You are invited
for
Adventure and Nature Immersion Retreat
From 11 to 14 October, 2013
Note: the programme length has been reduced by one day based on popular demand and facilitate visit of other areas in Udaipur on 15th for those interested
Venue: Sitamata Sanctuary (located in Pratapgarh
district in southern Rajasthan at the confluence of Aravalli and Vindhyan hill
ranges and Malwa Plateau.) The area of the sanctuary starts from about 100 km
from Chittaurgarh as well as Udaipur and continues for about 100 km further.
The participants will stay in 3 different places by rotation and will visit
different and diverse parts of the sanctuary which are interspersed with
various rivers, water streams, dams, deep gorges, lush green hills and
beautiful valleys which harbour a variety of flora and fauna.
Special features:
·
The whole area is considered a mega
biodiversity zone because of immense amount of variety of plants, birds,
insects, butterflies and wild animals present in the region.
· Harbours many rare or threatened
plant species such as Chironjee (Buchnania lanzan), Galgal (Chochlospermum
religiosum), Hastikaran (Lea macrophyla) and many more.
·
According to mythological belief,
Devi Sita spent her days of exile in the deep woods of this sanctuary and there
is a deep split gorge still clearly visible at the end of which a small
Sitamata temple is located. There are even remains of Valmiki Ashram and a huge
Banyan tree on which Luv and Kush supposed to have played. This is one of the
most dense, diverse and beautiful forests of the sanctuary.
 |
| Flying Squirrel |
· The engraved paintings on rocks
depict animal pictures which are more than 2-3 thousand years old indicating
historical human presence.
·
Jakham Dam, the second largest dam of Rajasthan, a huge water body interspersed
in a serpentine gorgeous dam side steep hill sides located in the middle of Sitamata
Sanctuary. These hills offer an exceptionally thrilling opportunity for
trekking, hiking and adventure activities.
 |
| Jakham dam overflow |
 |
| Jakham dam and gorges |
Places of Stay: Participants will be staying in
three different and unique places, by changing places each day to cover the
visit of diverse and interesting parts of the sanctuary.
·
Arampura retreat centre: Located
in the midst of a thick Teak-Mahua forest, Good location for viewing wild
animals in the night and flying squirrel every day evening. Has seven rooms
with attached toilets, 2-4 person tents and a large dormitory or a specially
located meeting hall and ethnic jhompa
offering an attractive and inviting place for interaction.
· Poonga Talab tree hut resort: This
has five tree huts in the midst of bamboo thicket overlooking a flowing water
stream. Additionally there are 4 rooms and a large dormitory. The whole complex
provides an ideal place for holding meetings and small conferences or training
programmes for a small group. This offers an opportunity for viewing rare
jungle fowl and other wild animals in the night.
· Jakham guest house in the middle of dam overlooking spreading waters in the interspersed
in the middle of serpentine deep gorges and lush green hills till the distance
we can see. This offers exceptionally beautiful view of moonlit sky over the
lake. The serenity and enchanting views are truly thrilling. The whole
atmosphere is spiritual as well as adventurous.
Other special attractions of this trip
·
Moon lit nights just before full moon
make the nights very soothing and attractive. Because of this the night views
over the water streams and lakes surrounded by lush green hills and valleys
will be especially beautiful. Small night treks and sits on the watch towers
will be organised for especially interested participants.
·
The whole atmosphere becomes highly
scintillating and helps in spiritual practices. Special meditation activities
will be organised for interested participants.
·
Exceptionally knowledgeable experts
will be available for nature interpretation who will explain about various
plant and animal species, various natural phenomenon, ecosystem services, balance
and implications for us.
·
All the treks will be guided and well
planned to make our experience rich and enjoyable.
·
For interested people especially
healthy and natural food with greater component of raw foods will be provided.
Locally available fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs will be used.
Objectives
·
To provide an opportunity for
complete nature immersion experience
·
Facilitate greater learning from
nature to live in balance and harmony
·
Re-energise life and get a breather
from stresses of routine work
·
Learning from nature (special
opportunity for nature interpretation from experts about all creatures and
phenomenon – plants, birds, wild animals and ecosystem)
·
Learning about the principals of
natural farming
·
Learning about various herbs and
edible plants from wild
·
Provide an interactive opportunity
for sharing and promoting mutual learning
·
Experiencing a greater eco-friendly living
with minimum foot prints
Programme:
11th October, 2013: Departure from
Udaipur between 7-9 AM including pick up for those who are arriving by train or
flight that day morning. From Chittaurgarh pick up will be arranged from
Railway station on arrival at about 4-5 am (coming from Jaipur or Delhi) and
about 6 am (coming from Mumbai). On way a possible visit to a nature farm and
interaction with local community. Arrive at Aarampura in Sitamata Sanctuary have
lunch and visit a small trek in the afternoon. River stream bath and river side
meditation. Evening workshop about the objectives and overview of the special
features of the sanctuary and programme for the next four days. Flying squirrel
viewing in the evening. Evening cultural activity and stay and settling for the
night.
12 & 13 October, 2013: Daily morning
yoga, meditation and spiritual practices, nature trekkings or eco-visits in different
diverse parts of the sanctuary with interpretation and nature education, river
stream baths, specially organised mutual sharing workshops, cultural evenings
and interest-based sharing events
14th October, 2013: Morning Yoga and
meditation, trekking, ecosystem awareness walk etc. Then common workshops for
sharing, learning, networking and commitment for action. Exhibition and display
by participants. Specially organised organic food workshop. Departure after
lunch to catch trains or flights from Udaipur/ Chittaurgarh and for other
places.
Note: Those who want to leave on 13 Oct (Sunday), as some people have demanded, it will be possible to leave on 13th in time to catch the trains/flights from Udaipur or Chittaurgarh.
The length of the programme has been reduced by one day from the first announcement. This has been done to accommodate a visit of places of interest in Udaipur/Chittaurgarh for a day for anyone who wants on an extra and actual cost.
The length of the programme has been reduced by one day from the first announcement. This has been done to accommodate a visit of places of interest in Udaipur/Chittaurgarh for a day for anyone who wants on an extra and actual cost.
Groups:
The participants will be divided in
two broad groups after first day experience (which will be common for all):
·
Adventure group: Those who want to go for good
hiking, long trekking, and adventure activities. The fitness level of these
participants is expected to be high and they should be able to take strenuous
walks between 10-20 km every day. These groups will be going with pack lunches after
breakfast every day for such activities.
·
Nature immersion group: Those who want to
do the whole activity in more relaxed manner with simpler and shorter (3-5 km)
but interesting and informative treks. They will have more time for guided learning,
sharing and participatory activities.
Note: Both the groups will meet at one
point every day in the afternoon for common sharing and learning workshops. On
the last day the entire programme will be common to share mutual learning and
commit for future action.
Special Health, Food and Nature-friendly Lifestyle Workshop:
·
These special workshops will be
organised everyday for anyone interested from both the groups, if there are
more than 20 people interested in this. The special arrangements for this will
be announced separately, after making an advance assessment.
Daily reflection workshops and experience sharing events:
Topics can be: Natural and organic farming, Permaculture,
Nature-friendly sustainable living, Holisitic health and healing, Implications
for urban sustainability, Indigenous food and health, Medicinal herbs and
edible wild plants, Biodiversity conservation, Ecosystem balance and role of
nature education, Environmental management, Challenges in community-based
sustainable resource management, Nature-friendly enterprises and possibility of
mutual learning, Learning facilitation approach to education, and such other
topics of mutual interest.
·
Methodology: The participants interested in
presenting/ conducting a workshop will be requested to indicate their topics of
interest at the time of registration. Further there will be an opportunity on
the first day to post the topics of their interest and experience. The similar
interest topics will be clubbed into different workshops on different days.
Interest-based learning and sharing events:
These will be small group activities
with focus on any of the activities such as: - Sky watching, Bird watching, Nature
photography, Nature Poetry, Nature painting, Music (singing, playing, listening
and dancing), Yoga, Pranayam, Meditation, Night trekking, Wildlife viewing,
Adventure sports and such others.
Who can join:
·
Any person who enjoys being in natural
and beautiful areas and is open to learning and sharing. The person should have
an adjusting nature to live and share resources with others and enjoy being in
groups.
·
The person has to be fit and healthy
without any serious illnesses or problems. Should be able to walk at least
about 3-5 km a day in normal terrain.
·
Families are most welcome to join
with children (but preferably not below 5 years of age). The families with
children below 12 years will not be able to join long treks.
·
Registration form with indemnity will
have to be filled in advance.
Contribution:
For covering the cost of stay,
facilitators, helpers, guides, food and all within sanctuary travel
arrangements, based on the type of facilities two levels of contribution has
been worked out as follows:
·
Lions Group: Rs. 1200 per day per person. This
covers the cost of stay in shared rooms or 2-4 person tents or in tree huts.
This also covers the cost of travel to and fro from Udaipur/Chittaurgarh. on the first day on arrival (11th
morning) and last day (15th) for departure only including the pick-up
from or drop off to airport/railway station. It does not cover the cost of
travel to and fro on any other days and separate cost will have to be paid for
any such arrangements.
·
Tigers Group: Rs 700 per day per person. This
covers the cost of stay in dormitory in groups and travel between different
destinations within the sanctuary. The cost of travel to and fro from Udaipur/Chittaurgarh
is not covered and participants can travel in public transport buses available
frequently starting from Udaipur/Chittaurgarh from 6 am in the morning to 6 pm
in the evening (detailed information will be provided after registration) or in
their own transport.
How to reach:
From Delhi: By air to Udaipur or by evening
train to Chittaurgarh arrive early morning at about 5 am. Then travel in
arranged or public transport to Arampura.
From Jaipur: By evening train to Chittaurgarh
arrive early morning at about 4 am. Then travel in arranged or public transport
to Arampura.
From Udaipur: In pooled or own transport or
public transport.
From Ahmedabad: In arranged transport (pooled) or
own transport can directly come to the Sanctuary headquarters at Dhariavad and
then to Arampura. Travel time is about 4-5 hours. There are direct over night
sleeper buses from Ahmedabad to Dhariavad also. After registration, we will
help in pooling people together.
From Mumbai: By air to Udaipur or by train
arriving at Chittaurgarh at about 6 am. Then arranged or public transport.
From Indore/Ratlam: Public transport buses arrive in
Dhariavad (sanctuary headquarters) directly and then to Arampura.
What to carry:
·
Some snacks, ready to eat (such as
roasted gram, or any home made food etc) to meet your special needs during
treks.
·
Haversack, drinking water bottles,
camera, binoculars, light clothes, light woollens, walking/hiking shoes and all
other personal essentials.
·
Please carry own shawl/thin blanket
or bed sheets for cleanliness.
·
The temperatures are very pleasant
around this time (generally between 27-35 max and 18-25 min) and no winter
clothes may be required. However, light woollens may be required in early
morning in some parts of the sanctuary.
Registration:
·
Advance registration is must with
full payment to ensure availability of space. The space is limited and will be
allocated based on first come first served basis. The registration may be
closed on or before 30 September, 2013.
·
Those registering for full four days will
be given first priority followed by those registering for longer period. The
registration should be minimum for three days at least to get a feel of all the
parts of the sanctuary and activities planned for the retreat.
·
Registration form will be provided through e-mail on request in word
format, which should be filled clearly and sent back by e-mail to (allwell.in@gmail.com).
·
The required payment should be
deposited in Bank account (30250200000366) of VAT VRIKSH in Udaipur Branch with
IFSC code BARB0HIRANM (the letter after BARB is zero). A scanned copy of the
receipt should also be attached with e-mail or if there is a difficulty in
scanning, a photocopy of the receipt should be posted along with a printed copy
of registration form on the address: - Rohit Jain, 257, Chankyapuri, Sector-4,
Hiranmagari, Udaipur (Rajasthan) 313002.
·
An extra copy of bank stamped receipt
of the deposition and filled registration form should be provided on arrival.
·
On arrival on the first day, all
registration coupons should be collected with details about stay and groups.
Contact for any information:
For Registration: Send filled forms to E-mail: allwell.in@gmail.com or rohiitjain@gmail.com.
For payments: - any querries call Rohit Jain
9783223520
For programme: For any questions regarding
programmes and routes call Rohit Jain 9783223520 or Kamlesh 9462679927
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