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Jungle tales

On our way back, we were mesmerized by the scenic beauty of Chalsa town as seen from the hill slopes -- the fog and the greenery.

Post lunch, we headed for Chapramari national forest. On the way we heard from the locals that a big herd of wild elephants had crossed from Gorumara into Chapramari forest. Excited, we zoomed over to the forest watchtower and waited patiently for our tusker friends.

Half an hour of patience gave way to restlessness and plenty of curses for the locals for their false information. Suddenly, out of the wild, came a baby elephant. And then, to our utter disbelief, a herd of 11 majestic elephants. They made their way to the salt pit that lay in front of the watchtower. Tuskers, female elephants and baby elephants, the smallest being only 11 months old, enjoyed their moments of stardom as the onlookers merrily clicked away. This was wildlife at its best -- only 20 metres away from humans. Our wishes were fulfilled. After playing with the salted mud for a full hour or so, they retreated back into the jungles. Mankind looked so insignificant in the jungles.

Text: Aniruddha Sen
Photograph: Aniruddha Sen
Also read: Shillong: Nature's pampered child

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