Melghat Passion Trail Day 1: Influencers Experience Thriving Wildlife Ecosystem A group of 25 influencers embarked on a four-day expedition into the Melghat Tiger Reserve on Sunday, marking the first day of the “Melghat Passion Trail,” an initiative organized in collaboration with The Times of India. The event aimed to highlight the lesser-known ecological and cultural significance of the reserve, located in Amravati district, often referred to as the “Kashmir of Vidarbha.” The journey began at Zero Mile in Nagpur, with participants traveling to Chikhaldhara, a region known for its lush valleys and winding roads. The trail, which spans four days, seeks to immerse participants in the natural and historical landscapes of Melghat. At the forest rest house in Chikhaldhara, deputy conservator of forests Kirti Jamdade provided an overview of the reserve’s ecological and social dynamics. The group was divided into four teams, with three heading to safari locations in Shahnoor, Seemadoh, and Vasali, while the fourth team remained in Chikhaldhara for a grounded exploration of the area’s historical trails. During the jungle safari, participants traversed narrow, dusty roads surrounded by teak forests. The experience included fragmented wildlife sightings, such as pugmarks and distant animal calls, though many encounters remained elusive. The Gavilgad Fort trek, part of the Vairat safari experience, offered a unique blend of history and nature. The fort, believed to have been a strategic stronghold during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and later used by Raghuji Bhonsale I during his Bengal campaigns, stood amidst forested pathways. The team encountered a space where ancient history intertwined with the wild, emphasizing the reserve’s dual role as a sanctuary and a historical site.#times_of_india #amravati_district #melghat_tiger_reserve #chikhaldhara #chhatrapati_shivaji_maharaj
