cycle, so the frequency of sightings in one park can change year on year. If recent years Satpura/Bori, Tadoba, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Kanha, Panna, and Dudhwa have all had a good cycle of sightings with remarkably successful breeding females. Recently, there has been significant tiger relocation out of better-known parks and Tiger Reserves to populate smaller reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries. This not only reflects the success of Project Tiger and an increase in tiger numbers, but will hopefully provide new opportunities for watching wild tigers. Eco-Tourism is redefining travel. What initiatives have you been involved with? I was part of a team that Established the Eco-Tourism Society of India and was a founding Vice-President. We soon realised we need to be more focused and the name changed to The Responsible-Tourism Society of India. Our emphasis was on responsibility and partnership with local communities, and not on economics. We ran, and still run, training programmes in partnership with State Governments, and lobby governments for sensible ways to manage the impact of tourism. Are there other areas of India that reflect your inherent belief of landscapes that have shaped India’s rich history and culture? I love the deserted cities of Hampi in the Deccan, Gaur on the banks of the Ganges in West Bengal, and Mandu in Madhya Pradesh. They all highlight the fabulous wealth and architectural grandeur of different dynasties in varied regions. Hampi was deserted after the kingdom was defeated in battle in 1565. It is the place I know best and always love exploring —the 41km2 landscape of palaces, secular buildings, temples, irrigations schemes in an area of flat valleys divided by granite hills and punctuated by massive boulders. INDIA AWAITS continued 6 Whether you are visiting India for the first time or are a seasoned explorer. We have a trip for you! © Varun Mathur © Varun Mathur | Wild Horizons Magazine - Autumn 2025 www.wildfoottravel.com — WANT TO KNOW MORE? Click this box
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