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ABOUT US

My father Inder Pratap was introduced to the Kumaon hills in the 1950s, his earliest recollection of this spectacular region an elaborate shikaar. An old spool-reel unearthed from a forgotten trunk revealed a treasure of fascinating moments from another era: of commandeering mahouts and white-turbaned bearahs; family members kitted in their safari best following a full day of jungle sport.

This Raj legacy continued until the 1970s, when hunting in India was finally banned. Yet as it happens, hunters often turn to conservation - their experience of the forest, of an area’s ecology and habitat, can prove invaluable in conservation efforts. For my father - who never hunted - the building blocks for becoming an environmentalist were laid in the time spent in these jungles. Corbett Park’s variety of wildlife provided an endless photographic repertoire. And there were regular Corbett pilgrimages; one even came to be his post-wedding holiday with his new bride during the 1973 launch of Project Tiger!

Born into this tradition, my sister and I too became Corbett pilgrims, surrendering to the thrill of campouts in forest bungalows, tiger tracking on elephant back, long campfire nights with forest guards, and sumptuous picnic lunches surrounded by the wonders of the jungle.

We learned through sight and sound, discussion and debate. That the forest and its inhabitants share complex and invaluable relationships was clear to us; what was not was how much of our forests were doomed to the axe. Years later my father established Jim’s Jungle Retreatin the very village he had visited as a child, to accomplish at least three things: regeneration of vital forest land, support for local villagers dependent on the forest’s fragile resources, and to give our guests the privilege to experience and celebrate the richness of the Indian jungle and all the treasures it holds.

THE ENVIRONMENT

SOLAR ENERGY GEYSERS 
To provide heated water to the kitchen, lodges and the wellness center.

USE OF LOW VOLTAGE LED LIGHT BULBS 
To minimize electricity usage at the camp.

WASTE WATER ROOT ZONE TREATMENT 
For reuse in watering the grounds.

PROVIDING MILK, WARM CLOTHES AND SHOES TO ‘OPERATION MONSOON’, A FOREST DEPARTMENT INITIATIVE 
Unconditional assistance to Operation Monsoon that trains villagers to patrol forests during the rainy months and provide protection to wild elephant populations.


SEGREGATION OF WASTE
Solid waste management from all sources for recycling.

MAHAVAN PROJECT
When we arrived at the site on which Jim's Jungle Retreat now stands, the land had been stripped for agricultural use and was denuded of any flora native to the area. Over the years we’ve been planting carefully and with time, we have nearly 100 species of trees, over 50 of plants and grasses native to Corbett’s forests growing on the property. With habitat creation, a wealth of insects and birds have again taken up residence here, not to mention visits from spotted deer, sambar, jackals and even the occasional elephant and tiger!

LOCAL COMMUNITY

ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL COMMUNITY
Create environmental awareness within the community to reduce dependence on forest produce. Nearly 90% of our staff is resident of local villages in the vicinity of the retreat and from around Jim Corbett.

Proceeds are used to finance teaching staff and teaching aids for village schools. Part proceeds from our Nature Boutique are also used for development work.

LOCALLY SOURCED SUPPLIES
A majority of our supplies are sourced from local villages and from the Ramnagar area, providing direct & indirect benefit to several local families and their dependents.


WORKING WITH THE FOREST DEPARTMENT
On anti-poaching activities and afforestation initiatives.


ACTIVELY SPREADING CONSERVATION MESSAGES TO VILLAGERS AND GUESTS
To illustrate the importance of the Tiger and its habitat that provide a livelihood for several thousand families near Corbett alone.


REGULAR VILLAGE SANITATION EXERCISES
Active participation in various village cleaning events, anti-plastic drives and involvement in World Environment Day with Forest Department, including pamphlet distribution and related initiatives.

The people

INDER PRATAP SINGH AKOI

INDER PRATAP SINGH AKOI

A visitor to Corbett since the early 1960s, Inder spent his formative years in the Corbett forests. Those moments helped him recognize man’s inexorable link with the animal world and that our futures are perilously burdened because of human excess and resource misuse.To extend the knowledge gained of this vital link between man and jungle, and to join in an effort of conservation, the idea of a wildlife lodge was born. The lodge would bring employment opportunities to the local villagers, and conservation ideals to a tourist audience via a unique wilderness experience.

DALEEP AKOI

DALEEP AKOI

Having spent nearly every family holiday in the Corbett jungles, Daleep’s association with this region traces back to his early childhood, cemented in his school years with frequent angling excursions and month-long sabbaticals inside the reserve.Returning to India after an 11-year spell in New York, Daleep is responsible for the passion the lodge exudes when providing guests with an experience similar to his as a boy: a thrilling wildlife adventure with a tactful implantation of conservation ideals.




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Jim’s Jungle Retreat

Village & PO Dhela
Ramnagar
Corbett Tiger Reserve
Distt.-Nainital
Uttarakhand - 244715

[email protected]

+91 11 43516376 | +91 11 47537647

+91 9711789828