This photograph is from an airplane window. Possibly north of Dholpur and Morena, as the plane was following NH3 from Mumbai to Gwalior and onwards. Just seemingly near and north of Ghatigaon, I could get this splendid photograph and was immediately reminded of the statement - "how green is my river?" and thought that it was indeed very remarkable for this very green river to run through the absolutely arid lands around it.
One could see arid lands stretching all the way, most probably from Dholpur-Morena to the Chambal valley. And there was this river, in absolute contrast to the arid brown, stark brown countryside. A green corridor, running about in the plains. I doubt if there was enough contour variation for this river to flow properly, but it seemed to do so. I got a series of photographs from the airplane, and the river was an absolute delight. It was green all the way, as far as I could see, and with good tree cover on its banks. One could only imagine the wilderness along with it, and the wild life that one could possibly sight in these places.
I have been to Ghatigaon, during 1983 to 1985, for surveys to sight the great Indian bustard. There used to be a good enough population of GIBs in those years in the Ghatigaon Wildlife Sanctuary. It was quite a largish protected area, much larger than the 22 sq km of the Karera Wildlife Sanctuary in Shivpuri District. Ghatigaon also had a rarely reported leopard, nilgai, cheetal, blackbuck and chinkara. We did spot blackbuck and chinkara, but I was doubtful about the cheetal. There were at least two good wetlands in this region, and otters were certainly reported.
There would have been wolves, jackals, foxes, jungle cats and otters in this river that traveled through the arid and possibly fallow cultivation areas. The one single positive aspect of this photograph seemed to be that of the absence of sugarcane cultivation. The trees could perhaps be of palas, arjuna and albizzia among others.
After clicking the series of these photographs from the airplane, I sat quietly, thinking about the wilderness below, and the river running about. It was the most amazingly peaceful and happy contemplation that I had ever done. Just sitting quietly, alone by myself, amongst all the other passengers, thinking and seeing those otters or the lone fox in the river, and a white breasted waterhen that must be living there, at peace with the world.
