If the likes of Khandala and Matheran are too passé, there's a new adventure camp waiting to be discovered — one that promises to recharge your batteries.
For the weary city-dweller, tired of dealing with traffic snarls, there is an oasis of peace just a few kilometres from Mahableshwar
If the likes of Khandala and Matheran are too passé, there's a new adventure camp waiting to be discovered — one that promises to recharge your batteries. The backwaters of Koyna, just 27 kilometres from Mahableshwar, have a seductive charm, and it’s not too far away even for the laziest of campers.
For this, we have to thank the MTDC for pulling up its socks and following in the footsteps of the public-private partnerships that have been a success in states like Kerala and Rajasthan. After its Bed-and-Breakfast scheme, the state tourism department is promoting its latest initiative — Mahabhraman — a scheme that allows private tour operators to enter into a partnership with the MTDC, in a move to promote some of the untapped destinations in Maharashtra.
Koyna is one such destination. Chinmay Divekar, director of Nature Trails, a private camping site, wants Mumbaikars to leave the urban jungle and try out something new. And with camps at Dabhosa, Durshet and Vikramgadh, he intends to introduce paragliding and other such adventure sports. For instance, at River Camp Tapole, on the banks of the Koyna backwaters, Divekar has set up 20 tents and organises activities such as trekking, kayaking, valley crossing and mountain biking.
"The concept is popular, and campers are more than willing to pay twice the amount a five-star restaurant would charge to live in a tent and eat barbeque chicken," he says. "They enjoy the fact that we avoid using electricity and that we are cut off from the city."
Campers are simply soaking up the experience. Kayaking has become a much sought-after activity. “It is more fun when the Kayak topples over, and you get wet,” says 10-year-old camper Siraaj Tamboli, tugging at his life-jacket. Siraaj loves kayaking so much that he's planning to go on a five-day expedition where participants go island hopping to discover new places.
For 12-year-old Shanaya Mistree, living in a tent and being independent is the best part of the camp. Yes, she misses her mum and dad, but "nothing beats living with friends and going for night trails," she says. Waking up to the sound of the Purple Sunbird is not something you can do in the city, and that's the experience Shanaya treasures the most. "It's better than the persistent, harsh sound of my alarm clock," she says.
The land has been leased from the villagers. "I have taken the land on lease for 10 years," says Diverkar. "I didn't want to spoil the charm of the village.” And villagers aren't complaining. The tourism has given their meagre incomes a boost. It's a symbiotic relationship — campers at Koyna visit Ahir village to get a taste of the rustic culture, while villagers get to explore new job avenues.
Rakesh Sankpal's father is a rice farmer, but the 19-year-old enjoys his job as a trainer at the camp. “Our economy has enjoyed a boost, and we are exposed to new people and new ways of thinking," says Rakesh. The locals also like educating the city folk about life in the village. "We show them our rice and nachani farms," says farmer Subhash Sankpal.
m_irani@dnaindia.net
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