know Their Stories

# Maheshwar Mahant 

# Story Of a Walking Encyclopedia

The very first time I saw him with a smile on his face. “Pranam madam, I’m Maheshwar Mahant. I greeted him back. He continues “Orchids are really interesting. You will definitely like it.” I nodded with a smile.

That’s how our day begins with my orchid study in Similipal National Park along with Rajkumar sir and Aadarsh sir. We all were very keen to know about the wonderful world of the orchids.

Our journey begins with those orchids which were restored in the camp area where we were staying i.e UBK range. It was a remote core forest with no network coverage but one could easily see, listen and feel the real definition of a dense, diverse and divine forest.

Then we started our case study journey. Every time we stop any random tree and try to locate different orchid species. I come to know about a number of orchid species like Acampe rigida, Dendrobium aphyllum, Flickingeria macraei etc. since it was not the flowering season, it was really difficult to identify two similar looking orchid species but Mahant ji was there to guide us. We all were moving uphill on Meghasani hill and eagerly waiting to observe Eria meghasaniensis as it was one of the endemic orchids and was exclusively discovered on Meghasani hill.

Finally, we reached at 1092m MSL altitude and could see Eria meghasaniensis on a tree trunk. “See how beautiful it is.” We all agreed. “Last year, from July to September we did our own comb survey and found seven-fold increase in its number as compare to the previous survey done in 2004-05.” He said proudly. “you will be surprised to know that this species is found in between 1052m MSL and 1164m MSL i.e. a narrow range of 112 meters only. Mother nature has created everything as wonderful as they are” He added.

Likewise, he described more than 80 orchid species with its botanical name, identification or characteristic features and even about the appearance of their flower (as it was not the flowering season of most of the orchid), even about the colour, look, inflorescence, size, flowering month etc.

I was pleasantly surprised as Maheshwar mahant was having a very clear concept about each and every orchid. My curiosity compelled me to ask about his educational qualification. “it’s just matriculation madam. He replied. “it was 1989 when I joined the forest department in Similipal National Park. In 1990 when an orchidarium was being establish in Gurguria range of Karanjia division, I was also a part of the team. We identified the species and also their survival mechanism so that orchidarium could established and sustain. During 2000, one of the renounced orchidologists Mr. Sarat Mishra was here. He was working on his book ‘Orchids of Odisha’ and that time also we all the staffs of Forest department really worked hard to assist him. That time I come to know the accurate botanical name of each and every orchid. Actually, madam when you do the work you love, perfection is ensured. It’s a kind of happy learning.” He smiled and continues “I really love to know each one of them. These all are little wonder and very sacred. Even their restoration technique, tree species range, place of attachment on the tree, is very specific for each orchid.”

I was listening his words carefully. It was around 5 PM and we all were little tired but still enjoying the learning or rather say happy learning.

Tea? One of the camp staff asked. We all agreed to take tea and then return back to our own camp where we were staying.

During a tea break, I saw lots of empty water tank. Some of them were designed as rain water harvesting unit and rest were kept there with a sealed tap. “why lots of water tank are kept here” I asked. He said “there is no water source nearby. We are on meghasani hill. We have to travel 1 km downhill for water each day. Even the local market is 140 km away from this point.” The cup of tea suddenly seems bit heavier to me. I can’t say the reason exactly. Maybe it was because of the effort behind that priceless cup of tea or the person himself who has spent 30 years of his life in such a core forest with no network, no amenities yet happy and enthusiastic.

It was getting darker. We thanked them all and we were about to begin our return journey, he said “do well maam. Hum sb chhota log hai. Agar bada sahab help nahi karta to hum bhi kuchh nahi kr paata.” I was unable to find an appropriate sentence so just nodded with a smile without saying a single word.

In forest department there are many such Maheshwar mahant, the unsung heroes who is serving with full of his heart and their devotion is the actual strength of our department. Sometimes it’s really important to know their stories. It encourages them. At the same time it  also inspires us and make us realize our own responsibilities.

The darkness covers the whole jungle and the magnificent magic of jungle was spell bounding. We could see the little glittery stars watching us secretly. Journey continues with the song of awaken jungle.    


Megha Yadav
officer Trainee
CASFOS, Dehradun
Dated 17th March 2020