A cool dip in a stream after several hours of trekking is nothing sort of heaven, says Sukumar. “We carried hurricane lamps and trekked the seven hills on a full moon day. We sipped sukku coffee, the only drink that was served up there in the hills.” This was on a trek in the Velliangiri Hills. Sukumar is an enthusiastic naturalist and he has written several books on birds and the environment such as Imayavalam on his treks to the Himalayas. His other book, The Nesting Behaviour of Indian Birds records nesting characteristics and behaviour of 51 species of birds. He writes under the pen name Chinna Sathan
Now he records his trekking experiences in the Western Ghats over the last 15 years in a new book titled Malai Mugadu (Sandhya Publications, Chennai). There are 20 articles on places like Melmudi, Sirumgai, Vandal dam, Siruvani, Othimalai, Attaikatti and some of the archaeological sites like Kazhugu Malai near Sankaran Koil in Tirunelveli and Narthamalai in Pudukottai.
“While trekking to Attaikatti near Valparai I joined a team that conducted a census on the Nilgiri Tahr. Before entering the Sirumgai forest during Veerappan’s time, I had to sign a declaration that I am entering the forest at my own risk,” he laughs. As he flips through the pages of his book, he points to a photograph of a cave temple, which he clicked at Kazhugu Malai. “It is an unfinished temple but it speaks volumes of the workmanship. It is amazing that the artisans have carved the temple out of the mountain where the main deity is lord Siva playing the mridangam. At Narthamalai, you can see a mini replica of the pancha rathas of Mahabalipuram temple, and cave temples,” he says.
Sukumar firmly believes that every single outing with Nature is unique and makes him feel younger than his 64 years.
“After a trip into the forest, you always return to the grind of city life with renewed energy. In the forest, you live every moment as you have to watch out every single step you take in the wild. This works as a great stress-buster, as you don’t have any other thought in your head” he says.
“Whenever I go to Vandal Dam near Valparai I don’t feel like coming back. There is nothing to match the thrill of the green forests, waterfalls and pied kingfishers taking off from the stream. The tribals at Karimutti settlement there are so warm. We share food with them and enjoy the ragi and kambhu kazhi they make. They escort us into the interiors of the forest,” he says.
In his book, he talks about Manampalli near Valparai. “We stayed at a guest house in the middle of nowhere. There is no electricity. All you can hear is the gurgle of wild streams around. You can dip your feet in them and soak in the silence. It is meditative. But you also have to watch out for the crocodiles!” he warns.
Sukumar has also enjoyed watching flying squirrels and the ruby-throated bulbul at Chinnar. “At the foothills of Perumalmudi, I also saw the rarely spotted quacker babblers, which are smaller in size and flies at a very low level from the ground. What we commonly see is the big-sized white-headed babbler.”
Sukumar advises, “Once inside, you have to respect the animals and observe silence. Always wear camouflaged clothes and avoid perfumes. Respect the tribals who know the forest better than you. Please avoid plastics,” he entreats. “At Velliangiri Hills, plastic bags are strewn everywhere.”
The author is the founder of Protect our Environment Trust. He conducts classes on environment in schools and colleges through a tie-up with Vanam India foundation, an NGO. “We have to catch them early and bring about the change at the grassroots level on conserving Nature.”
The book, he says, is a personal experience, that he hopes will guide others who want to enjoy Nature.
“We keep telling our children about nilachoru and vanachoru but no one really goes into the jungle. I hope the book inspires them to venture in.”
The book is available at Vijaya Pathipagam at Town Hall. You can also buy online at www.sandhyapublications.com
For more details, Call: 98421-06430
