Machan

A machan is a basic wooden platform built in the forests to track animals without alerting them. They are built on top of trees or pillar structures. They were primarily used in the olden days by hunters, but nowadays, Animal Watchers and Farmers are using them.

Machan is ubiquitous in tribal areas during harvest season as the smell of the harvest attracts the Elephants to the farm. They help the tribals in spotting the animals at a distance and take necessary actions to prevent crop loss and divert a conflict.

Machans are found in many books and documentaries, notably in Jim Corbett's Books. They help wildlife enthusiasts and researchers to observe the wild animals from a great distance and help study them without a direct conflict with the wild.

Photography @travelwithakhilesh