A PLACE WHERE HUMANS HAVE NO CONTROL

What in Wilderness is this place?

The WILD Foundation defines wilderness areas as: The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet that humans do not control and have not developed it. My first expedition to observe animals in their natural habitat spending time in the bushes has been an experience of understanding and appreciating the Creator even more.

Prior to entering the designate gate of the animal kingdom the dos and don’t were spelt. Plastic bottles now a ban & glass water bottles available with a refund option on return. No mobiles on person, this surely was the beginning of an understanding and building human relationship with the wild nature.

The creator’s natural dense woodland beauty in a jiffy overshadowed the man-made concrete jungle I came from. The sight and sounds of the jungles was beginning to be understood and was having its direct impact on my ‘Mind and Soul’. Our well-furnished houses seemed no match to the fine placements of nature’s vastness; that included many kinds of tree species, patches of grasses, bamboo thickets, flowers and water bodies. Along with it were livings of insects, reptiles, birds and animals all having their space and privacy. The variety of all of them was a realisation of the creators care & concern for nature. Some trees had their roots falling from heights into the ground so beautifully entangled like a women’s plat. Bird watching was never such a treat with so many species and their uniqueness. Some birds when in flight their wings opened to such colourful mix, putting shame to any human dress designer’s creations. Our cameras could not stop capturing the presence of many herbivorous grazing along the way. The beginners luck into such environment did manage sights of spotted deer’s, pigs, boars, peacocks, rabbits, gaur, sloth bears, crocodile and langurs.

Barren paths were closely observed by our safari guides to identify large animal’s foot prints and the side they were travelling. For a change the humans were more observant and much silent. For many visitors spotting tigers and leopard meant a successful trip but there is much more besides them. The beasts had names like Sharmili, Chotti Madhu, Rudra. Each commanded a territory without markings but respected by others. There was no religion to conflict, no discrimination of caste or creed, rich or poor discrimination, no politics and breaking news, no marketing lies, the cycle of life had Godly terms. The animals freedom, struggle, survival had its own discipline.

Being in the jungle at night is an experience to be taken. Leaves that once served as a shade on branches made their use even when fallen to the ground. They provided the sound to hear a movement of some creature around you. The guides developed skills to hear and relate to calls of other animals to track larger beasts. A coordinated action by our guide and driver took us by real surprise when they shut down the torch light, car lights and its engine. Wow! the darkness and the silence in the dense woody surrounding became the highlight for me as there was spontaneous connectivity with my Hukum. Pure moments of Godly presence and my praise for HIM only grew.

Gurbani has writings about the wilderness and I can now relate with them well.

O Nanak, “don't be anxious; the Lord will take care of you. He created the creatures in water, and He gives them their nourishment. There are no stores open there, and no one farms there. No business is ever transacted there, and no one buys or sells. Animals eat other animals; this is what the Lord has given them as food. He created them in the oceans, and He provides for them as well. O Nanak, don't be anxious; the Lord will take care of you. SGGS 955

“The animals and the birds frolic and play-they do not see death………SGGS 43

The sooner we understand the blessing of being human the better.