“Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations. For if you do, you may still exist but you have ceased to live.” — Henry David Thoreau 

A desire to see the wild elephants , sucked me into the elephant census 2012. Having seen the notice for volunteer from Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association in the Chennai Trekking Club page, my hankering made me to book tickets at eleventh hour. Being a only girl from Chennai in a completely unknown surrounding alarmed me every moment .I was't sure - How safe the forest would be? How friendly and helping my  teammates will be? Will I be fit enough to do it? Too many questions buzzed around my head all through my journey to Ooty, where I was asked to asked to assemble.

Day 1 - 25th May
On Monday morning , I reached the NWEA office , from there I was take to Gene Pool Center, Gudalur in jeep where other fellow-mates have had assembled already . It wasn't surprise for me to see that I was the only girl in the whole of Gudalur (west ooty ) division. After our introductory session , we were given hands on training to use the required instruments.Later by slot I got allotted to PANDHALUR  beat. A forest guard and Anti Poaching Ranger were allotted to each of us. After allotment, each of us were dropped in their own beat. Along with 3 others I stayed in the Forest Guest House , Cherampady .

A view of my Transect