushp Jain

Slug it out

Posted on by pushpkumarjain

Slug & Carpenter ant

This is a rapid one. No, no, not the rapid test, but a rapid blog piece. Last night as I go down for a stroll, at the end of stairs, I see this creature – moist, pulpy, sandy brown, roundish crawling thing.  It’s about three inches long with two sets of tentacles or feelers or probes on the head. The top one is about a cm and below one about half of that.  I can see a shiny-silvery trail being left behind as it very slowly moves forward. No, it’s not attractive! But then in nature, all creatures are important and part of the scheme of things.

I do not understand what the guy has in mind. It seems to be going around randomly, as is evident from the trail – zig-zag, circle, straight?? I take few pictures with mobile. I notice a large carpenter ant is equally amazed as well as puzzled and comes to see the creature closely! I get a good picture of this unique interaction. Sub-consciously, a feature of the creature registers in my mind – in middle of the body, on the right side, nearer to the ground there is some very small stuff attached to the body.

I have seen this creature quite a few times but never bothered to find more about it. After coming back from walk, I decide to explore a little more about the guy. But where do I start? I swear, this just came to my mind out of the blue ‘Is it a slug?’

And slug it turns out to be!!! A detailed Wikipidia article[1] is worth using here to slug it out.

Generally, slug is a shell-less terrestrial gastropod mollusc. It is also common name of any gastropod mollusc that has no shell, a very reduced shell, or only a small internal shell.

Now, here I realise, that the stuff I noticed on the side of the body of the slug, can be ‘a very reduced shell’ and enlarging my photos a little I find this to be so! Interesting.

Here, I also get the answer for the two pairs of ‘feelers’ I see in the creature I have seen. ‘Land slugs have two pairs of ‘feelers’ or tentacles on their head. The upper pair is light sensing and has eyespots at the ends, while the lower pair provides the sense of smell.’ And can you believe, ‘Both pairs are retractable.’

Slug with Marking

And do you know slug also has a foot? The word foot here is highly misleading. Actually, ‘the bottom side of a slug, which is flat, is called the ‘foot’.’

The article further reveals, ‘Like almost all gastropods, a slug moves by rhythmic waves of muscular contraction on the underside of its foot. It simultaneously secretes a layer of mucus that it travels on, which helps prevent damage to the foot tissues.’  So now I know that the shiny-silvery line behind the slug is ‘a layer of mucus’ being left behind as the guys goes around.

Furthermore, this mucus stuff is not that simple. There is a twist in the tail. I find that ‘Slugs produce two types of mucus: one is thin and watery, and the other thick and sticky. The thin mucus spreads from the foot’s centre to its edges, whereas the thick mucus spreads from front to back. Slugs also produce thick mucus that coats the whole body of the animal. The mucus secreted by the foot contains fibres that help prevent the slug from slipping down vertical surfaces. The “slime trail” a slug leaves behind has some secondary effects: other slugs coming across a slime trail can recognise the slime trail as produced by one of the same species, which is useful in finding a mate. Body mucus provides some protection against predators, as it can make the slug hard to pick up and hold by a bird’s beak, for example, and the mucus itself can be distasteful.’

I wonder what a slug will be eating. Well the information is ‘Most species of slugs are generalists, feeding on a broad spectrum of organic materials, including leaves from living plants, lichens, mushrooms, and even carrion.’

Lastly, though slugs may look good for nothing but scientists tell us, ‘Slugs play an important role in the ecosystem by eating decaying plant material and fungi’ – they slug it out.

Next time you find one you also slug it out and see how interesting it is.

Pushp Jain

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slug

I steal but without greed

Posted on by pushpkumarjain

My friend, retired Brigadier writes, “So it has doubled in 20 days!” Yes, indeed. Many others friends respond. Retired PCCF, Rakesh Shah says, “Congratulations. Pushp ji, take care of your money…” Retired PCCF, Suhas Kumar says, “Wonderful. Enjoy your growing money.” Another retired APCCF, J P Sharma says, “Now you have money and more money…”  Retired Director, Wildlife Institute of India, P R Sinha says, “You have your own inimitable way of putting things in interesting ways!” There are numerous thumps up and tit-bits.

This is in response to my ‘WhatsApp’ post few days back on 12 May 2020 – ‘Hi friends, I have no regrets (of lockdown). See how my money has grown in just 20 days! First photo, I had shared with you (earlier also) is of 23 April and second is of today. Money Plant is just wonderful.’

Incidentally, starting point has been when I realised that I have three Money Plants – all different, unique and photogenic. I share this with my friends on WhatsApp. This too happened a teaser posting –

Weather is good

Air is clean

My money is growing

It’s growing in plants

 

Yesterday, while I have been strolling in our residence block, and passed Square’s Garden, I see the big-leaf money plant. I stop. There is a flash back. I realise that I need to share this money plant story with you, which is quite dramatic and is a link to above postings.

This all starts in September last year, when I retire from LIFE (in capital letters, not small!).  We always had several plants on our terrace but with limited care by wife, many have disappeared and others became a maze of non-descriptive plants. I decide that now I have time, I am going to make it into a real good garden. Seeds, seedling trays, fertiliser, ten huge bags of new soil, about a score of one-foot high cement pots… I decide it to be DIY (do it yourself) – No Mali (gardener). Initially, changing soil of all the existing plants and preparing many many new ones is quite tough. Me and wife spent hours in Sun, toiling.  Some vegetable plants start growing fast. So have been some flowering plants e.g. Petunia, Marigold, Rose…

Watering and organic fertiliser, and regular nirai & gudai (weeding and tilling soil) do wonder on plants. Soon, it is very cheerful atmosphere in the terrace garden. Can you believe, I start preparing my own organic fertiliser from kitchen vegetable waste! So much so, I do not need to buy fertiliser anymore!

One day, my eye fell on the big leaf money plant in our block’s garden. The bigger ones are the size of full plate! They are beautifully patterned with whitish and yellowish streaks. The plant is really unique. I know that money plant can grow from any part of stem. One does not have to uproot the whole plant to shift it. Nevertheless, it’s a community land, a sort of commons.

I investigate the plant a little closure one afternoon, when people are mostly resting. There are about 50 leaves. The plant is growing and climbing up around a thick stem tree. I notice that if I take an extension stem of three leaves the plant will not get damaged and there would be very little change in appearance. As it is, nobody bothers about the plants in the square but in case anybody is noticed even touching a plant, whole neighbourhood will rise in revolt.

IMG_3732

I decide, I am going to steal the identified part of the plant! For about a week, I investigated the neighbourhood. I find that around midnight there is nobody out on the street, the watchman dozes off and almost all the houses are inactive from outside.

On the decided night, all is set. I have already hidden a sharp big knife in a bush near the plant. I do not want to be caught with a knife in the middle of the night! I have kept one flower pot ready with soil, fertiliser and water to receive the booty.

The operation is like a ‘Surgical Strike’. I have not told even my wife about the plan. I am sure she would have raised 10 questions. I tip-toy to the garden. I have never been so quiet in using stairs. As soon as I reach the target, it is a matter of few seconds and I am running back with treasure to the terrace. I am breathless, but in one go finish the job of planting the stem and dashing back to bed. Thank god, no neighbour or my wife notices it.

In the morning, I find the plant fine. I glance at the plant in the square. I notice small change but in general there is no gaping hole. Thank god, the operation has gone so well. Most of you may know, how these neighbourhood ladies are!

Next day my heart sinks to see my new plant – the three beautiful leaves are wrinkling! Maybe, it is too sunny. I pull the plant in shade. I add more water. I know in replanting the leaves wrinkle sometime.

But this appears a tragedy. Another day, all the leaves are dead!! I have to remove them. No point in keeping them. The bare stem, a thick one at that about an inch in diameter, stares at me.

I feel like crying. I feel guilty. I think theft is theft. I curse myself for the mistake.

Nevertheless, looking at the stem, I feel it is healthy. With Corona, came the lockdown and house arrest (I mean confinement). I have all the time in the world. And spend more time with plants.  I keep looking at the stem every day – taking care with regular watering, nirai-gudai, added organic fertiliser… It takes two months for a leaf to start forming. I cannot put in words the happiness on seeing the leaf forming one fine morning. I am happy that my stealing has not gone in vain. Maybe god has pardoned my crime.

Today, I am happy. Money Plant has equivalent of all the major currency notes e.g. Rs 2000, Rs 500 and Rs 100. Sorry no lower denominations! It’s only a plant not a bank!

Pushp Jain

 

 

Tigers ka bhi Covid Check Karna Hoga (Tigers too have to be checked for Covid)

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“Chhiter bhai, is it July? I feel it has come too early!” T20 asks from behind the bush.  Chhiter, the forester, whispers, “no no, it is March only.”

T20 is joined by T50 and T61 in the area. They too are confused. They all request Chhiter for an explanation, “It is already 7.30 in the morning. We have not seen a single vehicle. There is not a soul around.”

Chhiter informs them, “See, the Park has been closed because of Covid 19.”  He adds to the disappointment of the tigers, “There is going to be no tourists for some time.”

All the Ts ask in unison, “Is Covid 19 new president of USA? Is he visiting Ranthambhor? Has the Park been closed for his security?”

“Poor guys. You do not read newspapers. Neither, you listen to Arnab or Ravish. How would you know?” Chhiter thinks aloud. Ts are not sure, what Chhiter has on his mind.

Chhiter himself is not sure, what to tell these (illiterate) tigers, for he himself does not understand what this Covid disease is? Yesterday, Manoj sir has come to Jogi Mahal. Chhiter has overheard him talking to Mukesh sir about something called virus. He has heard that this is some SARS…, a living organism. It is killing thousands of people.

Tigers are still looking at Chhiter for an answer. Chhiter simplifies it as per his understanding, “Dekho ek naya janwar, jiska naam SARS hai, aa gaya hai or wo lakho logo ko mar raha hai!” (“Listen, one new animal species has arrived in the world, whose name is SARS, which is killing tens of thousands of people.”)

Ts huddle together and brood on what’s this going on. ‘We have not heard of any such animal. And why kill man? This is again the law of nature. No animal kills man unless it is seriously threaten by him. Is it some non-ethical monster?”

In the meanwhile, two tigers, T 13 and T 45 have come all the way from Bakhola looking for tourists! Seeing others Ts together, they decide it is no time for hostility. They realise there is some serious issue under consideration and debate and, thus, behave seriously.  

T 20 summons courage and asks, “Chhiter Bhaiya, we have not seen any animal stronger than us. Have you seen SARS?”

By now Ramu, another forester, has also joined the discussion. He has been following the issue a little more closely. He explains to Ts, “Listen, this animal is very small. It cannot be seen by eyes. It’s an invisible dragon.”

All Ts have a hearty laugh. “Thanks for your joke, Ramu Bhaiya.”

On a serious note, Ts are curious. They are amazed that some small animal can kill men. They wonder how this is possible. They further explore and request Ramu for more information on SARS, ‘how big canine, how sharp nails, what speed…’

Ramu is not clear on details but he is good with What’s App on his mobile and read out from a post, ‘A positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus (or (+)ssRNA virus) is a virus that uses positive sense single stranded RNA as its genetic material. The positive-sense viral RNA genome can serve as messenger RNA and can be translated into protein in the host cell.’ Ramu puts his mobile back in his pocket and pretends as a genius. He adds, “You know protein, it is very powerful. It is useful in making muscles, six packs etc. My son also takes it.”

This information is leading nobody anywhere. In the meanwhile, T 35 and T 56 have arrived from Lahapur. They are tired but are happy to be able to take part in the great discussion.

In the meanwhile, a horn blows loud. Chhiter runs fast and opens the massive gate of the Park. “Namaskar, Hukum.” (“Good Morning, Boss”) is Manoj boss. He looks like a hero of 60s movies – Stocky built, balding head hidden under the hat, lines below the eyes hidden under shades, tummy is hidden below the steering wheel…

“Arre Chhoro, ye kaya mazma lga rakha hai?’, Manoj pretends furious.  “Or ye gadhe yanhaan kaya kar rahe hain? (“Hai Boys, why are you crowding?” Manoj Pretends furious. “What are these asses doing here?”) Manoj is not pleased with crowd of Ts around.

He shouts at them, “Fools go away. You do not know, that one tiger has died in Amrica of Covid! This SARS is killing animals also. It may attack you also. We are worried about you guys. You are not even maintaining social distancing. If anybody sees, I would loose my job!”

“Arre Chhiter, Ramu, Ghansham, Pappu… sab idher aao. Arre Bharat Sarkar ka nirdesh aaya hai. Hame apne Baghon ko monitor karna padega.  Dekhna hoga ki kisi ko Covid to nahi hai.” (“Hai Chhiter, Ghansham, Pappu… all come here. Hai, Government of India has issued an order. We will have to monitor our tigers. We will have to see, none has Covid.”)

All are wonderstruck. Is the boss joking? Is he teasing them? Finally, Chhiter collects his wits (he has been able to take some liberty with Manoj) and requests, “Hukum, Ya to NTCA Sahab ko boola lo, ya aap dikha do ki jungli Baghon ka Covid kayse confirm karna hai…” (Boss, either call boss from National Tiger Conservation Authority or you train / show us how to confirm Covid in tigers…”)

Manoj is nervous and wriggles out, “Thik hai, dekhte hain, dekhte hain, Chalo, Chai banao, Jogi Mahal pe bathte hain…” (“OK, I will see, I will see. Go make tea. We are relax at Jogi Mahal.”)

 

Pushp Jain

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer : All the characters, names and locations in this article are fictitious. Any resembles may be a matter of coincidence and not a reflection on any animal or person or location.

Fear and More Fear – Man, You are Screwed

Posted on by pushpkumarjain

SARS-CoV-2 from PIXABAY as in the Print

SARS-CoV-2 Illustration by Pixabay (taken from The Print)

 

I have been avoiding writing in my blog about the present monster, which has cowed down even the mightiest! In my first post on the subject on Facebook, I have written,

Covid 19!

Ya, a new wild creature!!

What’s new?

Sher Kay Puttaro Ka Bhi Payshab Nikal Gaya. Chhupna Pad Raha Hai! (Even the people who used to call themselves son of lion are nervously pissing in their pants. They have to hide now.)
Ya, nature is taking revenge –

Tum eke maronge, MAIN SO MAROONGI!

(If you destroy one of us, we will destroy 100s of you.)

I have been reading in ‘What’s App’ and other social media postings, visual media, newspapers and online several horrifying, alerting, conflicting and confusing things about Corona.  I have been avoiding sharing of any Corona related rumour, true, false, made-up or blame-game stories, half-baked research, etc. What has made me take more interest in the whole issue is the animal angle to the development.

Restrictions have happened so suddenly that I too accepted lockdown like a faithful Indian. I have taken this as national duty. As days pass, I start thinking. What’s what? To begin with, I thought, COVID 19 virus must be a micro-organism. Somebody said, ‘it is a protein’! I have not been able to believe that some protein can do such havoc! My son takes spoonful of it daily after workouts! I decide, let me learn my COVID alphabets.

To begin with, to me, Corona sounds like Hindi word, Karona (Do something!). But I discover this name is not any Tom’s fancy. There have been whole lot of scientific deliberation and thought in finalising the name. It is like naming a new born baby in India. First thing most parents, rather grandparents do is to consult a pundit and get the child’s Janampatri made. The pundit will suggest a name as per the stars in the Janampatri, like Lachhu, Ram, Shiv, Takhat, Rotu or Guddiya, Rani, Sita, Durga… Over the period of time, people started rebelling against this culture and in the bargain got a concession i.e. some flexibility in naming a child. Pundit tells them the first key letter of the name and one can find a name of their liking with that first letter.

In the case of Coronavirus (and for that matter any new virus), World Health Organisation (WHO) is the grandparent and the pundit is International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). I am quoting WHO here – ‘ICTV announced “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)” as the name of the new virus on 11 February 2020.  This name was chosen because the virus is genetically related to the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003.  While related, the two viruses are different.’ WHO announced “COVID-19” as name of the new disease.[1]

I read lot of articles, but it is not clear whether the virus is an organism or merely a protein. There is tons of material on COVID, but nothing in simple words on what SARS-CoV-2 is?

I generally avoid using Wiki quote, but here I find that it has used several important sources to define the virus as ‘A positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus (or (+)ssRNA virus) is a virus that uses positive sense single stranded RNA as its genetic material. The positive-sense viral RNA genome can serve as messenger RNA and can be translated into protein in the host cell. Positive-sense RNA viruses account for a large fraction of known viruses, including many pathogens such as the hepacivirus C, West Nile virus, dengue virus, SARS and MERS coronaviruses, and SARS-CoV-2  as well as less clinically serious pathogens such as the rhinoviruses that cause the common cold.’[2]

I am sorry this cannot be called simple. But in the process, I learn that a disease as common as common cold is caused by Rhino Virus. Am I reading it correctly, RHINO?

And generally, to know more about viruses, one good source I find is Microbiology Society website.  It tells us, “Viruses are the smallest of all the microbes. They are said to be so small that 500 million rhinoviruses could fit on to the head of a pin. They are unique because they are only alive and able to multiply inside the cells of other living things. The cell they multiply in is called the host cell. A virus is made up of a core of genetic material, either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protective coat called a capsid which is made up of protein. Sometimes the capsid is surrounded by an additional spikey coat called the envelope. Viruses are capable of latching onto host cells and getting inside them.”[3]

In the beginning, there have been stories on social media, suggesting bats as culprit for spread of Covid 19. I foolishly brush aside such stories, thinking, “what nonsense, people have got used to blaming animals for all viruses, Bird Flu, Swine Flu, Dengue…”

But it seems I am wrong. A Wiki articles outlines, “It is believed to have zoonotic origins and has close genetic similarity to bat coronaviruses, suggesting it emerged from a bat-borne virus. An intermediate animal reservoir such as a pangolin is also thought to be involved in its introduction to humans.”[4]

According to a related institution (ECDC) of European Union, ‘Coronaviruses are viruses that circulate among animals with some of them also known to infect humans. Bats are considered natural hosts of these viruses yet several other species of animals are also known to act as sources. For instance, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is transmitted to humans from camels, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV-1) is transmitted to humans from civet cats.’[5]

I am wondering would there be any taker in India for bat, rat, cat… I have my doubts. Even the hard core non-vegs would be repelled. But I know for sure, Chinese can take it all. They can go to the extent of drinking ‘Tiger Penis Soup’! This is not a joke. I am saying this in all seriousness.

I vividly remember. It is twenty years of Project Tiger in 1992. India is holding an international conference on tigers. I have been closely associated with the Project Tiger in preparing related books and booklets and participating in the conference. During an international participants’ session, one Chinese delegate makes a presentation and described his community as “we eat everything on four legs except chair and table!” How true. They eat pangolin (OMG)! It’s not easy to see pangolin in forest.  Even, I have seen only twice in my whole life.

I really do not know, whom to blame. But I am not happy saying, ‘Thik Hai’. It is now twenty April of twenty twenty. It has been pretty long, close to a month, being struck at home! I have been talking to acquaintances, relatives and friends. Only common thing I notice in all of them is fear and more fear. What I make out, it seems some people are trying to miss a breath or two, fearing Corona may not enter. Log Jite Ji Mar Rahen Hain (People are dying alive!)

Many of us live in gated societies. There are no outsiders allowed. Lanes and parks are empty. I raise this question, with many, ‘what’s the harm in taking a walk with all the prescribed precautions e.g. sanitiser, face mask, social distancing…?’ People murmur, rules, indiscipline, safety…. I say, ‘Tel lene gaiya’ (hell with all that).

One of my cousins lives in the same society where I live. His house is less than 100m away. They have been virtually unexposed for about a month and so we have been. I suggest to him we can all meet, and drink and dine together. He is shocked, ‘No way’. I try to reason with him. I tell him we have more dangerous (if you want to call it so, though I do not) social interaction happening day in and day out – grocery, vegetable and milk shopping. Nothing doing, ‘Safety first’, my cousin insists.

I am sure relationships must be at stake. Are boy and girl friends just doing flying kisses?  Are husband and wife sleeping on twin beds instead of double bed? Are neighbours fighting maintaining two metre unsocial distance? Are politicians confused, ‘should I curse Modi or praise him?’

All said and done, Chhua Chhat hamare desh main unofficially chalta hai. Magar ab sub official hai. Or had to yah ho gai ki, log maid ya sweeper ko chhuna to kaya dekhna bhi nahi chaha rahain hain. Hai Bhagwan, ye kaya kar dala. Hai bhagwan, or kaya dikhayega. Lagta hai, Corona kay dar say hi mar dalega. (Untouchability has been practised in India unofficially. But now this is all official. What to say of touching a maid or sweeper, people even do not want to see them. Hai, God, what have you done. Hai, God, what more will you do. Seems, you will kill many with fear of Corona.)

Pushp Jain

(PS: I have presented here brief findings, with sources. I am concerned that facts should be facts, without any colour, in all seriousness.)

[1] https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive-sense_single-stranded_RNA_virus

[3] https://microbiologysociety.org/why-microbiology-matters/what-is-microbiology/viruses.html

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severe_acute_respiratory_syndrome_coronavirus_2

[5] https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19/questions-answers

Great Lake & Great Birds

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It is close to 11 am. February weather is just pleasant. We park our car at one side of the Great Ana Sagar lake of Ajmer, in Rajasthan. This part of lake side is known at Chowpaaty. Chowpaaty is, these days, synonymous with line-up of scores of vendors of fast food. Probably the vendors come in the afternoon, when the crowd visits the lake  – I can see the road side and part of the pathway is oily, and surrounding show signs of being used to place dishes.

Access to pathway is about 50 metres from where we park, and first thing, even before the Ana Sagar, we come face to face is a massive signage ‘I❤AJMER’. Ek photo to banta hai.

Yes, Ana Sagar is huge. I have seen a similar lake in Indore few months back. In fact, many towns have such lakes. A random thought come to my mind – the Sagar may be a century old? Later I learn, this is a historical site, not 1 but almost 9 century old – It has been ‘built by Arnoraja (alias Ana), the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, in 1135 -1150 AD. Baradaris (pavilions) were built by Shahjahan in 1637 and later Daulat Bagh Gardens by Jehangir.’

Our main reason of coming here has been to see some interesting bird species and large flocks. We see some coots and gulls swimming around.

Coots are common and the species is also called Common Coot (Fulica atra). I remember, for your information in case you do not know, Coots are peculiar in some ways – it does not hide away and can be seen easily; Coots attack their own hatchlings as they are too many (up to 9) and they are unable to feed all! Another thing of interest is that Coot has a white shield-like conspicuous mark on forehead, which in the specimen here, is continuation of same white colour beak. This featherless shield has given rise to the saying ‘as bald as a coot’!

Gulls too wherever found are common and easily seen. They do not mind being fed by human beings and in some areas they would even steal from man. In Mumbai, including at the Gateway of India, morning walkers and tourists feed them. An odd tourist may even dare to pick the bird and take selfie!

I find it difficult to make out the species – Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) or  Brown-headed Gull  (Larus brunnicephalus)? These are the ones commonly found. These cannot be some uncommon species e.g. Common Gull (Mew) Gull, Yellow Legged Gull, Sooty Gull…

The problem is that adults of both in winter are ‘superficially similar when at rest, with pale grey upper parts, dark primaries, a red bill with a dark tip of variable size, and dusky markings on the ear coverts and to a varying extent around and over the eye.’  One may think it will be easier to identify the bird with brown or black hood but the fact is that even the black headed gull has actually dark brown hood’!

Later at home, I go through literature and my photos and zero in on Black Headed Gull – Lesser grey, darker eyes, less stout bill (in comparison to Brown Headed Gull).

I look around to find other interesting things about the place. There is haze over and around the lake – it can be pollution! There is a featureless island in the middle of the lake. There are some boats sailing. There are scattered Aravalli hills and hillocks. I can see outside the lake there are layers and layers of houses and markets even though the lake is supposed to be on the outskirts of Ajmer. There are people and people. There are vehicles and vehicles. Lake water seems dirty.

Nothing looks really beautiful, natural, attractive or extraordinary. It has been only 15-20 minutes and we decide to leave. But we cannot. Our car says, ‘Nothing doing, you have parked me at chowpaaty and I will not leave without some snacks.’ Jokes apart, it is just not starting. We arrange for a mechanic who takes the car to a service station and we spend two hours at the workshop instead of site seeing!

We start back around 2.00 in the afternoon. Our next destination is Pushkar, just 20-25 odd kilometres from here. Oh my god, we are passing by Ana Sagar,   ‘I❤AJMER’, chowpaaty and all that again. I feel like closing my eyes.

But it turns out the other way. As we take a turn around the lake on the road towards Pushkar, the area is much more peaceful, the lakeside has been beautified with rows of green belts and plants. Suitable walkway along with ample sitting arrangement can be seen.

“Hey Sunayan Bhai, stop! What a sight!” I shout. There are scores of pelicans on two artificial mounds and an immersed small building, and several birds swimming and perched here and there – pond heron, grey heron, large egret, black headed gull, white-breasted kingfisher…

Pelicans are so conspicuous that you are bound to notice – massive white birds with huge beak and very very conspicuous gular pouch fluttering in the wind.  Off hand, I get the impression, ‘this is Rosy Pelican’. I take photographs, I make some mental notes. It has pinkish face and legs, enormous pink and yellow bill, and a dull pale-yellow gular pouch. Plumage is largely white. I make sure the identification is correct. What I did not know that this species is mainly called Great White Pelican.

Though anybody can see Great Pelican is a large bird which also flies but you will be amazed to read the measurements – 1.4 m to 1.8 m (55 to 71 in) in length with a 0.29 m to 0.47 m (11.4 to 18.5 in) beak. The wingspan measures 2.26 m to 3.6 m (7.41 to 11.81 ft) and weight 10–11 kg (22–24 lb).

To add to this, the mounds are shared with contrasting black birds i.e. cormorants.

Later, consulting literature with photos and my notes, I find that this one too is great, Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). Incidentally, here there has been no problem in identifying the species. Most of the cormorants are in breeding plumage i.e. ‘black plumage with metallic blue-green sheen; white facial skin and throat; bright yellow gular pouch and white thigh patches; silky white plumes on head and neck.’ I am able to clearly identify several, one year olds – dull brown above, white below.

Oh, what’s that! There are two pelicans swimming a little further which seem larger than any bird around. I need to take head on shots. I move a little away from the pool, so that not directly visible to the birds and I run to be on their side to take a head on shot. I am partially successful. I can make out it is different. Later, I can clearly identify, it is the largest pelican on earth – Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus). There can be confusion with Great White Pelican but a closer look tells the difference besides the size – the beak is grey-black with bright orange gular pouch and greyish legs. The feather on head and neck are curled.  What I have been watching is, in fact, ‘the largest freshwater bird in the world’, wonderful, great.

Finally, Ana Sagar cheers me. I do say, “Ana tussi great ho.”

Pushp

Where have all the females gone?

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I am in Sawai Madhopur for a two days personal visit to meet some old friends (3-5 February 2020). Visit to Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve is not on the agenda! Strange? There is a reason. I do not want to spoil my fantastic memories of 1980s and 90s with some shoddy ride in tourists clustered vehicle with n-number of restrictions and boundations. Ranthambhore those days used to be virtually my home. I had a free and full access of the wonder land, including on foot!

I vividly remember that on our first visit to Ranthambhore, we stayed at Jhoomar Baori. Yes, the name sounds exotic, and in fact the place is exotic. Jhoomar Baori has been the hunting lodge of the erstwhile Jaipur State, strategically located atop a hill and surrounded on all sides with good forest. Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC), a government agency, has restored the place and developed it into a small hotel.

I tell my friend and host, Lokendra Jain, “let us visit Jhoomar Baori.” I tell him I just want to relive my old memories when I visited the place, 35 years ago in 1984. Lokendra is awe struck when I tell him “we were the first guest on the first day of the Lodge starting as a resort!” Probably, after the maharajas, we were the first to grace the place.

I remember, the manager of the place turned out to be an acquaintance from another RTDC hotel, Tiger Den, at Sariska. There were no other guests. Tables were moved and laid on terrace. Full moon, cool breeze, forest around added to the whole experience. It turned into a grand party. It was wining and dining whole night; singing and dancing; ramp walk by friends on massive thick walls of the hunting lodge! I can say one of those memorable evenings, rather nights, when you let your spirits take wings and you soar and soar…

And today, Lokendra is driving me to the same Jhoomar Baori. As we drive from Sawai Madhopur on the Ranthambhore Road, there is a rather awkward right turn at a point where road is taking a left turn! This is entry point of the area of the lodge.

To my surprise, the area is better forested, undisturbed, and teaming with wildlife, in comparison to what it was 35 years ago. There are spotted deer, spotted deer and more spotted deer. May be 100 plus. There are some nilgais as well, may be score of them. To add to the list, there are few sambars also. Lokendra tells me that leopard is occasionally sighted here in night. Quite natural, in view of the fact that the area is teaming with wild animals. I am sure, once in a while, tiger must also be exploring the area, as we all know, wildlife doesn’t know of any boundary. This is all wonderful. To add to this, the animals are not scarred of our presence. They go about their business of eating, playing, fighting in normal course. I ask Lokendra to drive slow and stop at several places. It’s a grand photo opportunity. We see many spotted deer stags with wonderful antlers, some of them have them in velvet (Stags annually drop antlers and grow new ones. In the growing stage, the antlers are covered with skin (called velvet) which later peels off.)

This seems like about one to one and half km drive with forest on both sides of the kuchcha road. We can see, Jhoomar Baori, painted red (gerua), nestling high up there, and contrasting with dense grey forest. It’s about 200-300 m steep road which brings us to the gate of Jhoomar Baori. Ahha!

It’s more imposing than the image in my mind. There is little action around. One family is checking-in. Another vehicle is parked. Lokendra tells me, “Jhoomar Baori is not doing well, as is the situation with all government outfits. There are issues of staff and maintenance. There is more red tape than hospitality.”

Lokendra is keen to see the record of my first visit! He requests the manager to show us the first guest resister of the lodge. It is highly disappointing to know that they keep the record of only four years here and rest goes to head office. He mercilessly adds that these days, old records are destroyed as there is space constraint! Frankly, I too have been keen to see my name as a first entry in the first resister. I have been even mentally preparing myself to take mobile shot of the register entry. We just take few shots the lodge, and leave.

While returning, I suddenly realise, a peculiarity with spotted deer here – they seem all male. Did we miss the female? I discuss this with Lokendra and he agrees. Thus, on our return we make a very conscious effort to check every spotted deer we can see. Strangely, we do not come across even a single female! Even some young ones around, have few inches of antler spikes visible. It is common, that stags separate out while in velvet, but one can see females around with off springs. We try and try but no female. This is rather peculiar. Maybe we are missing something. But I always say, nature’s ways are mysterious. We do not understand even tip of the iceberg. I sometimes wonder at all the claims our wildlife biologists and ecologists make with their limited observations or studies in neatly written papers!

 

Pushp

 

Birds in Paradise

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During 1980s and 90s, Keoladeo has been my regular haunt. Foresters, Suraj                      Ziddi and Daulat Singh, my friends used to be there. It used to be so soothing to be in a wilderness, which was unique in all respect – World Heritage Site, National Park, birding heaven… It was so relaxing and cheerful those days – cycling, boating, preparing list of birds sighted, boozing…

It was 1989, when during a visit I met Sunayan Sharma, Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) and Research Officer. I noticed he has been keenly involved in bird watching and photography. He was head strong. He was dedicated to forest and wildlife. Soon, we struck acquaintance. With association during next few visits, we became family friends.

Sunayan has been an old school forester, dressing like a forester (wearing felt hat), talking like a forester (wildlife storytelling), and working like a forester (order is order), boozing like a forester (enjoy every bit). He has been bold and dedicated. He has been one, who would visit forest daily, without fail. He loved photography. I remember, once to photograph Sarus Cranes at nest, he got a hide built in the lake itself and used to spend hours cramped in small space. I am sure he had seen Keoladeo so closely, as few might have done.

IMG_2107

Keoladeo National Park

Later, he had second spell in 2006-08, which was much more challenging. First, he became the Director of the Park i.e. he was responsible for the entire show.  Secondly, over the years, protection and conservation had become more and more difficult. Thirdly, Keoladeo is a network of artificial lakes and need water to flow into them from Ajan Dam, which the farmers and their political bosses resented and managed to stop it altogether. Fourth, the Park, from the grasslands, swamps, and woodland was being encroached by Vilayati Babul (Prosopis juliflora) all over.

By 2006, the Park was completely devastated – dry lakes, weeds all over.  Keoladeo was on the verge of losing World Heritage status.

Sunayan is a man, who cannot sit back or take things lying down. He went all across to meet engineers, experts, funders and politicians to develop and initiate a scheme for bringing water to the Park. He ultimately succeeded and now water is not a major issue.

Taking advantage of his deep knowledge about the drainage system of Bharatpur and adjacent flood plains, he developed a scheme to tap the Govardhan drain, carrying lot of flood water from the plains of Bharatpur and adjacent areas of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Today, the canal built to bring this water to the Park is the lifeline of Keoladeo.

He developed a unique system of removing the Babul from the Park. This was in collaboration with the villagers living on the periphery of the Park. They were temporarily allotted small plots of forest to dig out the trees and wood was theirs. Only condition was that they have to remove it completely including the root stock. Initially, with lot of persuasion only 4 members of a family joined the operation but gradually the programme took off. In few months, it was adopted by all the 15 villages located on the periphery of the Park. This was win-win situation for both – Park as well as people. Park got back its grasslands, clear waters and original stands of sacred Kadamba trees in several places and people got wood. About 10 sq. km. area of the Park was recovered in about one and a half years. With the sale of harvested wood, hundreds of families could build houses, marry daughters and buy more resources.

This was not as simple as it sounds. First of all many of his colleagues discouraged him in doing so. They pointed out he is rubbing the law on wrong side. Secondly, Bharatpur is a typical town with complex political atmosphere. With great tact, he managed to take different leaders along. Furthermore, he maintained fairness and transparency in dealing with all villagers so that there was no antagonism or fights.

Sunayan retired in 2010. Nevertheless, he remains a forester to the core. He has written a book on Sariska sharing his first hand experiences and learning.  Sunayan and me visited Keoladeo in September 2017 and spent leisurely two nights. I suggested to him that he should share his unique experiences of Keolodeo also with larger audience i.e. he should write a book. We briefly discussed the outline.

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Bholu, Pushp & Sunayan (Left to right, during 2017 visit)

And here it is. ‘Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur – Birds in Paradise’ has been published recently by a leading book publisher, Niyogi Books in New Delhi. I am sure this would be certainly of interest for any bird watcher and would be an asset on   bookshelf.

Pushp