A Day at Jim Corbett National Park.

Last month I got an opportunity to visit Jim Corbett National Park with my friends. Situated in the state of Uttaranchal, near Nainital, the Park has been developed much like a Tiger-Reservoire sort of thing. We reached there after traveling almost 450-500 kms from Delhi, in a Toyota Qualis.

The reception centre of the Park comes first on the way, and the exact Forest is about 50 kms from there. All of us took refreshment, etc., before leaving for our Jungle-Safari !! They told us not to enter the forest with the Qualis, as our vehicle was a Two-Wheel Drive. They insisted that we use the Gypsy available for the safari purpose, and which was a Four-Wheel Drive (4x4) vehicle. But we prefered to use our own vehicle, as the Gypsy charges were way too high. Although we had to hire a stupid looking, so called "Guide", as there was no permission to enter the forest without one.

Finally the moment came, when we were infront of the Jim Corbett National Park's entrance gate. All were excited to catch a glimpse of Tigers, or atleast Deers, etc., as it was noon and possibilities of viewing a Tiger were less.

The environment was hot and humid, due to less frequent rains. It was almost half an hour now and we had no clues of a single Bird, in the so called National Forest. I was amazed at the lack of Natural Ambience there. After more than an hour has passed now, and not a single creature seemed to appear. The only sigh of relief I had were the Trees and the little beautiful River that was flowing amidst the forest. But remember, no animals or birds, Still !! And that Dumb "Guide" kept on reciting: "Just be patient, for sure within next 15 mins, we'll come across a Tiger !!"

After wandering for about 1.5 hours, to my astonishment, we saw some Deers atlast. But in less than 30 seconds they all disappeared deep in the forest. Humans are Dangerous you know !!

Earlier we had plans to stay there overnight, but as there were no facilities of Light and Water, we had to skip the thought, and head towards Nainital atlast. Leaving behind a National Park, where we saw more Human beings and less Birds or Animals. SAD !!

The thought to stick with, is not what was our experience at the Jim Corbett. But the point to be worried about is that a Tiger-Reservoire, where the Govt. is said to be spending Crores of money per year, is not having a single Claw-Impression of Tigers !! Other than the Tigers ofcourse.

Tigers and there other counterparts are getting extinct from the face of Earth, and even much faster from India. The days are near when we'll talk about them, just as we talk about Dinosaurs today. And the coming generations would be amazed that we saw "TIGERS". Wow !!

I can see our Earth dying a slow and painful Death. Do you ??