Maneater of Devprayag / Chandmari.

[msbabbar]

fantastic narration.....

[captrakshitsharma]

Travelogues of our own Doc Sahib in the Land of Carpet Sahib....

[rraju2805]

Prasantsinghji ,

At last I upload those pics in photobucket....

http://s1134.photobucket.com/albums/m618/raju2805/

[prashantsingh]

Good narration man, It would be better if someone compiles them into a PDF and distributes it freely (I'll give server space if needed) BTW seeing the pictures of the house, I'd ask only one thing how's the toilet? lol BTW the rice fields looks weird to me. You sure they are rice if yes what type of rice is that? I work at rice field and the flowers look different than here.

Not rice, looks like corn/ maize/ makka.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

Priyan,
There are NO toilets in these houses and there is no running water. One has to go out into the open fields. Infact (like I mentioned) a number of leopard attacks take place in a case of mistaken identily. At times the leopard attacks a child thinking him to be a four legged animal , which the kid is in sitting possition.

Abhijeet,
Those Are rice fields. I also mistook them to Corn (initially) because they are as tall. This is a "pahari" variety which is round(instead) and light brown in colour. Tastes like porridge.

Beautiful photographs Raju.

(Like the locals greet)
"Jai Badri Vishaal."

Updated on 9 July 2023
This rice is called Jhangora rice.

[gladiatorgarg]

awesome narration mr singh waiting for more,it ll b great if u kn kindly post the video if its not a problem for u

[rraju2805]

Beautiful photographs Raju.

(Like the locals greet)
"Jai Badri Vishaal."

Thanx a lot prasantji.

"JAY BADRI VISHAAL."
"JAY KEDARNATHJI KI "

[sa_ali]

lovely narration, after a long time got something which kept all of us hooked up:)

You need some courage to walk in that field at night. I hope that you ppl get that leopard before it gets any more.

[prashantsingh]

I hope that you ppl get that leopard before it gets any more.

Unfortunatey sa_ali the fact is that we are helpless. Now all we can do is wait for him to strike again. Only that will give us an idea of his whereabouts.
It is a horrible feeling.

[dr.jayakumar]

can i join you?
i won't be a problem,i hope.

[Rajat]

Singh was flashing his light all across the mountains.At times forming figures of Z 's ,L's and going up and down the ridge vertically.
The slightest reflection would catch his eyes.
He would then focus the light on the bonnet of the jeep, and the driver would pull the vehicle to a halt.

And

At the slightest of sound Singh would stop and focus the light in that direction.

And

Another flick of the light and the eyes looked yellow.
"Leopard" said Singh. I couldn't believe my ears. "Pull up the rifle, but don't shoot till I tell you to". He said.
We continued and after another 150 yards we stopped.The road took a sharp bend here. Singh focused the light again , and sure enought. There infront of us. About 60 yards ahead . Up on the ridge was this beautiful leopard .Looking down at us . Singh handed the light to the forest guard

And

We had our small pocket torches and a flash light to provide us with all the illumination

Ok this is enough!

I guess that the lights were an important part of your equipment. Its time someone asked you what sort of lights are these?

Details please. Thanks.

[joydeepm]

Prashant

fascinating . Not only you are a lucky man - you have a gift for words my friend . Keep them coming . Best of luck and good hunting . This is a god gifted opportunity and I sure pray to God that you are able to bag the animal .

Just wanted to know from you whether you have been able to map the leopard's beat . How far does it venture out to ?

The reason I am asking is that starting next friday , I am planning to do a little hiking in that area - visit some places around Pauri and then go over to the Valley of flowers .
best

Joydeep

[ckkalyan]

Jai Badri Vishaal

[Vikram]

Dear Prashant,

Any updates?Thanks.


Best-
Vikram

[prashantsingh]

Any updates?
Vikram

None.
Heavy rains past couple of weeks.
Waiting for info. from the forest guys.


Corbett the famous hunter and conservationist who killed several maneaters in this area more than half a century ago said "a man eater is one who has been compelled through stress of circumstancs beyond it's control. to adopt a diet alien to it. The stress of circumstances is , in nine cases out of ten, wounds, and in tenth case old age."

Surprisingly, this has changed and is no longer true. Hunters in recent years have seen healthy leopards turning maneaters.
This is a sad development.
They are turning bold simply due to over exposure to humans and have lost the fear of man, which is otherwise inherent in them. Needless to say , the over exposure is due to increase human population and a shrinking habitat.
The last maneater shot by Singh was a young female.
As mentioned earlier. This is going to take time.

[bodhijobs]

Any updates?
Vikram

None.
Heavy rains past couple of weeks.
Waiting for info. from the forest guys.


Corbett the famous hunter and conservationist who killed several maneaters in this area more than half a century ago said "a man eater is one who has been compelled through stress of circumstancs beyond it's control. to adopt a diet alien to it. The stress of circumstances is , in nine cases out of ten, wounds, and in tenth case old age."

Surprisingly, this has changed and is no longer true. Hunters in recent years have seen healthy leopards turning maneaters.
This is a sad development.
They are turning bold simply due to over exposure to humans and have lost the fear of man, which is otherwise inherent in them. Needless to say , the over exposure is due to increase human population and a shrinking habitat.
The last maneater shot by Singh was a young female.
As mentioned earlier. This is going to take time.

Prashantji,

Dont you think its still the same, the transformation to a maneater? If you see what Sir Jim Corbett said, the words are still relevant. He says "compelled through stress of circumstancs beyond it's control". Its the same what you have mentioned, increase of human population and shrinking habitat. This is forcing the beast to come in close contact to the humans, goats, cows etc and these are becoming easy preys solely because of the fact that the forest area is reduced for the beast to hunt.

Regards
Bodhisattwa