Udaipur based KC Riders’ 6 member team completed a 350 km Ride into the forests neighboring Udaipur, to promote Environment Awareness. 

Their campaign, titled Paryavaran Chetna Shivir (Environment Awareness Camp) was held on 28-29 November, with the riders taking on a peaceful road journey from Udaipur via Salumber to Dhariyawad and then camping overnight in the forests at Araampura before proceeding the next morning to Baansi to participate in an internal training session on Herbal Gulaal (Temporary Color) production at the Forest Department Office at Baansi in Pratapgarh.

Though it was 160km journey to Araampura, the first destination, the team progressed slowly, meeting village folk and forest department personnel on their way, at Salumber and Dhariyawad.

“A visit to a farm house at Dhariyawad, owned by Narayan Singh Bhati was an eye opener for us”, said Firoz Ali the head of the touring group.  “The entire farming was carried out using Solar generated electricity”, said Firoz.  Narayan Singh, the owner of the farm said that using Solar energy keeps two issues at bay – huge electricity bills and motor burning issues caused by electric fluctuation.  “The power generated by the Solar plant is enough to run our water pumps for the entire day”, he said.

The group proceeded to Araampura and camped overnight in the forests, with a rendezvous in the forest guest house as well.  Trekking through the forests in pitch dark at midnight and then later driving through the interiors of the forest early in the morning, the group was fascinated with the serene environment of the jungle – bamboo creaking, wind blowing gently and the sounds of birds and smaller animals.  “A conversation with the villagers and staff at the Forest Guest House was interesting, when we were informed about the ways of the jungle and the specific timings of various natural activities by wild animals and birds”, said Abbas from the troupe.

Monu, who had his first outing with the group was excited on returning and said, “The most appealing part of the trip was the hospitality of the locals.  Wherever we stopped during our short journey, we were welcomed and served with utmost hospitality, be it making us comfortable or the food served.”  “The home made food provided by the locals was relished by all of us”, he further added.

“After the jungle ride, we progressed to Baansi, which was another fun ride through the open brown jungle route, which again presented us with the fact as to the luxury the city folk get used to with roads, services, all within an arms distance.  The pleasure of riding along tough terrains in the midst of the jungle is what makes us appreciate nature and allows us to provide for it, more than it provides for us”, is what Firoz Nath told us.

“The villagers took us through areas where Saagwaan and Bamboo jungles were mercilessly chopped down to provide for construction in the cities, making a natural forest land barren and environment non conducive to vegetation growth”, lamented Firoz Ali.

Making a valid point towards the end of journey at 7PM on 29 November, he said that development in the region is well spread and happening in all directions.  However, not going against development and construction of concrete jungles, it is important that the government, private citizens, builders, etc all make it a point to provide for maximum vegetation by planting maximum saplings for each tree they cut down.