India's Mystery Gorge

Explanation: Welcome to the mystery gorge of Madhya Pradesh, India! Smack in the center of the country, just south of the town of Pachmarhi, is this steep and deep canyon filled with the most interesting plants and legends.

The ravine is some 300 feet (91 m) deep, formed by water erosion. A local story tells that the gorge was once a lake. A demon, taking the form of a giant evil snake, guarded the lake. Eventually, Lord Shiva, the supreme deity of Hinduism, killed the snake, and the force of the battle emptied the lake, leaving the gorge we see today. As the story continues, the shape of the gorge resembles a pot or handi, and khoh translates to cave or canyon. Thus formed Handi Khoh.

Large bee hives can be found on the canyon walls, and the site holds habitat for a variety of species including barking deer, Indian flying squirrel, sloth bear, and more. I found that the vegetation was partly dominated by mango (Mangifera indica) and sal (Shorea robusta) trees. The region also provides a wealth of plants of ethno-medicinal value, including a threatened tree fern most important in local folklore medicine.

My exploration of the base of Handi Khoh gorge,
here with a researcher from the Wildlife Institute of India:

EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week