Guides, naturalists and environmentalists play an important role in the way we experience national parks. They are the people who are driven by passion for wildlife and a concern for the environment around them. They make sure their guests get a rich safari experience. After rigorous training, they keep themselves updated of the changes in the parks and are keen trackers of wildlife.

Naturalist and guides interpret the sights and sounds of the jungle for visitors. For an experienced and trained guide, the jungle is like an open book, and they must read the telltale signs and listen to the sounds of the wild, to make it come alive. A wildlife experience in Central India goes well beyond the spotting of a tiger. Just one ride with one of the experienced naturalists, and a world of knowledge opens up.

Kanha National Park has introduced a new initiative in recent years, which employs and trains women guides, in this previously male-dominated profession. These women are from nearby villages, who now have an opportunity for an alternative source of livelihood.

Beyond curating jungle safaris, naturalists are ever-ready to take interested visitors for a nature trail or a village visit, and share their knowledge. They teach guests about the co-existence of flora, fauna, and human beings in one space. They plant the seed of curiosity, so that guests continue to think about the natural world long after they have gone home.

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Abhinav Kakkar
Rakesh Solanki, a naturalist working with Singinawa Jungle Lodge, Kanha, whose career spans more than two decades, spotting birds at Bhimodi Lake
Rakesh Solanki, a naturalist working with Singinawa Jungle Lodge, Kanha, whose career spans more than two decades, spotting birds at Bhimodi Lake
Abhinav Kakkar
Seema, one the few women guides at Kanha National Park’s Mukki Gate.
Seema, one the few women guides at Kanha National Park’s Mukki Gate.
Abhinav Kakkar
Pranad Patil is a naturalist at the Singinawa Jungle Lodge in Kanha
Pranad Patil is a naturalist at the Singinawa Jungle Lodge in Kanha
Abhinav Kakkar
Anshuman Shah, head naturalist with Samode Safari Lodge, Bandhavgarh.
Anshuman Shah, head naturalist with Samode Safari Lodge, Bandhavgarh.
Abhinav Kakkar
Sachin Sharma, a naturalist from the Singinawa Jungle Lodge, Kanha.
Sachin Sharma, a naturalist from the Singinawa Jungle Lodge, Kanha.
Abhinav Kakkar
Gaurav Dhotre, a naturalist who works with Pugdundee Safaris, Pench.
Gaurav Dhotre, a naturalist who works with Pugdundee Safaris, Pench.
Abhinav Kakkar
Rajan Gurung (Raj), a naturalist associated with Shergarh in Kanha.
Rajan Gurung (Raj), a naturalist associated with Shergarh in Kanha.