It was the month of February, and being part of the Jaipur trekking club, we were hiking in the Jhalana Forest hills in Jaipur. Jhalana Forest terrain is infamous for being a leopard territory. People report leopard sightings in the jungle regularly. we were extra careful upon reaching the flat surface on the top of the hill, you never know if there is something lurking behind tall dry grass. It makes for a perfect camouflage!

While exploring, peeking through the bushes, we saw a house. This set us wondering who prefers to live in the forest frequented by leopards? We decided to explore a bit more. After a brief walk, we found the house; a wall of dried thorny bushes guarded its perimeter. No way, we could cross over this one.

We walked around this fence and reached a difficult point from which proceeding further was impossible. And it was here that we spotted a man watering the plants. We tried to distract his attention towards us; we shouted aloud. It worked. He walked closer to us on the other side of the fence.

Ram Ram (Hello in Rajasthani)

Ram Ram

Do you live here?

yes.

so what do you do?

I’m a caretaker

Caretaker? of what?

I take care of this place owned by a Baba

and who is that baba?

Baba Balaknath

where is he?

He has an Ashram

And where is his Ashram located?

It’s around 12 km from here.

Why do you take care of this place? who would want to own something here in the jungle? and that too on a hill?

The baba got enlightened at this place many years ago, so he holds this place sacred.

Oh! So you manage to live here in isolation?

Yes. sometimes I spend the night in my room on the highway below, in which case I have to get up early to reach here. I start walking uphill up at 6 AM. 

You live alone here in the Jhalana Forest hills?

There is another person with whom I take turns. Together we take care of this place. The other person is not here, currently

Where are you originally from?

I’m from Morena in Madhya Pradesh

That far?

Yes, it’s been many years now since I shifted here.

Wild animals don’t trouble you here?

Yes, they do. There are lots of Neelgai in this forest. They breach this fence during the night and eat the plants here.

Despite the fence?

Yes, they do. In fact, they breached the fence 2 nights ago.

We didn’t find any while walking towards this place?

There are lots of them in this jungle.

Any other wild animal?

This forest is home to bears and leopards of Jaipur

So you erected this fence?

Yes, to safeguard this place from wild animals

So how do we come in?

The entry is from the other side.

And how do you walk down to the highway?

I use the other approach (he pointed in the opposite direction). Do you want to come in?

No not now. Some other day. We will visit with our friends.

Sure, that will be great.

What’s your name?

Ramkishan

Do many people come here like us?

No, hardly anyone comes here. 

Okay then, we will see you around. Ram Ram

Ram Ram

And we walked back to our usual day in the city.