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Wiki:
Mudumalai Sanctuary is as an important wildlife habitat due to its strategic position as aWildlife corridor between several other protected areas that are a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. To the north is the Bandipur National Park and Nagarhole National Park. To the west is the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and in the south are Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley National Park. To the east is the Sigur Plateau which connects to theSathyamangalam wildlife sanctuary and Reserve forests and Biligirirangan Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. These parks, sanctuaries and the adjoining Reserve forests cover over 3,300 square kilometres (1,300 sq mi) of forest supporting a population of 1800-2300 elephants.
The elevation of the sanctuary varies from a minimum of 960 meters (3,150 ft) m to a maximum of 1,266 meters (4,154 ft). The sanctuary has a tropical savanna climate or tropical wet and dry climate that corresponding to the categories Aw and As of the Köppen climate classification.
Our Story:
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| Vindesh and Rishab |
My dear friend Vindesh was visiting his uncle in Ooty. His uncle is regional forest officer for Mudhumalai forest reserve. We were invited to be part of the family to stay in royal forest guest house located deep in the forest.
This was chance we never wanted to miss.
Me, Gowtham and Meeta (close friends of Vindesh ) were invited to be part of this trip. We started from Bangalore early morning and crossed Mysore in hurry.
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| School children attending Independence day parade. |
It was 15th of August and holiday. We passed through densely populated villages on the way to Ooty. Though forgotten by me and Gowtham, Meeta forcibly pulled to attend the 15th August celebration. We stood still sang national Anthem and Started our journey to ooty.
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| Do spot bigger kiddos |
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| Resting next to my car |
We touched the mudhumali gate at about 2.00Pm. Had quick tea and waited for vindesh to arrive. He was comming with his chachji (Uncle). Place where we were waiting was nice and serene and had one huge tamrind tree. It was meeta who urged everyone to pluck few. I was reluctance for this but later joined along with gowtham.
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| Gowtham in act. |
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| CHATORA! |
After about half an hour and over dozen of tamrind in basket, Vindesh and family arrived. Typical north indian guesture followed with lots of hugs and howling and few cat calls.
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| Reunion |
From here we marched directly to Forest guest house. This house is located in middle of forest and little jeep route takes one there. My car may be one only civilian car entering that place. At checkpost guards were still not sure about letting me in.
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| We spotted wild elephants enroute to forest officers bunglow. |
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| Cheetal spotted enroute to officers bunglow. |
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| Picturesque Forest officer bunglow |
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| Kargudi Resthouse |
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| Trail to the watch tower |
After having delicious meal in evening we headed for a small trail to watch tower. From here complete Mudhumalai forest space is seen.
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| Entire Lush green and Dense Mudhumalai Forest |
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| Vinnie and Me |
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| Vindesh & Family |
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| Charlies Angels |
Forest range was very informative and showed us lot of pug marks of carnivorous mostly unseen by normal eyes. He told how they take census of the wild animals using the pug marks.
It was memorable to watch such a dense green landscape. With lights fading out we had to return to the base. We were escorted by the guard to the forest guest house.
Also warning was flashed not to venture 50 feet away from the guest house at night.
Shinu :
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| SHINU |
As we reached back to the base we encountered a small pug and later found to be part of Uncles family.
Shinu is cute pug and will always follow you irrespective of your network. Guess hutch did a smart move in showcasing the pug. This pug has lot of emotions and they do get tired. You can lift him and caress and all the time he will be quiet.
Shinu loves tomatoes and can eat any number of slices you feed. And that was my mantra to attract him towards me.
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| Shinu in my arms |
It was fun playing with him and you can just run across and he will follow you and that was our game. We tried playing outdoor game and he relentlessly followed us.
DAY 2
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| Tiger census reservoir |
Day 2 was planned with early morning safari to tiger census area. This place is in deep jungle and can be approached only by forest reserve 4x4
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| 4x4 |
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Group Photo in Jungle
(L-R Me, Vindesh, Rihus Sis, Uncle, Vindesh's Dad, Vidhu, Meeta and Gowtham) |
It was indeed a great experience out there to know the life of the guards patrolling to preserve the wildlife battling against the poachers. I will not publish anymore pics to revel more about this place.
After the safari we headed in the jungle to see if we could spot tiger. We were not lucky enough to spot tiger but we did spot elephants , wild boar , bisons and cheetal.
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| Majestic Tiger Spotted by Rishu |
we returned to the base for good heavy lunch and good nap. In evening we were taken to the nearby waterfall inside Mudhumalai forest to see a huge waterfall. This place is accessible to tourist and we witnessed many tourists out there.
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| Waterfall |
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| Another view |
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| distant view of waterfall |
We ended our day with night safari to see if we can spot any tigers or wild life. Again luck did't favor us and we could not spot any tiger,but there were enough of elephants , wild boar to be seen from up close.
Best thing of the night safari was indeed the route it took us through. It was very dense forest with small trail where a small minibus can go.
As usual good group of crowd and we ended our day with fun, dance and games. Must to mention was food out there, they had a special kitchen for us and use to cook taking menu from us. Food was delicious and prompt on time. I feasted on fish and chicken while Meeta has lots to choose from veggie menu. Gowtham too liked it but was missing curd rice at the end.
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| Complete family photo. Clicked by Rishu |
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| cool gang |
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| Typical morning in the forest |
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| Monkey business |
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| Uncle holding captured cub |
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after two days of wildlife, nature, friends and fun we finally said bye to the forest and returned to Bangalore. en-route we had to pass through the Mudhumalai forest as state highway passes through the forest. This time entire perspective towards the forest was different.
Indeed it was a wonderful and memorable trip.. Thanks to Vindesh!
