Things to note while visiting Indian Jungles during the rainy season

abheekg · 26th June 2011, 21:14

Final word from the forest department regarding confirmation of continuation of park activities vis-a-vis closure post 15 July in Tadoba is still pending. In the meanwhile here are some general guidelines for people planning to visit central indian or other forests during the rainy season. This is a Tadoba specific writeup but most of the things written about in this are applicable for visit to any other forest. Feel free to add things from your experience.

Tadoba is easily accessible from Nagpur through the Navegaon and Kolara gates (appx 100 kms from Nagpur) ; and via Moharli gate (appx 180 kms from Nagpur). This place becomes an easy getaway destination from cities like Nagpur , Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai over the weekend. Based on my experience last monsoons, here are some points to ponder while preparing for an adventure weekend visit to this jungle in the rainy season.

There are 200% chances of very heavy rains during your visit. Come prepared to keep yourself and your stuff dry. Carry and pack your stuff in soft polythene bags (which don't make noise when you handle them in the jungle) inside your waterproof backpacks.

Check these 3 videos to see the conditions you will expect during the drives :

YouTube - ‪Tadoba visit in torrential rains - entry at Navegaon gate‬&rlm;

YouTube - ‪Tadoba visit in torrential rains - jungle drive in rains‬&rlm;

YouTube - ‪MOV0085A.mp4‬&rlm;

Pack a mosquito net or atleast good amount of anti mosquito gear. There will be good amount of mosquitoes, bugs and scorpions where ever u go.

Sport shoes/Hiking shoes preferably ankle high and socks are a must. There are full chances of your footwear becoming wet and mud caked. It is advisable to travel light and carry about 2-3 changes of clothes.

Carry adequate cash (arrange to keep cash dry) as there will be no atms within 100km radius of where we are going.
We will visit this part Wikimapia - Let's describe the whole world! of the Tadoba Jungle accessig it via Kolara or Navegaon or Moharli from Nagpur through the Navegaon and Kolara gates. Check the attached map for details.

If you are planing to drive down, the route from Hyderabad is as follows:

Take the Karimnagar Road (via Hyderabad localities Bowenpally and Tirumelgerry), and go via Siddipet. From Karimnagar, go via Ramagundam to Mancherial. Distances are Hyderabad-Karimnagar 170 kms-Ramagundam 60 (via NTPC)-Mancherial 20 (crossing River Godavari).

From Mancherial, go to Asifabad (65 kms) via Kazipet. After Asifabad, cross over into Maharashtra and Chandrapur is 65 kms away via Balharshah.

Total distance is 380 kms.

Alternative route is to continue on NH7 via Kamareddi, Armur and Nirmal till Guri Hatnur (20 kms before Adilabad), where you turn towards Indravelli and Utnoor. At Utnoor, take the district road via Janiur and Kerimeri to ASifabad and follow the earlier route mentioned from Asifabad. Distances on this route are: Hyderabad-Nirmal 230 kms-Guri Hatnur 60-Utnoor 35-Asifabad 75-Chandrapur 65, totalling 465 kms.

Obviously, the Karimnagar route is shorter, and preferred for that reason.

I have driven on Mancherial-Karimnagar-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Nirmal-Adilabad and Guri Hatnur-Utnoor-Asifabad roads and they were all good in the summer. Road after NH7 via Utnoor is narrow after Utnoor. Strong Naxal areas, avoid travel during night. I have no idea of the road after Asifabad.

The route from Nagpur to Navegao/Kolara gate is Nagpur-Umred-Bhisi-Chimur-Khadsangi-Nagegaon (100 kms)

In the jungle be prepared to haul your 2 wheel drive vehicle by pulling with the aid of towing ropes or by pushing if it gets stuck in the mud and slush. It is advisable to come prepared with all terrain tyres on your vehicle. In case of difficulty my gypsy will be available to haul you out of distress. Please check the integrity of the towing points on your vehicle and come prepared with a towing rope with shackles at both ends.

Carry atleast 20 litres of extra fuel in airtight jerry cans. Nearest petrol / diesel bunk is 80kms away.

Carry medicines (paracetamol , ofloxacin , tinidazole atleast) and 25 liter water bottles if u r finicky about drinking unprocessed ground water.

Carry mobile phones with extra charged battery - only reliance cdma, reliance gsm and bsnl gsm will work. It is advisable to carry additional charged batteries for all electrical appliances including cameras.

:Things to carry

waterproof backpack
Umbrella(s)
change of clothes
1 blanket
polythene bags (soft)
cap
sunglasses
medications
anti mosquito gear
Sport shoes/Hiking shoes- ankle high
cash
Tool kit for vehicle
towing rope
spare wheel
drinking water
torch with spare batteries
mobile phone with extra charged battery - only reliance cdma, reliance gsm and bsnl gsm will work.
additional charged batteries for all electrical appliances
20 liters of extra fuel in airtight jerry cans - for contingency purposes.

Those who are not used to it, please note that your survival instincts may be tested during this trip.
See you all very soon. Peace.

Dr. Abheek Ghosh
Mobile : +919960332228
www.facebook.com/abheekg

babureddy · 26th June 2011, 21:24

One very important to note is keep away from old trees, mainly in those areas were there is lot of rain and during rainy season.
In one of our treks some time ago, we were in a thick forest area. Lot of huge trees, it was raining and we planned to continue since it had just stopped and was lightly drizzling. We stood in one place to get a photo. Between the members who were posing and the photographer, we just had few feet. Just as we were about to click, we heard a sound and it was a small branch that fell right inbetween. exactly a couple of feet on either side would have proved very bad for us. though the branch was small and would not have had any affect if it was dry, due to the rains, it was quite heavy. Hope you guys got what I am saying.
Keep it safe...

neel385 · 29th June 2011, 00:36

Don't know if they are there in Tadoba, but leeches are also a problem in the forests, specially during the rainy season. Though they look terrible, they are quite harmless and all you need to make them fall off is a bit of salt sprinkled around the latch point. So maybe you might want to keep a little salt handy as well!

gd1418 · 29th June 2011, 12:59

My two cents and applies specifically to photographers - beginners, serious hobbyists, prosumers etc.

Get this to protect your camera gear from the rains and also take pictures without any worry

Kata E-702. Elements Covers (Kata Bags)

Costs Rs.3300/-

Read about its efficacy and how it protected my camera gear in Pench in post #: 96 of - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...gurgaon-7.html

libranof1987 · 29th June 2011, 18:11

Salt comes very handy if you happen to roam around dense forests or water falls as leeches are abundant.

Before entering a waterfall, just have some salt spread on your legs and arms.

Generally, water falls that are managed by the forest dept. provide salt when you take the entry ticket. Eg. Hanumangundi (near Kudremukh)

Another imp. thing : carry a swiss-knife (or alike); you never know what you get stuck into.

From personal experience : if you happen to be riding, carry some eye-gear. The oncoming rain hits straight on your eye almost blinding you. So, it is always good if you have eye-gear in place. If you have the helmet visor, nothing like it : prevents your head from getting wet too.

26th June 2011, 21:24	#2
babureddy BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 191 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	Re: Things to note while visiting Indian Jungles during the rainy season One very important to note is keep away from old trees, mainly in those areas were there is lot of rain and during rainy season. In one of our treks some time ago, we were in a thick forest area. Lot of huge trees, it was raining and we planned to continue since it had just stopped and was lightly drizzling. We stood in one place to get a photo. Between the members who were posing and the photographer, we just had few feet. Just as we were about to click, we heard a sound and it was a small branch that fell right inbetween. exactly a couple of feet on either side would have proved very bad for us. though the branch was small and would not have had any affect if it was dry, due to the rains, it was quite heavy. Hope you guys got what I am saying. Keep it safe...
	() Thanks

29th June 2011, 00:36	#3
neel385 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kharagpur Posts: 530 Thanked: 429 Times View My Garage	Re: Things to note while visiting Indian Jungles during the rainy season Don't know if they are there in Tadoba, but leeches are also a problem in the forests, specially during the rainy season. Though they look terrible, they are quite harmless and all you need to make them fall off is a bit of salt sprinkled around the latch point. So maybe you might want to keep a little salt handy as well!
	() Thanks

29th June 2011, 12:59	#4
gd1418 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,578 Thanked: 728 Times View My Garage	Re: Things to note while visiting Indian Jungles during the rainy season My two cents and applies specifically to photographers - beginners, serious hobbyists, prosumers etc. Get this to protect your camera gear from the rains and also take pictures without any worry Kata E-702. Elements Covers (Kata Bags) Costs Rs.3300/- Read about its efficacy and how it protected my camera gear in Pench in post #: 96 of - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...gurgaon-7.html
	() Thanks

29th June 2011, 18:11	#5
libranof1987 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: All over! Posts: 7,618 Thanked: 18,348 Times	Re: Things to note while visiting Indian Jungles during the rainy season Salt comes very handy if you happen to roam around dense forests or water falls as leeches are abundant. Before entering a waterfall, just have some salt spread on your legs and arms. Generally, water falls that are managed by the forest dept. provide salt when you take the entry ticket. Eg. Hanumangundi (near Kudremukh) Another imp. thing : carry a swiss-knife (or alike); you never know what you get stuck into. From personal experience : if you happen to be riding, carry some eye-gear. The oncoming rain hits straight on your eye almost blinding you. So, it is always good if you have eye-gear in place. If you have the helmet visor, nothing like it : prevents your head from getting wet too.
	() Thanks