"Power generation activity has helped the opening up of many forest tracts. New roads and increased communication facilities have ended the isolation of many forest tracts. Wood based industries have helped the creation of more forest roads", records the Gazetteer, on what is meant to be a "positive" note. Not for conservationists though. Says a senior citizen and long time resident, "Fifty years ago, the forest cover, I remember, was so dense that sunlight would reach the ground only at noon. And my dining table set was sourced from Belgaum because there was no furniture making shop in Dandeli. Now there are around one hundred such shops within this area. Since most people who settle in this region are immigrants, very few are concerned about its environment or wildlife."

The forest is home to several tribal communities such as the Siddis who are the African slaves who escaped from Portuguese custody 400 years ago, and the Gowlis who are semi-tribal, nomadic grazers whose main occupation is to rear cows, and sell milk and milk products. According to local legend, Dandeli was the Dankaranya of the Ramayana, when Rama had stayed with Sita and Lakshmana during his exile. Supa (where a dam has now come up submerging many villages and forest tracts) was the haunt of Surpanakha. The place name, earlier known as Dandolli, Bidaravalli, was changed in the 17th century when Dandeliappa, a local hero, saved the area from Maratha attack.

At the nearby Kavala Caves we saw awesome stalagmites formed over centuries. Also fantastic views at the Shanmugha Sunset View Point, Nazhgari View and at the Syntheri Rocks over the Kaneri River. River rafting, canyoning, kayaking and canoeing are popular pastimes, also exciting coracle rides (past the many islands, you can actually see crocodiles lazing on the banks), night camps and treks, in the resorts that host adventure camps in this area.

Strychnos nux vomica, Caryota urens, mixed plantations of jamun, mango and many other Ficus varieties are seen besides the overwhelming number of teak plantations. But the area's rich vegetation of moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, besides bamboo even way back in the 1980s, was recorded as "under heavy pressure, with vast areas of forest felled licitly and illicitly. The rate of denudation is about four-fold the rate of planting, specially around urban areas". Industrial development in Uttara Kannada has often been forest based. It is not surprising that the insidious pace of development has slowly and surely been affecting this pristine habitat's biodiversity.

In a wooded grove one afternoon, lulled by a gentle cool breeze and the repetitive tuk tuk of the Copper Smith barbets that abound, I wake up to the loud chattering of the Malabar Giant Squirrels. There's magic in memories a ramshackle little hut ensconced in masses of purple, mauve and yellow bougainvillea, mystic mauve and purple sunsets, a magical dawn in the Jungle Lodge's jetty with a lustrous moon on my left and a rosy red sunrise towards my right as I watch the swirling mists over the Kali's streaming speed while she gently laps my toes. Not to speak of the graceful flight of the roosting hornbills, and most specially the warmth of the people of Dandeli.