The magical clouds over Thimphu city and the
first crystalline flakes of 2013 that danced down the air of Wang valley
appears to be the last source of inspiration for me to jot down lines in my
blog. My blog went silent for quite long since the January 19th post
but that doesn’t mean that my inspiration to write ended with the disappearing
of magical clouds and melting of crystalline flakes. Indeed, there were lot of
inspirations and many new experiences that I have gained since the inception of
my new life in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.
My first couple of days in the office had been
quite boring, not knowing what to do and how to proceed. However, owing to the
benevolent gesture of our Chief Forestry Officer and cooperation of the fellow colleagues
of the office, I felt very comfortable without much worry. My joining the
office was on such a time that the local residents were conducting their annual
lochoe, so it was such a treat for me to be part of the JSWNP family to attend
dinners at the homes of the local residents for quite a number of occasions.
As time passed by, I felt the need to explore
the park areas and fortunately, the park is in the process of carrying out
biological corridor survey so I got the opportunity to be part of the survey team
that gave a chance to be in field to explore the forests officially. Knowledge
is gained through experience but experiences are never gained overnight. While
in the field, we were to record the diversity of flora and fauna but my
taxonomic knowledge was baseless as we were in temperate forests. All I know is
the name of certain plants of tropical region. However, the team comprised of what
I can call a field botanist, a local ornithologist, mammal and camera-trapping specialist,
though all of them are either Forester of Asst. Forester by rank. Their working
in the field for many years made them experienced and knowledgeable, which I
could learn from them.
While conversing with my mates who opted Territorial
Divisions and Districts, I came to learn that they hardly get any chance to be
in field or out of station for official purpose but my Chief, he has nominated
me to attend an important workshop on Biodiversity in Thimphu in March, giving
me a chance to be in Thimphu for the first time after my joining the office in January.
Attending such workshops give us an exposure and better interaction with
outsiders, thus building our capacity of a civil servant.
And currently, we in collaboration with UWICE
of Bumthang is in the process of
stationing camera traps in our park, thus giving more chance to interact
with nature, hiking up the hills and descending down the ancient trails. This
is the pleasure of being in a leisurely profession.
Excerpts from my last expedition on Tiger
Survey:
A week-long adventuring through the jungle began with disappearing of mobile network as we entered the forests of Berti in Zhemgang. We were on an expedition to camera trap Tigers in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Following the ancient trails, the journey took us on top of ridges and deep into riverbanks all in the forests. Discovering pugmarks and scats inspires us to venture further in weather beaten days of spring and as the week ends, the mobile signal is back and now we are to exit from Surey in Sarpang. What an adventure together with Professor Mark of Montana University, Dr. Ellen of UWICE, the UWICE team of researchers and of course my fellow JSWNP mates.For now, the next expedition through the nature is just a day away. Hope the weather will play fair this time as well. :)
