Idyllic Sakoli that once was

Sakoli is 100 kms from Nagpur. In Bhandara district on the national highway that goes east towards Chhattisgarh, Sakoli has this unique landscape. From the highway that snakes right through it, an elongated hillock offers a wonderful backdrop. Surrounded by lakes all over, the place itself also has three lakes within its boundaries. One could count at least 20-odd lakes in the horizon from atop the hillock that offered a 360 degrees view.

Pink and orange of  Cotton Silk (Bombax Ceiba) lining the highway in spring, rugged browns in peak summer, paddy plantations’ greens in monsoon and mostly half empty yellow-grey farm plots interspersed with a variety of winter weeds and grasses. These are my prominent memories even when I left the place more than two decades ago.

The scenic setting has not changed much but what has is the proliferation of anthropogenic activities in and around Sakoli. To start with, population has increased, and in that, the number of pucca houses has increased exponentially. The commercial activity has increased. Sakoli has been a tehsil place for long but till about 2000s, it was a sleepy village that would witness almost empty streets after 7 pm. Things changed and how !!

During my recent trip, I found something that hurt me no end. Of the three lakes that I mentioned, one was ensconced between the hillock and a small, rocky outcrop. Hidden from the prying eyes, this lake was a serene place.

But the ‘development’ genie reached this quiet village too. Right next to this lake, right on its catchment, was built a resort with half a dozen cement-concrete buildings. Can never understand what prompts the authorities to give permissions for such activities and destroy the catchments of the lakes!!

Amarkantak’s two pictures

On any visit to a serene place, be it in the hills or plains, one always returns with two or three ‘freeze frames’ images. It happens with me always. And a recent trip to Amarkantak was no exception. It is in eastern Madhya Pradesh, on its border with Chhattisgarh.  

I went to Amarkantak this winter after 14-15 years. The Amarkantak that I saw this time was a far cry from the tranquil Amarkantak I remember from my younger years and a relatively better spot in 2006.

The temple complex which has a kund is considered the udgam, origin, of the sacred river Narmada. Any time of the day, the tank brimming with water reflects the temple, a minimum 1000-year vintage, stone structure painted with lime and hence sparkling white.

The difference between the changes in the landscape, the increased pollution, decreased jungles etc. were a cause of concern. But what was more disturbing for me was the ‘encroachment’ by a massive currently under construction Jain temple on a hill. (A disclaimer: I have nothing against Jainism or the Jain temple per say, the problem I have is the towering temple creating widespread felling of jungle around its designated spot and adding to concretization.)

The Jain temple is situated high on the hill that is part of the catchment of the minor streams that feed the origin of the Narmada river and its first few kilometres. The temple, rising above the canopies of whatever trees are left on that hill on the northern side of the temple complex is visible from the hills on the southern side. 

The site, to a layperson, offers a beautiful vista from far. But this appeared as an attack on my mind, body and soul in love with Narmada!!

The monsoon patterns ...

Delhi is eagerly awaiting rains but in other parts of India, specially in the Sahyadri (Maharashtra's name for Western Ghats), the monsoon has already arrived. In the jungles of central India, in the Madhya Pradesh, the green movement has already started. And the entire nature has blossomed with joy at the bounty of raindrops.

A beautiful rain flower 

This photo reminds me of the best of times I spent in the western ghats specially during the rainy season.

A fern peeping from behind a rock

A common site at all hilly terrains in rains is the abundance of ferns. The small shapely leaves, almost following a neat pattern, and almost in a bunch. Possibly, the reason why they are attractive to a camera person too.

What a pattern on a rock ...

And if the plants and trees and shrubs are displaying the grandeur, how can the oldest form - the rocks be behind. Don't know why, but this kind of pattern, one can actually miss in stark summers or foggy winters. But washed clean, these are prominently visible in rains. Suspect this is some volcanic rock formation, or may be, some formation of immense geological importance.

And who can forget this small wonders. A berry, a mohua flower. All with their unique properties, contributing to the lively jungle ecology.

But before signing away, I must share a man-made pattern, which is an equally essential part of the monsoon treks in Sahyadris. Slurrrrpppp ... ...

Raw mangoes sprinkled with red chili powder