Dajipur - Bison Sanctuary in Maharashtra
It’s hard to slip out from the boring routine for a good long vacation. Also to think where to go ? seem a very good reason to stay at home. Explore Dajipur - a not so far away destination.
The Dajipur Bison Sanctuary is situated on the border of Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts.The towering phonda ghat is showered by a generous monsoon. Lots of trees and grass makes it perfect for a wildlife sanctuary. Only wild things rule here and you’re simply guest. Right atop Phonda Ghat on borders of Kolhapur and Radhanagari and kalammawadi dams at a height of 3940 ft, Dajipur is an unforgettable wildlife excursion. Calls of the mynah, cuckoo, parrot, and the bulbul synchronizing with the murmur of the Radhanagari Dam waters… a herd of gaur grazing in the morning sun… Dajipur is worth the grueling drive up the mountainous terrain of the ghat, as you pass through stunning, variegated landscapes and rock formulations.
Djipur Bison Sanctuary isn’t actually Dajipur any longer. In 1985, the forested areas hemming the sanctuary were Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary. In a country of more than a billion souls, it’s hard to believe that the sanctuary has remained free of human touch and shove. Lush forests, rugged mountains and dramatic plateaus form its main topography. The facilities at Dajipur are not like those parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Therein lies Dajipur’s off-the-beaten-track charm.
Things To See And do
The tropical forest of Dajipur is remarkable for its luxuriant trees both tall and medium-sized. Shrubs, climbers, bamboo, ferns and medicinal herbs grow in abundance. The bauxite-capped hills within the Bison Sanctuary-the original part of the sanctuary-the original part of the sanctuary before extention-lord over plateaus, locally known as sadas. The grass-lands run on and on with very few trees and the rims of the plateaus bear steep, rocky slopes and escarpment, the latter providing breathtaking views of the valleys below and the hills beyond.
The Iderganj Plateau is the watershed of two major reservoirs created when the Radhanagari and Kalammawadi dams were constructed. Incalculable insect and animal life are umbilically connected to the forests around these dams by the plateaus.
The drive down this plateau winds through wilderness. These dense forests are home to endangered animals like the shekru, or Giant Indian Squirrel. Climbers like shikakai and garambi span the space between trees, and smaller bamboo thickets occupy the understorey. Herbsgrow in profusion during the monsoons.
This is the land of the tallest and most splendid specimens of wild oxen in rthe world-the Indian bison, or gaur. Few other animals match the bucolic charm and muscled power of thegaur. You could easily spot a bull or calf running alongside its mother or a large herd grazing in the jungles. Why, there are even predators such as leopards, sloth bear, wild boars and dholes (Wild dogs). The tiger is not unknown to this area (the last forest census recorded five), though none have been sighted in a long while. Barking deer family and on rocky shelves along the water shores, you may see a large monitor lizards soaking in the midday sun. The trekking guides claim to even see the occasional king cobra.
The sanctuary is also home to a rich avian life starring quails, plovers, sand pipers, owls, night jars, bee-eaters, wood-peckers, flycatchers, wagtails and sunbirds. Some rare and endangered birds include hornbills and Ceylon frogmouths.
Nature Walks
The Dajipur Reserve is a treat for those who hanker for nature walks: it has a 22 km kaccha road that diverges off the main road and meanders into the depths of the forests. Traversing down this forest track you’ll come across Vaghacha Pani-a natural catchment area that was earlier the preserve of tigers. Furthers along the road is a signboard directing you to an artificial through called Sapala(trap in Marathi) that was constructed under the direct supervision of the formers royal Chhatrapati Shahu to trap bisons, which are then relocated to other wildlife reserves.
From the main track, a path meanders off to a marshy quarter, Magrakj (moss) pool, which is a great vantage point to spot the majestic gaur. Watering holes, sambar Kond and Gidhdache Pani (roosting sites for impressive white-backed vultures), allow you to catch wild animals in all their wild glory. The machans constructed deep in the joungle, only help the view, especially after dark.
Konkan Darshan, from where you can visually map the sanctuary is a favourite with many. An excursion to Gagangiri Maharaj’s Math in the forest, part of an ancient sacred grove, is a mystical detour.
Where to Stay And Eat
The stay option, and it’s not a bad one, is MTDC’s Dajipur Bison Jungle Resort, which serves Malvani, South Indian, Chinese, Continental and Konkani meals from 7 km to midnight. The calm deep blue backwaters of the Radhanagari Lake provide a splendid backdrop. Visitors have a choice of either dormitory-style or tented accommodation. During the monsoon, however, tents are not available.
1.Bison Jungle Resort (Near Lake)
Tel: 02321-274024-25
Website: bisonjungleresort.com
Accommodation 6 rooms, 3dorms, 1 tent
Tariff Rs 150-600 Credit Cards Not accepted Facilities Doctor-on-call, room service, STD/ISD, garden Mumbai Reservations Bison Jungle Resort, 103, KB Lal Industrial Estate, Linking Rd Extension, Santacruz(W). Mumbai-400054.
Contact:022-26174932, 26174933. Fax: 26144200
2. Forest Rest House (Near Lake0
Taluka Radhanagari
Accommodation 2 rooms Tariff Rs 100, govt staff Rs.20 Facilities cook Booking Officer Executives Engineer, South PWD, Kolhapur.
Tel: 0231-2650042.
State Maharashtra
Distance 484 km, SE of Mumbai Journey
Time By rail 8 ½ hrs + road 1 ½ hrs By road 12 ½ hrs.
Location On Phonda Ghat, near the back-waters of the radhanagari Dam
Route NH 17 till Tarele Via Lanja and Rajapur; district road to Dajipur
source : Outlook traveller
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