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Colours of nature
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Nature lovers can trip on the glistening waterfall and quirky wildlife in Thadagam Forest
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PHOTOS: K. ANANTHAN
PICTURE PERFECT The circle of life spins dizzying colours
If it is possible, at seven in the morning it is both rudely sunny and ruthlessly cold. We are driving to Thadagam Forest in the Coimbatore Range, all the while trying to bring back some action into our unfeeling fingers. Getting off at Sembukkarai check post, the walk into the forest begins: a watch tower and the Mangarai waterfall await us. We are accompanied by forester M. Senthil Kumar, guard Kumar and a few watchers.
As we get further into the forest, the path is only as wide as my sneakers. The way is dotted on either side with various wild shrubs all sopping in gleaming dew drops. The touch-me-nots look happy, fresh and poised, almost daring you to touch them.
The path gets narrower, sunshine becomes scarce, and you ache for sunbeams to dance all over you. The walk gets challenging as we take on dicey rocks to get to the watch tower. All along, we hear the rhythmic burble of a stream nearby. We take the stairs to the watchtower that is under construction, and ha! what a sight to behold.
It's just blinding shades of green around, with plenty of rocks and a waterfall thrown in. The sheer joy of such a sight is quite marred only by a heap of dead bugs. Around 2,000 tiny wild bugs share an open grave, punished with smoke for interfering with the construction.
The mass grave is soon forgotten as we march carefully towards the waterfall. Though we cannot reach the slim waterfall, the clear water flowing down is irresistible. So, I do the foolish thing: dip my hand into biting cold water. A three-second dip and my hand takes a good five minutes to return to body temperature. A five-second dip is a sure way to dismember your digits.
As a solace to this misadventure, the forester says there are crabs around. Crabs!
To those who have seen them only on the sullied shores of the Marina Beach, the prospect of greeting them in freshwater seems enticing. Sure enough, a couple of them show up in glassy brown.
And, even put up a good show for our benefit. Dragonflies, the beacon of rain, soar over us, as if glad to appear suspended midair. Gloriosa superba, in a mix of brilliant red and off-white, has blossomed, yes, both gloriously and superbly, waiting to be entrapped between the camera shutters. Close to these flowers we discover an insect sporting a coat inspired by the zebra! We linger, and leave not before bravely splashing the cold water on our faces.
How to go
Thadagam Forest is 15 km from Coimbatore. You can take a bus to Anaikatti, and get off at the Sembukkarai forest checkpost. The best time to visit is between November and January. It is strictly open only to hardcore nature lovers. For permission, call the District Forest Office at 0422-2302925.
W. SREELALITHA
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