When The Forest Is Deep And Nature Silent

Kaberi Thakur recounts a happy memory of visiting the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha.

- Kaberi Thakur

October 23, 2017. A group of four women Dignitarians boarded the night train, Howrah Koraput Express, from Howrah. The destination was Sambalpur in Odisha. Actually the plan was to visit the historical Hirakund Dam along with the not-so-old Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary that is located where the main reservoir of the dam lies. We were well aware that all national parks usually remain closed up to October but there was no other way out. Railway reservation availability and other inconveniences mattered and hence the date was final. We were mentally prepared that chances of entry into the forest were very remote since none of us had any VIP connection. To add to our desperation was the persistent inclement weather caused by the deep depression formed on the coast of Odisha. In fact, we were almost on the verge of cancelling the trip when almost miraculously the weather changed and we four senior citizens, greatly relieved, boarded the train.