A very commonly asked question
after the Jungle Safari is whether one spotted the tiger or not, and if
spotted, how many? how close? How long? In fact, many tourists knowingly or
unknowingly visit Jungles only to spot the tigers and get disappointed if the
tiger is not seen. It’s unfortunate that we generally believe that a jungle
safari is about tiger spotting alone.
Though the tiger is an apex
predator and keystone species of the forests and spotting tigers in the wild is
one of its kind experience, but forests are much (so much) more than the
tigers. In the quest to look out only for tigers, we miss out on so many other
aspects of the forest. The jungle offers much more provided we have the
farsighted vision and zeal to look for it. A growing body of literature has
pointed out that exposure to pristine natural forests has a significant
positive influence on boosting physical & mental health, reducing stress, promoting
healing and overall wellbeing. The Japanese people practice ‘shinrin yoku’ or
‘forest bathing’ (a practise of being with nature) to rejuvenate and escape
stress-filled daily life. It has known to have a positive effect on the heart
rate, pulse, sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nerve activity of
human beings.
Take the case of Tadoba Andhari
Tiger Reserve (TATR), popularly known as the land of tigers. Though TATR is famous
among tourists for tiger sightings, but there are equally thrilling and mesmerizing
experiences and activities in the wild beyond the tiger sightings. In an
attempt to promote ecotourism, TATR officials have promoted various activities
such as Nature trail, nature camping, cycling trail, adventure activities,
kayaking, sailing, birding machan, butterfly world garden, loghut Stay, Home
Stay, and Souvenir Shops (https://mytadoba.org/other-adventures/). The facilitation of such eco-tourism
activities offers the surrounding villagers and tribal communities a source of
alternative livelihood, boosts their income, reduce their dependence on forests
and stop their migration to urban areas.
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| Machan Stay |
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| Birding Machan |
When visiting the forested areas,
one should also visit the nearby villages adjoining forests. The economy of
these people depends on forests and forests, in turn, depend upon the practices
of these people. For instance, if the local men are engaged as administrative staff
in the hotels & resorts and if the local women are engaged as cooks in the
restaurants, they won't have to venture into the forest to cut the fuelwood.
This would not only make them earn more but also reduce the chances of
man-animal conflicts.
Reflecting on my recent visit to TATR, I felt the following could be some of the To-Do activities during the visit to wilderness areas.
· Observe the percentage of local staff employed at the resort where you are staying. If it is negligible, provoke the owner to boost local employment as it boosts the local economy and the local people won’t have to migrate to nearby cities in search of better occupation or jobs.
· The villages adjoining the forest mostly belong to tribal communities. For instance, Basod community has an ancestral occupation of handcrafting bamboo products. With the advent of plastics, their products are dying a slow death. Try to purchase and promote their products. It costs nothing!
· Prefer to stay at a local homestay. It not only gives villagers the opportunity to serve you but you also get an opportunity to get the feel of local culture.
· Eat local. The traditional cuisines on Chulha are mouth-watering and provides an alternative source of livelihood to rural people. Remember, their economy depends on you.
· Don’t blow horns or listen to loud music. Instead, hear the mesmerizing sounds of the jungle, the sound of a freshwater stream, the chirping of the birds, the rustling of the leaves, etc.
· The souvenir shops at forest gates keep exclusive tribal and traditional products. Buying these products offers the local artisans a readymade market. It's a good practise to gift such products on birthdays and anniversaries.
· Don't throw away waste or plastics in the pristine forested areas.
· Visit the Tourist Interpretation Centre and understand the flora/fauna of the particular forest.
· Spend a day in a rural setting to understand the local customs, traditions, and culture. Understand the challenges faced by these people and if we can take any corrective measures to solve their problems.
· Educate other people about sustainable ways of being in the forest.
Thus, Next time when you visit a forest, be on the lookout for the aforementioned activities and take the holistic feel of the pristine forested areas.
