Scintillations 2019 Scintillations_2019 | Page 99

Photo credits:Mohammed Zameel There were pieces of forest lands surrounded by the backwaters and we saw a herd of bison grazing in one of those lands. We didn’t have much time to spend there as we were advised to reach the Tamilnadu checkpoint and report there within 2 hours. As we ventured deeper and deeper the most awaited moment arrived. We saw an elephant. Thankfully, the road and that piece of land were separated by a stream of water. I was too excited seeing it as it was the first time, I saw a wild elephant. It was huge and happily basking in the sun. I could never forget its appearance as it still remains fresh in my mind. Finally, we were at the Tamilnadu - Kerala checkpoint at a place called Malukkampara. It was located in the border of Tamilnadu and Kerala. It is a small town covered with tea plantations. The unique green color of the plantations was refreshing. We reported at the checkpoint and made our way towards Coimbatore. Yes, you read it right. An elephant. While we were in some unidentified location in the Vazhachal forest, we caught the sight of an elephant, all alone grazing at a piece of land which was beside the road we were traveling. 90