Thursday, April 11, 2013

Trail of the tiger







Anaikatty Forest Rest House (top)

Gentle cool breeze, towering mountains, winding roads, diverse landscape greet you on the way to a sleepy village called Anaikatty. This is not as famous as the one which is near Coimbatore. “You can spot a tiger on the way if you are lucky” says the forest watcher guarding the check post at Vazhaithottam enroute Anaikatty. The decent tarmac till the village attracts people throughout the year. Built in 1910, the forest rest house greets us warmly with pristine air and near zero pollution. The rest house is built on a small hillock overlooking the tiny village in the valley below. The village is a Kurumba hamlet with less than 100 families who rely far too much on agriculture to make ends meet. The moment you enter the rest house, a skull of a Gaur on the wall gets the attention. “Killed by a tiger in Anaikatty - Sep '38” on the varnished wooden frame gives an idea of what is in store. The forest guard who accompanied us to the forest rest house asks us to visit the Siriyur Mariamman temple in the evening which is nearly an hour’s drive from the forest rest house. These two villages lie on the seegur range of the north nilgiri forest division and serve as the buffer zone for the surrounding wildlife sancutaries. This is also the place where the legendary Kenneth Anderson slayed the “Man-eater of Seegur”.






A small talk with the resident guard at the rest house and he is more than happy to tell tales of the flora and fauna. The removal of cattle camps from the forests by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department,improved protection, largely offered by the inadequately and irregularly paid tribal anti-poaching watchers and excellent breeding in the adjacent wildlife areas of the Mudumalai Wildlife Santuary and the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, have resulted in a sheer increase in the population which has triggered dispersal of tigers seeking new territories.
The dispersing tigers easily found a home here to settle down, as the Seegur range with its abundance of forage species and plenty of palatable and nutritious grass, always had a substantial population of the chital, the sambar and the gaur.


Bison at Aadikombai

Babies with mothers


You could see Gaur, elephants, Sambar deers, sloth bears, mouse deer, monitor lizards,dholes, Striped hyenas, black bucks, hundreds of chitals and if you are lucky the elusive tiger on the way to siriyur. The spine chilling drive and the excitement of what’s round the corner makes the drive worth every penny. The accomodation is basic with a cot in both the suites and food is prepared by the temporary cook from the village with the ration which needs to be bought from vazhaithottam. The nearest grocery shop is near the check post in vazhaithottam which is a good half hours drive from the rest house. Relaxing on the wooden arm chair is a must in the morning as it gives a splendid view of the blue Nilgiris along with silence breaking cry of a peacock.



A sub-adult tusker crossing the road

camouflaged!!!

Visiting this range is a must for every responsible wildlife enthusiast to enjoy nature at its best without disturbing the peace and tranquility of this legendary place.

4 comments:

  1. looking nice, pls put more photos

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  2. how can i get a stay in anakatti

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    Replies
    1. Contact North DFO in OOTY, Best of luck mate for the permission. Office is located in Mount stuart hill, OOTY.

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