Adventurous Trekking in Tuisi River

This week was planned for adventure in Tuisi and visiting some farmland situated on higher side of hills away from road.

We had planned to see works in Maubawk village, Coffee Plantation in Theiva and Mulburry plantation in Theiri on 07th May and night stay in Tuipang and on 8th Trek to Kawpi waterfall in Tuisi river. Our entourage was apart from me Dr Rakhu (MO & President MTP), Ms Marilyn, ADC(P), Mr A.Z. Beisia APO-DRDA, Mr Mahminga Coordinator KVK-Saiha, Mr V.L. Extention Officer Sericulture Department.

In Maubawk we had general discussion with both VCPs with regard to planning, judicious use of NREGS and coming scheme of NLUP. Dr Rakhu spread awareness about malaria control and also after being elected as President MTP(Leading NGO of Maras) it was his first visit too to these villages. He also I feel greatly benefited by interaction with villagers as the Govt also gives a role to the NGO in implementation of major schemes.

In Theiva we had a general discussion with the public and thereafter we went to see Coffee plantation. It was a mini-trek of I feel of 5 kms from the village. We covered the distance quite well and had a nice weather which was cloudy with cool soothing wind. On the way we tasted some wild fruit too. I tried my hand on an unripe sugarcane. The coffee plantation is coming up quite well in the village. In two phases it covered almost 100 acres of land and villagers are planning to extend it further. From DRDA we are creating approach road to the site with a cost of 40 lakhs. These plantation will start bearing coffee beans within a period of 4-5 years. I really like the enthusiasm of the villagers. I sincerely feel that the future of Mizoram lies in such innovative crops not in tradition WRCs etc. More encouragements are needed for such kind of initiatives.

Our next stop was Theiri village. Here we had the phenomena of failing Mulburry plantation. It was started in 2006 as a special scheme under SGSY. In the first two years assistance was given to farmers to maintain the crops but once this stops, the farmers stopped taking care of it and now it is on verge of dieing. I feel it shows lack of coordination between the Sericulture Department and the villagers. This site is facing acute water problem as per the villagers version. When we asked that if we provide water tank then will they be able to take care of it. Then they replied that they want to grow tomatoes. It was quite surprising to see the response of the villagers. It seems that this project was just implemented without the active participation of the villagers and was just another example of failed top-down approach.

We reached Tuipang Circuit House in the evening about 6pm. It was another wonderful time with Mr Mahminga playing guitar and Dr Rakhu taking the lead in singing. It was a fun time altogether.

Next day after brief interaction with villagers and MTP office bearers, and inspection of Construction of Football ground, roads etc we left for Tuisi and reached there by 10.30am. Here the real adventure started. We had come to Tuisi to see the Kawpi water fall in Tuisi River. The forest department briefed us that it is 6kms away from the village. So we had calculated that altogether it should take not more than 6 hours. 2 hrs going and 3 hours coming and 1 hours for watching the waterfall etc. It comes out as the trek I had during Foundation Course in LBSNAA, Musoorrie in which the distances mentioned by the GMVN never used to be correct.

We started from Tuisi village after brief interaction with the villagers at around 11am. I feel we got later by 2 hrs. The weather was pleasant i.e cloudy and cool breeze was making the trek enjoyable. We saw wild orchid on the way and had tasted wild fruit also which name i forgot. Finally after a 2 hrs we reached the bank of tuisi river.We thought that we reached the waterfall but no... The funniest part of trek was about to begin. We were told by the villagers that we have to cover a distance of 3 kms in the river. That too by putting the socks on. Fortunately two ex-servicemen were there who were explaining everything to me in hindi and sometimes they were also singing good hindi songs.

So, then we started moving in the tuisi river against the current. Too many stones and pebbles were there on the way. 

Somewhere big-big rocks were there about which the villagers told us that during the inter-village fights these places used to used for ambushing the enemy. I just imagined how ancient Maras used to be hidden in those caves having spears and other instruments in their hands. The companions also used this opportunity to catch the crab and fish. The crab holes they used to search and then took out the crab. Overall this was a fun.

Finally we reached the waterfall at 04.00pm. It was awesome. It seems to form a big gorge not in true sense but a big hill was standing just behind it and the height of the waterfall must be 20-25mts.

 I sat at the nearest rock and felt so cool and calm and an ideal place for meditation with water continuously falling down with its own music. I wanted to go closer but it was not feasible. 

One of the villager told me that one spirit lives there and he is a good one but never point your finger towards anything otherwise hails will come. I blindly followed him and did not point out anything.

After spending half an hour there, we moved to the top of the hill. Oh! the way from bottom of the waterfall to the top was so dangerous, there was hardly enough space to put the feet, the earth was loose and nothing to hold, the footpath was almost close to 75 degree gradient and below footpath was rocky bottom of the waterfall. So if one slips then before reaching bottom one can meet the almighty. Finally with the support of my companions I reached the top.

Thanks to villagers, they brought lunch for us. They were waiting for us at the top. After reaching top I had a sigh of relief and then went for taking bath. It was so cool and calm and pure.... no comparison can be made. The lunch was tasty and we started from waterfall at 5 pm. It was getting dark. Again we traveled in the river for close to 1 hr and then we came on the soil surface and put on our shoes. By 6pm we hardly reached the foothill of one of the hill.

Then our travail starts. It was dark, torches were limited I feel only 2. Entourage was close to 15 persons. The way to top was hilly track almost less than one feet. We were just able to see feet of the predecessor. So we were just following each other and by helping each other moving ahead. There my phone helped me. In the darkness I put the songs on and then walked in almost wilderness. Just telling each other that Tuisi is hardly 30 minutes whereas we were unsure how much really it is.

(The blue trail is recorded by my iphone GPS, the rest trek route are based on approximation. ).
On google earth it can be seen by following the post.
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=888750&Number=1332605#Post1332605
Finally when we saw a big gathering of youths eagerly waiting, we got strength and confidence of reaching the village otherwise it was becoming a never-ending journey. There they served us tea and put me in one carrier made of wood and cloth tied in it. They literally forced me to sit in it. It was steep track and the boys who were lifting the carrier were having tough time to lift it. Finally after much persuasion they put me on ground and then again we start walking. Finally we reached village by 08.00 pm. To ease our muscles I along with Pu Mahminga ran to the house where we kept our belongings. It was an end of a wonderful and adventurous trek.

There Dr Rakhu joined us back and narrated his own story of utilising the day time in fishing.

After destretching and brief discussion with the villagers we left the village and reached Saiha by 10.30pm.

I got to know that some our my companions had tough time afterwards in muscle pain and fever but I hope they also realised their potential.

I feel this waterfall can be developed in two ways:-

one for generating hydropower. other for tourism purposes. I feel let us popularize it as a trekking route. Local youths can be trained as a guide and the waterfall could be developed by providing ramp, chains to go near etc. I feel it can be a wonderful experience for any nature lover which offers purest fun and challenge

It was a learning experience too..-

• Always prepare well before going to unknown places. We were not prepared properly and thankfully it did not rain otherwise it would have been much worse.
• Nature offers great pleasure provided we go near to her. Town life is too artificial and monotonous, break is needed to regain ourselves.
• The challenge needs to be taken head on; the more we take it the easier it become. The best way to fight it to have self confidence and faith in our abilities.
• The leadership requires constant motivation, care and support to all the members:). The fun lies in sharing the joy of togetherness rather than enjoying it alone.
• Surprises do come...

 [Most of the pictures are taken by Pu Mahminga, Coordinator, KVK, Thanks to him although few are taken by me also :)] More photos will be added soon.