Walk with The Pardhis – A Taj Safaris Initiative

 Taj Safaris’ Walk with the Paradis is a pioneering new jungle experience by members of the local Pardhi tribe in Panna National Park in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. Taj Safaris now supports training for the local hunting tribe – Pardhis, to leverage their natural tracking talent to offer an immersive and interactive wilderness experience to the travellers. 

Panna National Park, a wildlife reserve, had suffered devastating effects of poaching wherein the Pardhi community, known for their jungle knowledge; was used for the unlawful activities. Strict anti-poaching laws led to a significant increase in tigers numbers but left the Pardis to look for alternate sources of income. This initiative will offer an alternative to poaching and a new livelihood for the future generations of Pardhis. 

Taj Safaris, Last Wilderness Foundation and the Panna Forest Department came together to introduce a sustainable tourism initiative which is one of its kind in India. Not only does it offer livelihood to the Pardis as jungle guides but also defines the future of conservation in the forest. The training programme equips the participants with fine guiding techniques and enhances their already existing knowledge of the biodiversity and the forests in preparation for alternate livelihood. Since its inception, two batches of Pardhi youth including 16 men and 4 women are engaged with Taj Safaris and several others in the state’s tourism eco-system. 

Nagendra Singh Hada, Area Director, Taj Safaris said, “We have harnessed the three T’s – tigers, tribes and tourism to create a successful sustainable initiative. Taj Safaris is celebrating the Pardhi’s understanding of the forests and helping them leverage their knowledge to protect their fragile eco-system while creating a new livelihood for the tribe in the tourism industry. Travellers can now gain a deeper understanding of the forest life accompanied by a member of the Pardhi tribe – a nomadic hunting tribe whose knowledge of the land is as ancient as time.” 

Taj Safaris in Madhya Pradesh employs 70% local workforce; enabling skilled human resources and generating income through tourism. This initiative is deeply rooted in the parent company, The India Hotels Company Limited’s values for embedding Social Inclusion & Tata Affirmative Action in its CSR. 

For more information on the “Walk with the Pardis” please watch the video here. 

About Taj Safaris 

Breaking new ground in India, Taj Safaris offers India’s first and only wildlife circuit. Its four lodges based in India’s tiger heartland, Madhya Pradesh and one in Chitwan National Park, Nepal; provide guests with the ultimate wildlife experience. Taj Safaris’ lodges are founded on sustainable tourism principles and its specially-trained naturalists offer an interpretive and unforgettable wildlife experience coupled with the legendary service that the Taj is renowned for.  

Taj Safaris first opened its doors at Mahua Kothi—Bandhavgarh National Park in 2006. Three more lodges complete the Madhya Pradesh wildlife circuit: Baghvan—Pench National Park, Pashan Garh – Panna National Park and Banjaar Tola – Kanha National Park. In 2016, Taj Safaris opened its first international lodge, Meghauli Serai—Chitwan National Park. 

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