If you want to do things differently this Diwali, away from the noise of the city and the air pollution that comes with it, consider checking out some of India’s top wildlife reserves. Now that national parks have reopened for safaris and treks, make plans to reconnect with the more-than-human world and learn about how our natural ecosystems contribute towards the health and wellbeing of all creatures, humans included. Whether birdwatching is your jam or if you are more of an astronomy enthusiast, you don’t need to choose between competing interests—you can fulfil them all.
Here’s a teaser of the exciting experiences that await you in India’s national parks during the festive season and beyond.
All zones at Bandhavgarh National Park have multiple female tigers with new litters. There are roughly 15 cubs in Zone 1, the most popular area because of its picturesque flora and fauna as well as historic sites. Zone 3 has roughly 15 cubs also. This zone is great for birding and being the smallest zone, it can be fully covered by a safari. See elephants in motion in Zone 1 and 2. According to Anshuman Shah, the chief naturalist at the Samode Safari Lodge, "We have new naturalists joining us this year plus a new jeep for safaris, and we’re really looking forward to sharing the park with our guests."
At India's most loved national park, tiger numbers are seeing a steady uptick with the count now at 80 plus. Camera traps have also captured Siddhi, or T-125, with her three new cubs, which has cheered wildlife enthusiasts. Apart from the 10 zones, there is a new Zone 11 that will start from Gilai Sagar and will cover a distance of 22 kilometres. Abhishek Hissaria, the owner of AamaGhati Wildlife Resort, says, “Apart from the jungle drives, we have dedicated stargazing activities every night and the winter skies offer much more for astronomy enthusiasts. We are looking forward to welcoming guests as we also serve local seasonal delicacies to make sure [they] return with fond memories.”
Migratory birds such as leaf warblers have already started to land in the Wayanad region, and in the next two months, the air will be aflutter with migratory birds of all stripes. A large congregation of butterflies right outside the Wayanad Wild lodge will present amazing photo opportunities for nature lovers. The weather is beautiful as the rains are over, the sun will be out and the nights are cooler. It is the perfect time to explore the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and get some brilliant shots of its thriving inhabitants. In fact, many wildlife photographers go there during this time, and plenty of them have already begun arriving at the lodge. According to David Raju, the lodge manager at Wayanad Wild CGH Earth, "Our night walks are getting even more exciting [and] we’ve started to see many gliding foxes, interesting geckos etc. Signing up for this is something I would highly recommend."
After four months of rain, the jungle is a lush green with a revitalised ecosystem and picturesque views. This means more sightings of animals and more natural behaviours like foraging and playing in the forest. During this time, animals are more active and visible due to the abundance of food and water. However, some species can be harder to spot due to the dense forest. According to Parikshit Rathore, the lodge manager of Aramness, "We've created a new bird hide for our young guests at the lodge over the summer and added a new sunset drive to the Gir National Park."
According to Hrishikesh Wachasunder, the owner of WelcomHeritage Tadoba Resort and Spa, "We’ve had approximately 12-15 cubs in the Kolara Zone this season. Further[more], with the opening of two new gates into the park, Shedegao and Somnath, [we can provide] an even better safari experience for our guests. Over the summer, we added jacuzzis in our luxury tents at the resort that add to the entire experience."
Dandeli is an offbeat getaway as it has several unexplored secrets that are waiting to be discovered. Its rich wildlife includes its star attraction, the great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill, and the Malabar pied hornbill. However, what is lesser known is that it is also the home of the elusive black panther. With over 270 species of birds, the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park have the river Kali running through them which promises adventure too. "The national park here offers coracle rides, rock climbing, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, camping, jeep safari ride[s], trekking in the forest, birdwatching and more, which adds to the charm of this destination,” says Nixon Furtado, the FOM of the Stone Wood Jungle Resort in Dandeli. The other important sights here for visitors include Syntheri Rock, the Kavala Caves and Sykes Point, all of which can be accessed close to the jungle resort.