It was well past the 10 pm ‘no noise’ curfew in the outskirts of the forest when the obnoxiously loud thumping of music began echoing throughout the retreat campus where I was staying. Instead of being embraced by the promised tranquillity of mesmerizing wilderness, I found myself amid the deafening chaos of urban revellers who were partying like there was no tomorrow.
As I lay in my luxurious room, decked with exquisite mahogany furniture, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated by the noise outside. I had ventured into the forest to escape the noisy clamour of my big city life, where the nights leading up to New Year’s Eve were a never-ending party. The last thing I expected was to be surrounded by the same commotion amidst the serene atmosphere of the forest.
The bass was so loud that it felt like the very foundation of the building was auditioning for “India’s Got Vibes.”. Determined to make the most of my upcoming single-person safari, I ignored the noise and drifted off to sleep. Also, I was exhausted from the day’s excursions to the Khajuraho temples and a small hike to the Raneh Falls and in no mood for confrontation.
Little did I know that the very next night, I would find myself in an unlikely role as the proud party pooper, determined to uphold the forest’s serenity and stop any unruly celebrations.
A Quest for Tranquillity Amidst the Wild & Wild Parties
When I was in my teens & 20s, year-ends used to be exciting times to slip out of the routine and revel in parties with loud music and high spirits. Now in my 40s, I want exactly the opposite, serenity, nature, and seclusion. So, at the 2022 year-end, I decided to head to my favourite space on the entire earth – the forests. I had booked myself for some wildlife safaris at Panna Tiger Reserve, located in Madhya Pradesh. I was super excited to welcome the new year 2023, amidst the presence of wilderness and tigers.
As I lay down to sleep amidst the wilderness of Panna, my mind was torn between excitement and frustration. The anticipation of my first solo safari experience at the Tiger Reserve the next morning had me buzzing with excitement.
However, the incessant thumping bass from nearby New Year’s celebrations was a frustrating reminder that the outside world had encroached upon this pristine environment. I knew that this urban scene had no place in the serene natural surroundings that enveloped me, and my heart was heavy with the thought of how such noise pollution could disrupt the delicate balance of this ecosystem.
Panna: Where Roars of Conservation Triumph Over Urban Chaos
Next morning, determined to put an end to the commotion, I made my way to the Madla gate of the Panna Tiger Reserve. Despite my best efforts, the forest guard I spoke to was unable to help me, and instead gave me the contact details for a local police officer. Though I was initially disheartened by this response, I was soon lost in the beauty of the lush green forest, with its glistening water bodies and the gentle flow of the Ken river. The outside world’s raucous sounds slowly faded away as I immersed myself in the peaceful depths of the forest.
The Panna Tiger Reserve is a unique biosphere which had battled near-extinction of tigers due to rampant poaching until 2009. However, thanks to collaborative efforts by NGOs, the wildlife department, and locals, Panna now proudly boasts a thriving population of Tigers.
Unlike many reserves, Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) rejects the concept of zones, allowing tourists to freely explore 20 percent of its core area through safari trails. The landscape is a symphony of dry deciduous forests adorned with mahua, arjuna, tendu, kullu, and kardhai trees, harmonizing with extensive grasslands.
The wilderness may not always reveal its most iconic residents, but in Panna, every corner teems with life — leopards, jungle cats, gharials, the elusive striped hyena, and Indian Jackals. The air vibrates with the presence of herbivores: Chinkara, Chital, Nilgai, Sambhar, the elegant Chousingha and a rich avian life.
While I didn’t have the good fortune of spotting the majestic tiger, during my solo safari mission, I was delighted by the sightings of a hyena, a jungle cat, and numerous birds. At the Dundhwa Seha Valley point, I was awestruck by the abundance of vultures soaring gracefully above me, their impressive wingspans taking my breath away.
The absence of a tiger sighting became inconsequential in the face of the vibrant life that thrives, reminding me that true conservation is a melody where every note, every species, contributes to the grand composition of a harmonious wilderness.
Panna Chronicles: A Gallery of Nature’s Symphony in Madhya Pradesh
A Diplomatic Intervention & Party Pooper Time
Later in the evening, my friends, fellow seekers of a silent New Year in the heart of nature, joined me at Panna. To our dismay, the urban revellers persisted in disrupting the tranquility with their boisterous celebrations for a second consecutive night.
I approached the manager to express my annoyance at the loud night’s festivities. While sympathetic, he seemed powerless to control the situation, citing that the majority of the revellers were women who had not respected his request to keep the volume low. Refusing to accept defeat, I reminded him of the forest rule of no noise after 10 pm, and shared the police contact information with him, in case!
As it became apparent that the matter wouldn’t be hushed easily, fuelled by a sense of responsibility for the creatures and their habitat, I decided to take matters into my own hands. In the following day’s lunch break, I sought out one of the weary female revellers, her disheveled appearance betraying the previous night’s excesses. Despite her evident exhaustion, I couldn’t let this opportunity slip through my fingers.
With a firm yet polite approach, I explained to her the significance of the forest rules that prohibit any noise after 10 pm, and how it can greatly affect the sensitive hearing capabilities of the animals in the vicinity. I implored her to keep the volume low and respect the serene environment of the jungle. In the moment, she listened attentively and nodded. But as I walked away, I couldn’t help but wonder about the outcome of our brief exchange.
Sighting Of A Tigress That Almost Slipped Away
As we set out for my evening safari, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment after catching a glimpse of a beautiful tigress in Panna, having almost given up the hope. The sighting of the stripped monk had given me the strength to be ready for any confrontation that could happen at night, with the partygoers’ loud, raunchy music.
However, to my surprise, when we returned there was a an eery silence at the retreat. Upon inquiring, the staff informed me that the revellers had relocated their party to an urban area after hearing about my warning to call the police. The resort manager even apologized and enforced the curfew more strictly that night. I couldn’t help but feel proud of my role in ensuring that peace reigned supreme in the jungle.
Relishing Tranquility & A Plea for Wildlife Respect
Relieved, my friends and I were able to spend the last day of 2022 in the tranquility we had hoped for. We celebrated with creative board games, toasting to the prospect of more memorable moments.
While I may have spoiled the New Year’s celebrations for some, I firmly believe that the wilderness is not the place for such festivities. The jungle is a habitat for a diverse range of animals, birds, and reptiles, and their hearing capabilities are far more sensitive than ours.
Loud music can be unbearable for humans, let alone the wildlife that call the forest their home. Therefore, I implore all revelers to keep their parties and noise within the confines of urban areas and let the peace of the jungle remain undisturbed. Because I am sure revellers don’t like party poopers!