The Tadoba safari through the jungle is not all
about the tigers or the bamboo thickets growing wildly throughout the jungle in
abundance. Nature abounds in
plentiful here with birds, crocodiles, deers, sloth bear, jungle dogs and more.
I got to see it all.
Nestled amidst this dry forest tree line and bamboo thickets, what stood out for me, was this very grotesque shaped tree with branch arms extending outwards, stark with its curled, twisted and leafless branches reaching out high into the sky. The tree's bark and branches spreading it's tentacles like in a horror film white, bare and stark in contrast to trees around it. The beautiful "GHOST TREE" or "bhutya" tree in Marathi, when shinning in the moonlight is said to certainly give you the goose bumps. The trunks change their colors to pinkish red and green with the changing seasons. I got to see the beautiful baby pinkish colour on the bark of a tree too.
This tree species is said to be available only in the central Indian forests. Its scientific name is Streculia Urens and it is a deciduous tree that can grow up to about 50 feet tall and it produces certain types of gums. It is also tapped for use in the pharmaceutical industry as a laxative and a tablet binder.
For me, it was the most fascinating part of the jungle safari for sure during the three safaris I took through the jungle. Stop and admire for sure and definitely don't miss sighting this one for sure.
