Revisiting Najafgarh Lake

 

This year January saw exceptional rainfall in North India. As a result, most water bodies were full or overflowing. The newspapers claimed that the excess water and longer winter season had attracted thrice the number of migratory birds. So we decided to visit our secret birdwatching destination again. 

Only this year we went in January instead of the February visit we had made last year. What a sea-change we saw! The marshes we had traipsed through last year to reach the Najafgarh lake were all submerged. 

There was flowing water everywhere.... so much that reversing the car out from the narrow road between the fields was no less than an adventure.

An aggrieved farmer whose fields had gone under water shared his story with us. About how the lake overflows its banks every year, damaging crops and destroying agricultural livelihoods. Whatever he said was right before our eyes to see. 

January 2021

Last year we had walked right past, and way beyond, that little outhouse you see in the picture above. To compare better, I have included a shot from our last year's trip below. In last year's picture, see how far in we had parked the car, and then walked all the way to the other side of the outhouse before reaching the lake shore.

February 2020

Coming back home and reading up more on the Sahibi river, and how it affects the Najafgarh lake, one learnt more about interesting aspects related to the history of the region. 

And yes, the migratory birds were not as visible this year because they were far out, and so were difficult to capture on camera. 

Road Trippin' - Najafgarh Lake Area

With the final exams over, the kids had almost a fortnight off from school (except for the occasional trips for farewell practice). Since we couldn't go out of town on vacation, we decided to make the best of our surroundings, and visit a bird watching site I had been aiming to see for a while.

Our first attempt at finding the spot (which was well marked on Google Maps, but was obviously inadequate info to go by) landed us on a secluded bund road from where the birds were too far to see properly.

Then we decided to follow our own sense of direction, and ended up in the middle of lush green fields instead, in the company of a few egrets.

We also managed to spot a lone kingfisher...

... some Eurasian coots and an unknown species.

But the roads that led closer to the birds eluded us completely and we returned back home.

On our second attempt, we fared better and managed to reach closer to the lake that hosts a variety of migratory birds. Driving on kutcha roads and then walking through marshy fields, as a cool breeze blew in the midst of an open expanse, was such a refreshing feeling.

Till our traipsing led us to this sight - a huge flock of geese cackling away, creating an avian symphony in the middle of nowhere.

What a pleasant view it was!

Their footprints on the wet mud of the fields made for an interesting sight, prompting us to imagine them waddling around.

It was on this attempt that we realized that the birdwatching site we were aiming at was actually spread over a large area and had multiple roads (mostly kutcha, going through  fields), leading to different sides of the lake.

So it was back home, and poring over more maps and routes to plan a fresh itinerary. Till we head out again, hopefully soon!

Scenes From Our Rural Backyard

We have a patch of farmland right behind our house, and so are able to view glimpses of rural life all day long. It feels so surreal that despite being so close, the life led by the farmer and his family is so completely different from ours... they are, literally, worlds apart.

The farmer and his family is up before the crack of dawn, tending to their cows and milking them.

Then the fellow waters his lush fields. My maid, who is a village lass herself, tells me that his crop is nothing fancy; just plain cattle feed. But as long as it keeps our backyard green, I'm not complaining.

As the day progresses, the children leave for school and the farmer and his wife go inside their thatched hut. In the evening, a bunch of women descend to cut the fodder.

First from the field using scythes, and then further chopping is done in the machine.

And of course, how can I forget the cowdung cakes? :) There are loads and piles of them, all over the place.

As my maid grumbled one morning, the farmer's wife sells them to the nearby village folk at a steep price. These cakes are used as fuel for traditional Indian choolahs (a mud stove that uses firewood) in rural areas.

Now you know how easy it is to while away time in our new home... by transporting yourself to another world altogether and virtually getting lost in it!

But at the end of the day, our shameless voyeurism only brings home the reality - that our world runs smoothly only because they do their bit in their own world. Can you imagine a world without crops and milk?