After having a fair bit of an idea about what existed within the campus of Joypur resort, as you may have seen in Part 1, we planned to head out deeper. We were keen to hit a walking trail to view the landscape that encircled the farmland.
The clock alarm rang on time and nudged us to leave the warm bed. We braved the crisp morning that hung drunkenly over the resort.
An age-old habit of morning walk came pretty handy.
The Jungle layout
A warm pullover with a jacket prepared us for the survey of the jungle. The cool wind blanketed us which made every exhale off the nose form a white mist telling us the temperature had dropped appreciably.
Some of the folks put on a woolen cap; however, the chill was strangely comfortable.
from within the golden clouds
The ducks and all other birds were still sleeping perhaps as we trundled out of the main entrance on to the State highway 02.
We were greeted by the approaching and diminishing sounds of tires on asphalt as trucks roared the empty road at speed.
At the parking area, a small puppy came towards us in right earnest wagging its tail like a windshield whipper of a car.
It was used to human socializing and made every effort to show its happiness seeing a bunch of bipeds on the explore, so early in the morning.
who considered its duty to wish us a pleasant morning
We chalked a plan to walk along the road as a marker and then hit the jungle at right angles where we would get the first opening.
The plan was not to lose the path of homecoming.
If anything amiss, we will know what exactly we did and will retract from where we started.
All that we heard was the whispering jungle punctured at times by the speeding trucks.
The sprawling forest
We finally came to the middle of the forest. It was not very dense but was not thin either.
The application of human effort to create the forest was obvious as long trenches were seen running along the forest floor. Trees were neatly planted at geometric angles.
Nature cannot be so perfect, it applies mathematics in a very different way, I suppose.
We learned from the watchman that these early winter mornings sometimes attracted herds of elephants that come down from the Dalma range of forest that is connected with Joypur forest.
A chord of excitement rang in us.
We walked for about one hour through the forest trees, unlike natural forests, branches and fallen trees that are seen, Joypur was clean.
The forest officials were committed to cleaning the forest neat. Mounds of termite or ant hills were rampant.
Holes could be seen through them and few of our team members expected snakes to come out; however, none paid any visits to us.
a perfect spot for the termite hills to exist
Forested trails and fields
The forest road made a detour over the vast broken grounds and met another shorter forest cover and then disappeared as it met a lateritic un-metaled road.
It ran over an elevated section with a couple of small water bodies that reflected the shimmering bluish off-white sky above.
I reared up to catch few glimpses of the colorful scenery
None of the trees bore any fruits. Harsh looking trees stood like sentinels. We descended along the slope holding the craggy field escarpments that bordered the cultivated stretches.
The northeastern fringe was quite different. No forest cover but a huge field that lay untouched.
We found football field with two goal posts on either end. The explanation was complete – this catered as a sports ground for the local school or village boys and girls.
Looked quite strange as it co-existed with dense forest on one side.
Wildlife visits
In the early morning, this very field becomes the highway for heard of elephants that cross it and rummages over the rich vegetation that grew in the distance.
The watchman also showed us the watch tower at one end of the field. The tower also forms a circuit house maintained by the state government.
We heard that with a little bit of a plan, one can reserve a room or two to soak in the forest beauty.
The aim of this tower construction is to provide a panoramic view of the sprawling land and perhaps elephants and spotted deer that came grazing at will.
Made a full circle
We waited here for an hour facing the flesh cutting cold winds to see if any elephant comes our way for a healthy green diet; however, none could be seen. Mixed smells of wet wood and rotten leaves hemmed in around us.
After about spending three full hours roaming around, the thought of a hearty breakfast was very much dangled in our minds, so we slowly retreated the way we had come.
The day grew older and the quietness had started to diminish.
through the farmland
The trees, the sky, and the wind played amazing tricks which cannot be explained.
The soul inside was washed with goodness of natural purity.
We had made a plan to visit a place which was historic and a lay couple of miles away from this spot.
We made a beeline for the resort skirting a water body which looked pristine. Apart from occasional ripples caused by the resident fishes, the pond surface looked like a stained glass
On entering back to the resort, we were all well received by the canine mother of the puppy who had seen us off in the early hours of the day.
A baffled look on her face told us that she was still not very happy about how trustworthy we were to have left her little one around us.
still in a contemplative mood, we walked on
We gathered to have our breakfast which consisted of hot serving ‘puris‘ along with ‘aloor dum‘ or potato curry dish.
Extremely tasty and was gulped down with steaming tea.
Our cars waited for the next venue of Joypur forest.
I am sure you’re quite eager to hear it as much as I would love to narrate.
Inference
- Joypur forest offers wonderful walking trails with the forest around.
- It will be advisable to go in groups and not alone.
- If you are lucky, you may see elephants and wild life.
- Best time would be the months of December through January.
| Places to see around the forest lodge | Forested trails, the highway, fields, and water bodies |
| Time to explore | Early morning in groups but not in the evening as it gets quite remote |
| Winter clothing | A light jacket over a pullover |
| Distance From Kolkata to Joypur Forest, Bankura | 131 Kms NW of Kolkata, Near Bishnupur |
| Car used, Diesel burned | Maruti Swift Diesel 1.2 L, Total Distance = 362 Kms, 12.9 Liters Of Diesel |
| Pocket pinch | Rs.1250-Rs.1300 (Fuel), Rs.3000 Per Night (Standard Room), Rs.7500 Per Night (Deluxe Rooms), Non Veg Dishes Range Around Rs.320 Adding Up To Rs.400 Per Person. |
| Part 1 – Joypur forest refuge, an unforgettable drive | https://wp.me/pbXnOA-CP |
| Part 3 – Abandoned British airfield at Joypur jungle | https://wp.me/pbXnOA-BP |
| Part 4 – Self sufficiency turns Joypur, a fresh heaven | https://wp.me/pbXnOA-zV |
SPITFIRE GAUTAM 