On trail of the tiger

By A Staff Reporter: On the trail of the elusive Tiger. Nature and animal lovers have spent and years researching on the Tiger. According to union ministry of environment and forest, the tiger population in the country has grown over the last couple of years. Yet it extremely difficult to have a natural tiger sighting in the jungles.

We set off in the midst of covering election campaign to look for a tiger. We registered ourselves with a national park, got the tickets and ventured inside like any other tourists. A three hour long journey snaked its way into buffer and then core areas. The guide Arun Yadav explained the significance of each location and the possibilities of sighting a tiger. How do we scent a tiger coming or even resting at a part of the jungle? The guides who are experts, mentioned Arun, usually listen to the sound of animals and scout for pug marks.

They have a well oiled network as they take tourists in different directions and exchange information. Will they not attack human being for food? Unlikely, explained Arun, as there are enough food for the tiger inside the jungles and they hunt for the animals. Wild boar and deer are their favourite. Tigers do not become man eaters unless they are provoked. After a relentless and tiring round through the areas, we finally spotted three young animals, two tigress and a tiger walking along the jungle path. We were head on with the tigers and yet they peacefully crossed our way and went deep inside the shade of the trees to shelter from the sun. A little down the road, the mother tiger was ambling across an open area of the jungle, looking for a place to rest. Our mission accomplished, we returned back to our hotel with the satisfaction of watching the lord of the jungle from close quarters.