An Adventurous Day in Adompur Forest

We embarked on a journey to Adompur Reserve Forest in search of wild animals. The morning was filled with anticipation, and our expedition commenced at 6:30 am using a three-wheeler mini scooter (CNG). The journey took nearly two hours to reach our destination. Having previously explored parts of this forest, our goal was to venture into unknown areas. At 9:15 am, accompanied by two local guides—one an FD employee and the other a forest villager with a history of illegal tree felling—we began our trek. Passing the last house of the village, we entered a teak plantation, and within 10 minutes, we discovered a stream. Walking through the stream for a couple of hours was a delightful experience, encountering beautiful butterflies, moths, birds, and skinks on both sides. We came across a tree adorned with Hill-myna nests—three main branches filled with Myna's nests. At 12:15 pm, our fortune favored us as we sighted a Hornbill, an endangered bird species, perched on a tree at the hilltop. Despite the scorching morning sunlight, relief greeted us when we reached beneath a large Bonak tree (famous for a 2009 bear attack). The sky began to cloud over as we continued towards the Indian border through a mud-covered path. During our exploration, I encountered a leaf snake (Laudugi/Sobuj sap) crossing just a foot away, swiftly gliding over the grass. Measuring four feet in length, it was as slim as my little finger. Along our path, another substantial snake, over six feet long with a 4cm thickness, made its presence known. It was a day unlike any other, filled with unique encounters. We retraced our steps through the same route on our return journey.