Rukhad Forest is a part of the Pench Tiger Reserve, a wildlife sanctuary that is famous for its association with the novel The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. It is a place where you can experience the beauty and diversity of nature, as well as the thrill and adventure of wildlife. In this article, we will explore the amazing flora and fauna of Rukhad Forest, and learn why it is a must-visit destination for nature lovers.
The Flora of Rukhad Forest
The flora of Rukhad Forest is a mixture of moist and dry deciduous forests, with a variety of trees, shrubs, grasses, and bamboos. The forest is interspersed with flowing streams and waterholes, which provide a source of life for the animals and birds. Some of the common trees found in Rukhad Forest are:
- Salai: A medium-sized tree with white flowers and resinous bark. It is used for making incense, medicine, and timber.
Pickle: A large tree with yellow flowers and edible fruits. It is also known as Indian gooseberry or amla and has many medicinal and nutritional benefits. - Moyan: A small tree with red flowers and edible berries. It is also known as wood apple or bael and is used for making juice, jam, and candy.
- Tendu: A small tree with green flowers and oval leaves. It is also known as ebony or coromandel ebony and is used for making beedi (a type of cigarette) wrappers, furniture, and musical instruments.
- Kahua: A large tree with white flowers and brown pods. It is also known as Karanj or Pongamia and is used for making oil, soap, medicine, and biofuel.
The forest also has about 82 types of grass species and bamboo, which are important for the herbivores and the carnivores alike. Some of the common grasses found in Rukhad Forest are:
- Bamboo: A tall grass with hollow stems and jointed nodes. It is used for making baskets, mats, furniture, paper, and scaffolding.
- Kans: A tall grass with feathery plumes and sharp edges. It is used for making brooms, ropes, mats, and thatches.
- Speargrass: A short grass with needle-like seeds that stick to fur and clothes. It is also known as needle grass or porcupine grass.
- Sword-grass: A long grass with sharp blades that can cut skin. It is also known as cogon grass or blady grass.
The Fauna of Rukhad Forest
The fauna of Rukhad Forest is equally diverse and fascinating. The forest is home to many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. The major attraction of Rukhad Forest is the tiger, the king of the jungle. The forest has seen an increase in tiger sightings in recent years, due to the construction of animal crossings under the elevated highway. The tigers often use the dirt path made for vehicles to walk on, giving great sightings to tourists. Apart from the tigers, Rukhad Forest also has:
- Leopards: The spotted cats that are smaller than tigers but faster and more agile. They can climb trees and hunt at night.
- Sloth bears: The shaggy bears that have long claws and a long snout. They feed on termites, honey, fruits, and eggs.
- Wild dogs: The pack animals that have reddish-brown fur and black markings. They are also known as dholes or Indian wild dogs and are very social and cooperative hunters.
- Hyenas: The scavengers that have brown fur and striped legs. They are also known as striped hyenas or Indian hyenas and are known for their loud laughter-like calls.
Rukhad Forest is also a paradise for bird lovers. The forest has about 325 species of birds that can be seen in various seasons of the year. Some of the common birds found in Rukhad Forest are:
- Peacocks: The national bird of India that has a long tail with colourful eyespots. They are also known as Indian peafowl or blue peafowl.
- Jungle fowls: The wild ancestors of domestic chickens that have red combs and wattles. They are also known as red jungle fowl or Indian jungle fowl.
- Parakeets: The small parrots that have green feathers and long tails. They are also known as rose-ringed parakeets or Indian ringneck parakeets.
- Cuckoos: The birds that lay their eggs in other birds’ nests and mimic their calls. They are also known as common cuckoos or Eurasian cuckoos.
- Owls: The nocturnal birds that have large eyes and ears. They are also known as barn owls or common barn owls.
Rukhad Forest is a place where you can witness the amazing flora and fauna of nature, and learn about their history and culture. Explore Rukhad with Rukhad Jungle Camp a place where you can enjoy the beauty and diversity of nature, as well as the thrill and adventure of wildlife. It is a place where you can experience the magic of The Jungle Book, and feel the spirit of Mowgli, Bagheera, Baloo, and Shere Khan. Rukhad Forest is a place that you should not miss when you visit Pench Tiger Reserve.
