Part 23

“Stay away from alcohol and smoking…! Smoking proves dangerous in forests..!” said Dr. Koite in a serious tone and Ravi nodded.  Jim looked away disappointed.  Dhatri had her back pack ready and had started moving.

“Dhatri…!” Prof. Indroneel called out and she turned back.  “Wait…!” he told her sternly.  She nodded and waited for others to start the journey.  They shifted to another vehicle with sacks hung on their backs and their luggage was to be transported to the destination in other vehicle.  Ravi had taken out his camera, tripod and binoculars.   His huge haversack was stuffed with his things.  Jim had the minimum with him.  They were moving in a open jeep… “Jheep.. as Dhatri used to call it..!” The moment the open vehicle arrived, she had hopped in and was settled herself next to the driver, throwing her backpack at the backside.  A Forest Ranger Named Chinu sat next to her.  Others settled themselves in the vehicle and the DFO started off with his commentary as the vehicle gained speed. 

They were on the periphery of the forest, Satpura national park.  The dense forest ahead was calling her.  She forgot that she was on a study tour and others were with her.  Her eyes widened with excitement, she looked around.  She took a deep breath and pressing her palm on her chest “Finally..!” blurted in satisfaction.  The Ranger Chinu smiled broadly at her.  She stood up in the vehicle clutching the handle bar.  Dr Maria smiled broadly looking at Dhatri’s excitement.  

“Look…!” Dhatri yelled and the driver stopped the vehicle.  Everyone looked ahead on the pathway.  Before anyone could realize, Dhatri had jumped over Chinu and was on the pathway.  She bent down pointing at the pugmarks.  The DFO got down to examine so did everyone else.

“Humm… Tiger marks?” Chinu asked and the DFO nodded in acceptance.  “Wow… The Great Bengal Tiger…!” Jim exclaimed in excitement and Soumya sat down to examine.   Ravi jumped down with his camera ready.  His camera never stopped clicking.  

“Leopard…!” Dhatri straightened herself after finishing her observation of the pugmarks.  She went ahead in search of other marks but after a few yards, the marks disappeared and a long stretch of soaked soil traced the drag.  She bent down and picked up a thing in her hand.  DFO looked at her in astonishment.  

“The hunt!” he declared.  “Look here… the struggle marks… The tiger hunt..!” he said looking around for more traces.

“Leopard…!” Dhatri again blurted and Dr. Maria looked at her surprised.

“Not a tiger? Leopard?” she asked Dhatri leaning towards her.  Dhatri nodded. 

“How do you know?” she asked bewildered.  “I know!” Dhatri said moving away.

“Look~! She says … Its leopard and not Tiger…!” Maria said aloud.

“Phew..! Huf..!” Jim and Soumya laughed.  Ravi looked surprised.  The DFO sat down to re-examine again.  Dhatri had already reached the pugmark and was showing …

“Look… the width is less… the paws are stretched…and narrow…!” she showed the difference.  

“How do you know?” asked Dr. Maria aghast, admiring her little companion.  Dhatri didn’t answer but instead Indroneel answered… “Oh! She is an ardent jungle enthusiast…! Two years back she took part in census of tigers in Kanha Kisli National Park.  Dr. Maria wrapped her hand around Dhatri’s shoulder in appreciation.  Dhatri looked down shyly.  

DFO had taken out his walkie talkie to communicate with his base camp.  The Leopard was moving in the periphery of the forest… Warnings were to issued for the nearby settlements and the Leopard had to be driven again into the deeper section of the forest. 

They drove away.  “It will take another two hours to reach the next Ranger Camp…” he said looking at his wrist watch.   “From Tomorrow we will be into the forest for your research…” DFO said and Dr. Koite nodded.  

“What is that?” Ranger asked pointing at what Dhatri was hiding. 

“Umm… Seeng…!” she took it out sheepishly.  DFO examined and gave it back to her.  “It’s a broken horn of Chousinga… Four horned deer…!” he said and Ravi leaned forward to take it from Dhatri.  She refused to give it.

“Let me see!” Indroneel was the mediator.  She reluctantly handed it over to him.  They took terns to examine the horn.  It looked like a dried twig.  Ravi’s camera didn’t stop clicking.  He gave it back to her.  She held it tight.  

“Let me keep it in your bag…!” Dhatri trusted Dr. Maria and gave it to her.  They were on their way to their first destination and Dhatri had already made her impression.  For the first time Dr. Koite had smiled at her.  

The makeshift camp was not at all in a habitable condition.  Three rooms were allotted with attached toilets.  The team looked at each other.  Inadvertently, Dhatri gripped Dr. Maria’s wrist and she understood.  “Ok! I will stay with Dhatri… and Ms Soorie… “ she declared and the problem was solved.  Dhatri gave a broad smile, jerking her head back.  Jim and Ravi gaped at her deep dimples, her style of closing her eyes while laughing, the wrinkles at the corner of the eyes made her face captivating.  Jim drowned himself in her dimples… “Man… she is pretty!” he murmured and Soumya looked at him surprised. Taking the complement to be for her, she smiled with a glint.  Dhatri had occupied the room and was helping to bring in the luggage.