By Dr. Vishwanath Bite 16 November 2025 — Dhargad–Bori, Melghat Tiger Reserve
How a weekend safari in Maharashtra’s wilderness led to a face-to-face encounter with one of the world’s rarest birds—and a lesson in what it means to see truly.
Introduction: A Trip Months in the Making
For months, Melghat Tiger Reserve had been calling me. I had heard countless stories about its rugged landscapes, dense teak forests, and extraordinary biodiversity—but one species stood above all: the Forest Owlet, a tiny, elusive, globally endangered bird found only in a handful of locations in central India.
Finally, on 15–16 November 2025, I travelled with friends to Shahnoor in Melghat, planning two safaris. But the forest had other plans. What began as a quick weekend trip turned into a deeper journey—three safaris, countless moments of wonder, and one unforgettable sighting.
The Safaris: Narnala Fort & Dhargad–Bori
We completed:
Narnala Fort Safari — an atmospheric journey through centuries of history and forest-draped stone walls.
Dhargad–Bori Jungle Safari (twice) — a raw, immersive experience inside Melghat’s living heart.
The decision to extend our visit with a third safari happened naturally. Melghat has that effect—the more you see, the more you want to understand. And what we came to understand was shaped not just by the landscape, but by the person guiding us through it.
I had read about Forest Guide Durga Rathod during my safari planning—how alert, sharp-eyed, polite, and knowledgeable she was. The reviews were genuine, but no description fully captures her expertise.
Durga’s presence transformed our safaris. She spotted shapes and sounds most visitors would overlook. She explained the behaviour, habitat, and conservation challenges of every species we encountered with the kind of field knowledge that only years of walking the same land can give.
Her dedication reflects the larger culture of Melghat’s forest staff—people who protect wildlife quietly but fiercely, day after day. Without guides like her, most of us would pass through these forests blind to their treasures.
The Moment That Defined the Journey
On Sunday, 16 November 2025, around 4 PM, deep inside the Dhargad–Bori forest, Durga suddenly asked the driver to stop. She had noticed something subtle—a posture, a silhouette, a presence most eyes would miss.
“Forest Owlet,” she said calmly.
I froze.
A species once believed extinct. Rediscovered only in 1997. Still numbering just around 200 individuals globally, and one was sitting right there, on a sunlit branch.
The afternoon light filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows across the forest floor. The air was still, heavy with the earthy scent of teak leaves and dry soil. The owlet sat motionless—compact, watchful, its round head and pale barring giving it an ancient, almost mythic quality. Its large yellow eyes fixed on us with an intensity that felt less like observation and more like recognition.
Photographing it felt less like capturing an image and more like documenting a fragile piece of history that could vanish at any moment.
At that moment, I understood something deeply:
A wildlife sighting becomes meaningful not when it is rare, but when it teaches you humility.
The Forest Owlet of Melghat: A Rare Encounter With an Endangered Survivor
A Species With a Story of Disappearance and Return
The Forest Owlet (Athene blewitti) has one of the most dramatic histories in Indian ornithology:
Discovered: 1873
Last reliable record: 1884
Declared “possibly extinct” for over 113 years
Rediscovered: 1997 in central India
Current status: Endangered, with small, fragmented populations in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat
Strongest-known population today: Melghat Tiger Reserve
Its survival depends on intact dry deciduous forests, old trees with natural cavities, and minimal human disturbance—conditions that Melghat still provides, but which are growing rarer every year.
Durga explained all of this with quiet passion, her voice steady as she shared what she had learned from years of guiding visitors through these forests. Her words weren’t just facts—they were a reminder of what we stand to lose.
Melghat: A Sanctuary of Life
The Forest Owlet wasn’t our only encounter. Across the three safaris, Melghat revealed itself as a living, breathing ecosystem:
Giant squirrels leaping through the canopy. Sambar and spotted deer grazing in sun-dappled clearings. Crested serpent eagles circling overhead. Various owls and raptors perched in shadowy branches. Woodpeckers hammering against bark. Drongos issuing their raspy calls. Fresh pugmarks and traces of tigers and leopards pressed into the soft earth.
Every sensory detail added depth to the experience—the crunch of dry leaves beneath our tyres, the rustle of bamboo in the breeze, the distant alarm call of a deer sensing danger. This wasn’t passive observation. It was immersion in a world that operates on rhythms older than human memory.
Dhargad–Bori felt alive at every bend—a reminder that these aren’t just scenic backdrops for tourists, but living systems that sustain species found now, elsewhere on Earth.
Photography as Witness
This was my first authentic jungle safari focused on wildlife photography, and standing before an endangered species, I realised something fundamental:
Wildlife photography isn’t just art—it’s documentation. Documentation isn’t just a hobby—it’s conservation.
We don’t photograph these beings for validation or applause. We photograph them so people can see what still exists—and understand what might disappear if we look away.
Every click of the shutter felt like a small act of witness. I wasn’t just capturing a bird; I was capturing a moment. I was capturing a moment in time, a fragile thread connecting past extinction fears to present survival hopes—and to the choices we must make for the future.
Why This Encounter Matters
The Forest Owlet sighting wasn’t a matter of luck. It was the result of dedicated protection, expert guidance, and ecosystems given space to survive. It reminded me that:
Wildlife endures because people like Durga Rathod protect it with skill and commitment
Species live or die based on habitat integrity, community engagement, and political will
Awareness without action is just sentiment—but awareness is where action begins
Suppose this story and photograph move even one person to support Melghat’s conservation, to advocate for habitat protection, or to care more deeply about India’s endangered species. In that case, this encounter has fulfilled its purpose.
Conclusion: What the Forest Taught Me
Melghat is not just a destination—it’s a teacher.
It slowed me down. It sharpened my senses. It reminded me that nature rewards patience and punishes haste, that the most profound encounters come not from chasing spectacle but from cultivating attention.
The Forest Owlet, perched silently that evening, wasn’t just a bird. It was a symbol of resilience, rediscovery, and second chances earned through decades of conservation efforts. It was proof that when we protect habitat, employ knowledgeable guides, and give ecosystems room to breathe, life finds a way to persist.
As we drove out of the forest that evening, the sun sinking low and painting the sky in shades of amber and violet, I carried more than photographs. I had gratitude—for Durga’s expertise, for the forest’s generosity, and for the privilege of witnessing a creature that refuses to fade into extinction.
And I carried a question that now belongs to all of us:
What will we do to ensure that 200 doesn’t become zero?
Photo Credit: Dr. Vishwanath Bite Location: Dhargad–Bori Buffer Zone, Melghat Tiger Reserve Date: 16 November 2025, approximately 4:00 PM Equipment Note: This photograph was taken during my first dedicated wildlife photography safari, a reminder that meaningful documentation doesn’t require perfection—just presence and respect.
How You Can Help
Support Melghat Tiger Reserve through eco-tourism and responsible safari practices.
Hire local forest guides, such as Durga Rathod, who bring expertise and conservation ethics to every trip.
Share awareness about endangered species and habitat protection
Advocate for forest conservation in policy discussions and community forums
For more stories on literature, life, and learning—from the classroom to the wilderness—visitvishwanathbite.com
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