Mahendra Dan alias Charles Guide Mount Abu.
Charles Guide Mount Abu
Charles the guide in Mount Abu is renowned for his legendary trekking in the hill and dales of this Aravalli range. I’ve known Charles for some time. He has always aired his thoughts. He has visions of a Mount Abu being converted into a place where even the Gods would wish to live. From a kid, he found joy in being one with nature, like the proverbial Red Indian his inner hunger is so strong that he took it upon himself to help save and contribute all his passion and energy making this place a safe haven.
Everything about Mount Abu’s nature, the birds, the bees,. Trees, and the animals all seem to call out to him. He’s in his element when he’s on his trek with his clients he has the greatest pleasure sharing the beauty of this hill station and the stories of the village and tribal folks who have settled here. Charles narratives and his ever so cool way of putting his point across keeps his customers enthralled. Most of his clientage have been foreigners and this has been a boon for this bright young man, not only has he taught himself English he has picked up a smattering of other languages.
The 32-year-old Mahendra, a mountain dweller, not a hunter, but a simple snake and reptile catcher. Indeed, he’s a man who goes out of his way to save any snake or reptile that might be a threat to the locals. If he’s in town he responds to all call 24/7 by any Abuites that need his help to relocate these unfortunate animals that have strayed into their homes or premises.
Notes and Photographs per kind favour Charles
Indian monitor lizard Varanidae (Monitors)
Monitors are the largest of the living lizards. In Hindi its called Chandan Goh, They are swift and active predators of small mammals, birds, bird eggs, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
Medium – sized monitor 1.74m: snout elongated: nostrils nearer the eye than the snout – tip nostril an oblique slit.
Inhabit a variety of habitats, from semi-deserts and scrub to evergreen forests and plantation.
A lizard famous in Indian history for its reported use by Maratha conqueror scaling the walls of Mughal Fortresses.
Monitor Lizard rescued from town from an emporium.
Rescued from a house in the Kumarwada Area
Released in the enclosed sanctuary area of Mt. Abu
Cobra – Naja Naja
Identifiable by the spectacle like markings on the hood. Dorsum greyish brown, black some population from central west India jet black.
Cobra rescued from town and released in the sanctuary area.
Cobra
Forstern Cat Snake
Russel Viper
Charles in his earlier years Rat snake being rescued.
ANYONE looking for the ideal guide while in Mount Abu can contact Charles.
Review on Charles
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