Kerala is promoting eco-tourism which gives the commoners like us to experience the nature in its true form. One such experience is Edapalayam Watch Tower situated inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady. The watch tower dates back to 1927 which is closely located to Lake Palace, Thekkady. Click here to grab your tickets online. This was started in 2017, but remained closed during lockdown in 2020 & 2021.
But
keep in mind, this trip is not a holiday. The experiences are never the same
all time. So be prepared for the worst too. There are so many things in the
forest which can neither be explained nor be predicted.
The
chances of spotting animals are high during summer. During summer, there are
limited sources of water. Hence animals would be seen around the lake. We too
choose late may so that it would be just before monsoon. But to our bad luck,
there was rain due to depression for the whole week. The vehicles are to be
parked outside the reserve, where there is a parking lot for all the private
vehicles & taxis. You have to finish up check in formalities and then along
with 3 people which consist of one beat forest officer & 2 guards, you will
be taken on a bus to the boat landing area. Earlier private vehicles were
allowed till boat landing area.
We
arrived a little bit late because of heavy rain & poor visibility due to
fog on our way. So, we missed the boat which we were supposed to board. We had
to wait for the next boat which is at one hour & a half intervals. We were
welcomed by 3 Elephants & a group of Sambar Deer which were grazing in the
rain on the banks of the lake on our opposite side. There were guests to Lake
Palace as well who reached late. Since we were 2 groups to same destination, a
special boat was arranged. We boarded the boat once it arrived. After 20
minutes of the boat ride, we reached the lake palace from where we had to walk
through the reserve to reach the watch tower. On reaching lake palace, we were
given a pair of leech socks which we had to wear before we start our hike
through the forest. Leeches are common in forests, especially when it is
raining. We had raincoats with us, so there was no trouble of carrying umbrella
while walking.
On
our way to watch tower, the guards & the beat officer showed us some plants
& herbs (medicinal as well as other categories) and they shared their
experiences. After walking for a while, we saw a group of Sambar deer which
were very close and ran away on seeing us except for one which was watching our
movement with its sharp alert ears and occasionally making some warning sounds.
We didn’t bother to take photographs as the camera would get wet in the rain.
After couple of minutes of stopping to watch the deer, we again started to walk
and we saw 2 Bisons a little bit far. Finally, after walking for 20-25 minutes,
we reached our camp site which overlooked the green grassland and a part of the
lake.
The
watch tower is surrounded by a very deep trenches which would prevent wild animals’
entry. I felt bit relieved when we reached the watch tower. Yes, I was excited
of the experience I’m going to get, but remember you are walking through the
forest. So, you never know what surprise/shock is in store. There are 2 logs
each on 3 sides of the trenches which helps to cross the trench. As per beat
officer, once a wild elephant got angry for some unknown reason and started to
throw mud, branches etc on the guests. Luckily guests were on the other side of
the trench. And it also removed the logs (used to cross the trench) and threw
it away.
We
walked around for a while when the guides were preparing our room & their kitchen.
The mobile phone which you carry along can only serve the purpose of calendar,
clock, camera or torch. Because there is no network, once you pass the lake
palace. The power supply to the watch tower is provided by solar battery which
is installed on the top of the watch tower which was not working since covid lockdown.
The guides & the beat officer tried their level best to ensure our comfort.
This is the only complaint we had in our entire stay. The lockdown came into
effect in March 2020 & we visited the watch tower in May 2022. Even after numerous
complaints by the officials as well as the guests, it has not yet been rectified.
In the absence of light, we had yummy candlelight dinner. It was then we saw 2
porcupines nearby with full quill erected. That was a wonderful sight. We could
hear some sounds of birds, animals & insects as well when it was not
raining. After some chit chats, off we went to sleep.
The
bedroom for guests is upstairs. The room is fully wooden except for the glass
panes all around the room to get 360° views of the forest. It is a very small
neat room with 2 beds, a bedside table & a dressing table. There is a small
balcony outside where there is a small tea table & 2 chair made out of
bamboo where you can sit & relax. At times, two mice also gave us company.
I hardly slept. It was very cold inside the room. I kept waking up every hour to look out and watch animals grazing outside. But no animals appeared until 12.00 AM as it was raining heavily. But when I woke up at 12.00, I was full excited as I could see small dark lumps here & there in the plain grassland. Those lumps were none other than Bisons, Sambar Deer, Porcupines & Wild Boar. I kept watching them and we also went out of our room to get a better sight. I really wish there was at least moonlight. We returned to our room and started to observe sitting on our bed. After an hour or so, the Sambar Deer made a warning sound & they all ran away into the forest on the opposite side. Meanwhile rest of the animals kept looking into the forest for a while. We were expecting a predator. But our wait was in vain. Still those mere thoughts itself brings goosebumps even now being more than a month after the trip.
I
think then I had a deep sleep for 2-3 hours after which I woke up around 5.15
AM when there was some light in the horizon. Except for deer which I guess didn’t
comeback, rest of the animals were starting to leave the grassland & enter
back to the forest. We watched them for a while. The package includes a trek
also. But we didn’t have because of the rain.
We
walked around the forest outside the trench along with one of the guides and
went to the backside of the watch tower in the forest. We got to see few Bisons
which were grazing & drinking water from the lake. We returned back to the
watch tower when all the Bisons left our vicinity and got ready for our
breakfast. While having breakfast, we informed the beat officer & the
guides that we won’t be waiting till lunch as it would be raining for whole
week. Also, promised them to return during next summer. Hope by then the power
issues also gets resolved.
Around
10.30 AM, when we felt that the rain had stopped, we decided to return back.
This time we took another way to walk which was along the lake. It started to
rain when we were almost reaching the Inspection Bungalow where we sat to wear
the leech socks. It was time to board the boat for our return. We left with a
very heavy heart and a beautiful experience and promised ourself to return next
time.
2)
Only 2 adults can check-in. Kids (irrespective of their ages)are not allowed.
3) The program includes welcome drink/evening tea, dinner, breakfast & lunch.