Forest Walk

A 3-km trail that starts from Vayu Kutir in Diyara village and takes you through the adjacent forest down into a shallow valley over a mountain stream and then up a hill side to the next village, Swara, is ideal for morning and evening walks.

The forest trail (Left) starting from Vayu Kutir

Almost the entire trail runs along two alternating mountain streams.

Crossing the first stream

To start with, the trail goes along the stream that skirts the high ground on which our village is located.

Climbing up after crossing the first stream

Through out the trail, the gradients are gentle, but the path is stony mandating rugged footwear.

Regaining high ground

After crossing the stream, as you climb up to regain height the trail circles the high ground on which Swara is perched and you get to see a much larger stream / khad.

The trail along the stream that skirts Swara

Along the trail, there is solitude but not silence. Besides the sound of burbling of the stream there is the incessant chirping and calling of Subirds, Babblers, Robins, Magpies, Mynahs, Whiteyes, Barbets, Kingfishers, and Coucals.

Along the trail there is solitude but not silence!

Occasionally, there is the cacophony of pea fowl and jungle fowl alerting the forest to your presence. If you are lucky you get to see a colorful avian such as a Minivet. Human presence is rare - an occasional farmer out with his goats or cutting wood.

A Minivet spotted along the trail

I once spotted a Grey Langur. The distant cousin was neither threatening nor threatened and looked as curious as his human cousin surprised by the encounter.

Grey Langur

Note

The forest trail becomes unusable during the rainy season due to dense foliage growth.