Camp sites during the survey

This I understand will be the beginning of a series of posts on what has been one of the most amazing and thrilling experience I have soaked in. While the write ups will take some time to metamorphose from the lively flow of pencil on paper to the heartless punching on the laptop I begin by sharing some pictures.

We had been asked by the forest department of the Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) to "partner" them towards a survey in context of the freshly notified Tokalo Wildlife Sanctuary in Saiha. Saiha is one of the 8 dstricts in Mizoram and Mara Autonomous District Council is one of the 3 District Councils in Mizoram (Chakma and Lai being the other 2). While Saiha is the southern most district in Mizoram the Tokala Wildlife Sanctuary lies at the southern tip of Saiha (therefore also the southern tip of what is referred to as "north eastern India").

This post depicts the camp-sites.

This is our first camp site, on the banks of Kolodyne (the biggest river of the region) little south of Lomasu village. The chill during the night was thrilling and the rivers after sunrise were breathtaking; there was a fast flowing river of mist above the relatively slowly flowing river of water ~ and what water; I could see each of the stones clearly !

We walked along the rivers (for they were the boundaries of the wildlife sanctuary) and on one occasion came across an abandoned hut; which we were quick to convert into a camp site. This was very well made for the place and need.

One of the camp sites in the middle of what is referred to as the "best remaining rain forest in north east India" and while the evening picture gives a tired look (that after a long walk) the morning picture of the next day exudes energy and enthusiasm for the day (and accompanying surprises) to come. We had banana leaves for beds and also for covering us from tropical dew and of course the logs burnt at night to keep us warm.

Jumping along the stones on rivers was not always successful particularly for novices like me and each evening the shoes were given v.i.p. treatment ~

Straps of a couple of bags we were carrying tired off just as we reached the above shown "occupied" camp site. Colleagues helping with carrying took very little time in the morning hours to get the "carriers" ready from the resources available around; this left me amazed and feeling very urban ~

Sincerely acknowledging the support of the entire team and of course the forest department of the Mara Autonomous District Council for the survey.