In The Lap Of Nature

Watching a gorgeous sunset sitting on a rock on the banks of a forest-hemmed Kosi River, sipping wine, while enjoying an evening concert of the homeward-bound birds...it is not a scene that would pop up in my mind while thinking of Jim Corbett National Park—India's oldest and most prestigious National Park that today boasts of the highest tiger population in the country

- Ananya Ghosh

I was returning to the Jim Corbett National Park after almost a decade. For me thus far, Corbett (both the person and his namesake forest) has been synonymous with tigers. On my first visit, I had not only spotted multiple tigers, but found the forest throbbing with wildlife—I had woken up to a view of a bevy of deer right outside the window of my room at the Dhikala Forest Lodge and was chased by an angry elephant on our way back—there wasn’t a dull moment.

But this time, with minor and major disasters unfolding on a daily basis, I needed some quiet time sans the adrenaline rush. All I was looking for was an uneventful short break. Like Geet from Jab We Met, I was praying for a few days of boredom; “Bas Babaji ab...aur koi excitement mat dena.” So, when the opportunity came to spend the Christmas weekend in the lap of nature, knowing that the prospect of spotting a tiger (for which choosing the right safari zone is crucial and it needs to be booked well in advance, preferably directly through the government website) would be next to none, I jumped to it. I love forests, with or without the Royal sightings. Located on the banks of the Kosi River, this sprawling forest covers an area of over 520 square kilometres. Known for its diverse scenic landscapes, it is considered one of the most beautiful national parks of the country (in fact, I had found the vast grasslands of the Dhikala zone quite similar to Kenya’s Maasai Mara). Moreover, forests in winters have a special charm, especially in the mornings with the crisp rays of a newborn sun cutting through the thick sheet of mist covering the forest floor and the heady smell of the dew-drenched foliage creating magic.