Boat Ride -The Best Stress Buster !!

Our Innova was on the way to Pench Dam. Passing through the green landscape I was excited and a bit concerned at the same time. Finally I had the chance to experience a Boat ride in the picturesque surroundings of the  hillocks and the green forest. While looking out of the vehicle, I could see the dark clouds hovering in the same direction where we were going. The rain could possibly play the spoilsport. But, Mr.Amol Khante of CAC Allrounder in the driving seat was least worried. ‘Bahut Maza Ayega’ were his assuring words.

It was a pleasant day. I was in my office preparing myself for a presentation about ‘Agri-tourism Training’ for the aspiring farmers of the region.  In the midst of the preparation I got the call from my dear friend Mr. Amol Khante. ‘ Chalo, let’s have an experience of the Boat ride in the forest’ were the words. He was about to start around 1300hrs.

Luckily, the timing was convenient. I could complete the Agri-tourism Training presentation by 1230 hrs and reached the designated place for the pickup. The boat ride experience has been pending since long. I had been promoting this activity but needed a first hand experience of what was exactly being offered.

Once you leave Nagpur, the landscape changes dramatically from the urban to rural. Our vehicle passed through many Nagpur Mandarin orchards, cotton fields and finally the paddy fields. If anyone wishes to see the real beauty of the farming, I strongly recommend to  watch the transplanting  operation of the paddy. It’s a sight to behold. If possible,  involve yourself and have the experience.

The journey towards the Pench Dam brought out some nostalgia. On way, I was thinking about the numerous memorable experiences of myself on the boat. One by one each one of them was appearing in my mind.  

As a child  my parents could take me and my brother to the ‘Maitri Bag’ in Bhilai. It was the only place where we could enjoy the zoo, the garden, occasional train ride and the boat ride. While boating the fishes and the aquatic plants in water amused us. There was a hanging bridge under which the boat could pass.

Our next exciting boat ride was at Bhedaghat near Jabalpur. We had been there for my cousin’s wedding. As the ‘Barat’ was scheduled to arrive in the evening and we had reached in the morning by bus, we grabbed this chance of visiting the Marble Rocks and the Dhuandhaar waterfalls. But, the most memorable part was the boat ride with the surrounding site of marble in various colors.

During my college days I was in NCC Naval wing. I was  the part of team of rowing  the boat called whalers. We would regularly practice at the Futala lake. The importance of the performance as a team was the valuable takeaway for me.

We had planned to have a homestay in Nagao, a beach village 8 km from Alibag. For reaching Alibag we had this one hour enjoyable ride in the ‘Launch’ from Gateway of India to the nearest jetty. Our homestay was just besides the beach at Shintre Wadi. While returning we boarded the Catamaran to the Gateway of India.

With these varied experiences, what was so special about this particular boat ride in the Pench Dam at Navegaon Khairi?   

The answer lies in the absolutely stunning landscape surrounding the dam !!!

The Pench river which originates in the Mahadeo hills of  Chindwara district in Madhya Pradesh flows into the Maharashtra and later merges with Kanhan river at Bina in the Nagpur District. The journey of Pench is  the short one. The region through which it flows is  the most beautiful part.

The Totladoh dam , a hydro-electric project, built on this river on the state borders is an important source of water and power supply to the Nagpur district. As one proceeds further on the river, we reach the smaller dam at Navegaon khairi, the Pench Dam. The water stored in the reservoir is used for the irrigation purpose and it also serves as major supply  for the Nagpur city.

The whole region of Totladoh  and the Pench Dam  water bodies have formed a biodiversity which has become an ideal habitat for herbivorous animals and the birds.  Looking at this healthy prey base lot of  carnivorous flourish in this region and the topmost of them is the Tiger. These water bodies have been crucial for the developing the region as an ideal  Tiger Habitat....and the name Pench Tiger Reserve !!!

The geography is rugged. This is the southern slopes  of the Satpuda range and the forest is majorly southern tropical dry  deciduous teak forest. The portion where this boat ride activity is done is this smaller reservoir of Pench dam and while doing so enjoying the scenic beauty is the bonus.  

So, we were on our way to this beautiful site. It took less than 90 minutes to reach here. The sun was playing hide and seek. There was another group of friends waiting for us. As we reached the jetty, the dark clouds had gathered and from far distance over the water body we could see the rains approaching.

Wow !! Simply Wow !! It gives an overwhelming feeling once you see it approaching….

As expected, it started raining heavily and we were left with the only option of remain seated in the vehicle. According to Mr. Khante, the boating was dangerous in the rain and it was prudent enough to wait. We patiently waited for an hour. Once it was safe to carry-on with the boating, we equipped ourselves with the jackets and began our journey on the boat.

We were all equipped with our sanitizers and while seating took extra care of social distancing. I observed that the water body has caused the small hillocks to submerge. But, the top of these hillocks was sufficient enough for the  birds to nest. Some of the birds I could identify were, Cormorants, Open Billed Storks. Night herons, Pond Herons  etc. All were perched up on the trees. Ideally a photographers and birdwatchers delight.

There  we could also see the cage based fisheries projects. Many birds were sitting patiently here to have an easy catch. 

It was raining but it was pleasant. We could see the blanket of the clouds  on the hills surrounding the reservoir. Lots and lots of photo opportunities for all of us. As the net connectivity was good, we could share our photographs on the social media and on our respective groups on the Whatsapp.

While enjoying the ride we could see Kuwara bhivsen – the temple of the  most revered tribal deity of the region at a distance. The water body was calm and  overall atmosphere was magical. As ours was an experiential trip, we were told that during the summers one could see the crocodiles basking in the sun on the banks.

As we approached the jetty, we could see another group waiting for the ride. As I  de-boarded, I could identify my fellow travel agent friends who had come for the experience. The boat ride is being projected as a safe activity for the nature loving Nagpurians. The travel agents of Nagpur have been looking for the new options to offer to their guests. So this is the one and its  very near to the city.

The nature activity is safe and during this pandemic most of the people in the city are looking for some kind of outing away from the crowd. Ideally, while enjoying the boat ride you are also enjoying the forest, you can also do bird watching, you can observe the fisheries project, you can gain knowledge by observing the trees in the forest and last but not the least it is very refreshing.

It is the best stress buster under the present scenario.

After de-boarding we had a cup of tea on the bank of the lake. While discussing with Mr. Khante, he opined that under the Covid19 condition, they were cautious enough and their approach was to delight the guests with the best practices of keeping them safe while conducting the activity.

The WOW factor of the ride makes the difference….and it is available in two options of 12km and 24km.

What are you waiting for ??

Equip yourself with the necessary gadgets and join us on this wonderful journey.

 

Amit Naseri

9422145190