Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in India
Walking on the Wild Side
Everyone is eager to witness it! The most coveted animal in India The majestic Tiger. Trailblazers set up a camp to take the students of a Mumbai school, to the famous Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in India. Set in the scenic Aravalli hills, the rugged terrain of this reserve is also home to sloth bears, leopards, wild boars, sambhars, Nilgai, spotted deer and a variety of birds. Open-air cantors added a dash of thrill to the safari. The royal cat was elusive however we were able to detect its presence via the claw and pug marks on the trees. The forest did provide us with sightings of sloth bears, crocodiles, wild boar, sambhar and the ubiquitous deer that have been spotted. We also spotted a family of peacocks and plenty of rufous trees. The treepies have become habituated to human beings and regularly approach the cantors. Students were delighted to see the birds from close proximity. The next visit was to Ranthambore fort. It was constructed during the 10th century and ruled by many dynasties, including the Chauhans, the Mughals and then the East India Company. In awe of some of the stories of the fort, students thoroughly enjoyed the visit. A brief overview of Indian wildlife was provided through the Trailblazers team, who played fun games that students loved. Camps like this inspire us to do our best in spreading the message of environment conservation to students all around.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Lake Trail
The trek to the top point in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) during monsoon is popular among the adventurous Mumbaikars. The Buddhist Basaltic Caves – the Kanheri Caves- are the starting point of the trek up to the summit of SGNP. The trailblazers arranged this challenging adventure for a group of youngsters. The group crossed the caves before heading towards the open rock plateau that leads to the Gaumukh temple, from which one can take in the stunning views of the city. To observe the three lakes that cascade, namely Tulsi, Vihar, and Powai Lakes, we trekked further to the highest point, Jambulmal. Experts from the Trailblazers team shared information on the fauna and flora we encountered on the hike. From the summit, amazing panoramas of lakes could be enjoyed by all. The silvery shimmer, encased by green carpets captivated the group.
The Western Ghats
Tribal Trail
The Western Ghats is one of the oldest mountains ranges on Earth It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is also a vital biodiversity hotspot in South East Asia. The Western Ghats are located from the border of Gujarat in the Dangs up to the southern tip to the southern tip of Kerala in Kanyakumari which covers an area of over 1600 kilometres and is protected by the Ghats. It is located 60 km from Mumbai city, in a tranquil mountain range of Maharashtra, and is the most well-known tourist destination known as Vajreshwari. The famous place is known for its distinctive landforms, picturesque views of mountains, and hot springs, along with the Tansa River. Beyond the terrain, Vajreshwari is also a tourist destination that includes its Vajreshwari temple, which is a sacred site for members of the Hindu community. Students visited a small village called Vajreshwari known for its cleanliness and high sanitation standards that are followed by residents. The village consists mainly of the local Marathi community and the Warli tribes in the forest nearby. Warli tribes are famous for their interdependence with nature and the paintings they create. Although there are no proofs regarding the precise origins of the art, its origins may be traced to as early as around the 10th century of AD. Studies suggest that tribals are the ones who propagated an ancient tradition that was born during the Neolithic period, which was between 2,500 BC to 3000 BC. This art is a continuation of a tradition stretching back to around 2500 or 3000 BC
Trailblazers ran a camp for children in the town of Vajreshwari for grades 9 and 10 at a Mumbai international school located in Mumbai. The goal of the program was to study and appreciate landforms and village tourism. As a part of the program, students visited the Ideal village as well to interact with the Sarpanch (the head of the village) and to learn about the importance of hygiene standards in villages, and the need to conserve water by harvesting rainwater, vermicomposting and biogas generation. The village head also shared details about the national and international awards and recognition that the village received and the role that community service and team building play in this.
These helped them earn these accolades. A short hike near Usgaon Dam was also conducted to gain a better understanding of the principles of water harvesting as well as the importance of dams in conserving water.
