|
|
|
| Home
> Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
> Melghat |
Melghat |
1
2 3 4
5 |
|
|
Take a Break |
| The hill-station of Chikaldhara (25 km from Melghat)
has all the commercial benefits (and disadvantages) of a popular
tourist spot, with old Victorian bungalows of colonial design.
Forts at Gawilgarh, Narnala and Asirgarh bordering the reserve,
are of great historical interest. They stand on precipitous
slopes and have defied conquests in earlier times. Today they
offer a splendid view of the surrounding plains (Don't forget
your camera and binoculars when you trek up to the vantage points!).
About three km from Makhala village in the reserve towards
Jarida, is a beautiful waterfall with splendid mountains in
the background and wild bananas growing in the rocky crags.
The spot is barely four-five metres from the Mahkala-Jarida
road. Local tribal communities include Korku, Gond, Nihal,
Balai, Gawli and Gaolan. But the Korkus dominate, (60-65 per
cent of the local populace). You would need a local guide
at least as a translator. Be sure to sample the sweet, mouth-watering
milk-based sweet called rabdi - a delicacy made by the Gawlis!
The Nature Interpretation Centre at Semadoh, established
in 1988, attracts tourists throughout the year. It has a museum,
an open-air auditorium and a canteen. Mini-bus tours into
the forest can be arranged from here.
|
|
Contacts |
The Field Director,
Project Tiger,
Melghat Tiger Reserve,
East Melghat Division,
Amravati-444602,
Maharashtra.
Tel: 0721-662792.
Tel: 07223-20214 (Paratwada)
NGO
Nature Conservation Society,
C/o Kishor Rithe,
"Pratishtha", Bharat Nagar,
Akoli Road,
Near Sai Nagar,
Amravati-444605,
Maharashtra.
Tel: 0721-672359.
Fax: 0721-670308.
|
|
Insider Tips |
• Permits to trek can be obtained from the
Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Project Tiger, Melghat.
• You may not see any large carnivores on your trip. But,
if you are alert for tracks and droppings, especially on the
dry riverbed of the Sipna river, the thrill of decoding the
signs they leave behind and enhancing them visually with your
imagination, may well match the real thing.
|
|
Survival Guide |
• Move in groups at all times.
•
Arrange for a local tracker or guide who knows the forest.
• Binoculars, a good bird book and a camera are essential
for a good trip.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes,
travel light and don't forget a hat.
• If you get
permission to walk at dusk, arm yourself with a stout bamboo
to hit the ground on as you move to communicate your presence
to ground-dwelling creatures like snakes that may be about.
• If you do see a large predator on foot it is advisable
to move slowly away to allow it right of way. Then stay still.
Do not panic or run.
• Do not litter. In fact, pick
up non-biodegradable materials and deposit them back at camp.
• If you must talk, do it softly. • Carry water,
as you may not find any drinking water on the trail.
•
Since fire at Melghat is a serious problem, do not smoke, and
carefully put out every last ember in your campfire before leaving.
|
| |
|
|
1
2 3 4
5 |
|
