A lake that is crystal clear at certain places and covered in other places with thick growth of the arali grass that keeps changing its location is all set to change a nondescript area inhabited by Rabha community. Not too far from the bustling capital city of Guwahati, this place is trying its best to emerge as one of the hottest eco-tourism spots in the entire Northeast while providing the city dwellers with a rejuvenating retreat.

The invitation to visit this place called Joramukhuria, some 60 km from Guwahati and surrounded by the famous Chandubi lake, had come from Niranta Gohain, a member of Wave Ecotourism. With his relentless efforts and the whole hearted support of the forest department officials, DFO Hridesh Mishra, range officer Ranjit Konwar and the Borduwar Bholagaon Anchalik Rabha Students Union, an eco-camp that is completely vegetarian has been set up here.

The road link to this eco-camp that has three cottages built above the ground with support of the sal trees is quite good. What the true nature lovers will cherish about this picturesque spot is the awareness of the local populace to save nature by giving up their old habits of felling trees and killing birds for delectable delight.

On the day when we had started to this place, the sun had been merciless since the early morning. The journey was remarkable for many reasons, but more so for the numerous modes of transportation that we were compelled to seek because a bandh had been called by a student body and we in Guwahati were not aware about it. Otherwise, it is not a problem to reach this place.

Once we had reached the Chandubi lake by taking a route through a deep forest stretch of the Loharghat range under West Kamrup division, we noticed a boat anchored near the bank. The Chandubi eco-tourism camp would be using country boats to take the tourists to the camp as well as for sight-seeing.

The camp surrounded by hills with a green canopy and the forest evokes a feeling of awe and also generates some exciting anticipation as the area is often visited by herds of wild elephants. The openness of the cottages with each having the capacity of accommodating six individuals establishes an immediate rapport with the vastness of the skies, the egrets and with every small creature that has a distinct role in the world of nature.

The food served at the camp is another memorable experience. Not only for the homely taste and the way of serving on plates made from banana plantain, but also for the warmth of the hostess who is a Rabha woman. The traditional food tasted so sweet after the arduous journey that each one of us finished the servings in a matter of few minutes.

What we will be cherishing for the rest of our lives is the boat ride over the Chandubi lake. Though the skies were blazing when we had left Guwahati, the weather had changed by the time we reached Joramukhuria. So when se set out on a boat again on the Chandubi lake, it started drizzling. The panorama that slowly unfolded before us took our breath away. With two majestic hills of Assam and Meghalaya in the backdrop, clouds sauntering above the hills and the hills trying to reach the skies, we on the boat, drenched and happy, felt there never were a more beautiful moment than this when time seemed to have come to an infinite standstill. Even on sunny days, the boat ride over the Chandubi lake is not uncomfortable because the wind coming from the forest always plays with the waters of the lake. And on a rainy day, the ride is even more unique as the song of the rain and the song of the boatman’s oars creates an unforgettable sonata with a divine touch.

The entire concept of ecotourism here has grown around this Chandubi lake that is also a sought after picnic spot, but forgotten for the rest of the year. People of Joramukhuria, a forest village inhabited by nineteen families wait for the picnic season as they get to see people near the lake and also make some money by giving them boat ride.

Promoting the beauty of this lake that has so much to offer is one of the prime objectives of Niranta and the rest. The beauty of the lake which emerges in various moods at different time of the day and season cannot be described in words. That there is such a retreat so close that establishes communion with the universe and infinity for concrete Guwahati that keeps struggling with the burden of its own drudgery of life, should be considered a boon.

Without mentioning the road that took us to the destination this write-up would not be complete. All the nature lovers, who are desirous of visiting this place, will remember this road too that is zigzag and adorned with tea gardens on both sides, changing paddy fields and rustic dwellings. Again the feeling of an unending journey of life comes while passing through this road.

For details, one can contact wave_ecotourism@yahoo.com.

Kabita Duarah