Help at our jungle homestay and experience wilderness, tribal culture, and peace of mind in Malanjkhand, India

Infos

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  Description

  My name is Joyita and I own a small forest homestay called House of Aranya. The homestay is near the Kanha National Park in central India. I came to Kanha 12 years ago to stay and work at a wildlife conservation NGO. Since then I have called this place my home. Slowly my family and I built a little haven, House of Aranya, named after my sweet daughter.
  
  I am a wildlife enthusiast and have been experiencing the dense jungles of Madhya Pradesh since I was a child. I am familiar with environmental and community work from my education in environmental management and work experience with organisations like PETA and Greenpeace as well as through grassroots work here in Kanha. Having a home in Kanha has enabled me to share my love for the wild with my friends and family, and now I have opened it to those with similar interests, on kindred journeys, looking for some lush quiet peace.
  
  The property is spread across 7 acres of land with a small home to host up to 8 people. We grow vegetables, herbs, and spices on the land and offer locally sourced meals to our guests. The kitchen is open for guests to cook their own food as well. The property is wifi enabled, with regular and as-needed housekeeping, and has provision of hot water upon request.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Aide dans une ferme

  Accueil / tourisme

  Entretien général
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Kanha is home to some of the oldest tribal communities of the world. The Baiga and the Gond tribe reside around the National Park and are trying to sustain their unique cultures and traditions despite the changing times. Over the last decade, my family and I have built close relationships with a few Baiga families. My father, for instance, has been trying to learn one of the Baiga musical instruments, and the tutor from the Baiga community has been a patient teacher.
  
  Baiga jewellery consists of beautiful beads and silver arrangements and the local forest department, with families like us, have been facilitating increased livelihood and income for the community through their existing talents. Gond art is known for its wilderness interpretation and is expressed uniquely through fine lines and vibrant colours. Both the communities are welcoming in sharing their art, teaching others, while expecting due acknowledgement and respect for their ancestral artform and talents.
  
  In addition to this strong intercultural learning, travellers will experience traditional methods of non-mechanized subsistence farming practices. We grow seasonal small batch crops, enough to sustain my family and guests. Any surplus produce is shared with homestay staff and neighbouring families. The travellers will be able to learn about various crops through this small scale farming and will experience authentic farm-to-table meals.
  
  Lastly, the property itself is a haven for nature lovers. There are nature walks within and outside our piece of land granting activities like bird and butterfly watching. Travellers will find peace and quiet, with a right balance of comfort and wilderness.

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  Aide

  We have recently opened the homestay to the public and need help with general maintenance of the place including daily housekeeping, farm upkeep, trail maintenance within the property, and exploring and executing opportunities for guest activities (for ex, butterfly and nature walk, stargazing etc). Importantly, we want to promote the homestay through our social media platforms and need help with regular content using real-time photos and activities on the property.

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  Langues parlées

  Bengali (Bangla): Courant
  Anglais: Courant
  Hindi: Courant

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  Hébergement

  House of Aranya nests on 7 acres of forest with a small house on southside of the property. Volunteers will be provided a shared dorm-style/multi-bed room, with attached washroom, and access to the kitchen. There is a water filter in the kitchen for drinking water. We will provide clean bedding, towels, and laundry can be done by the volunteers themselves using the washing machine on the property. We recommend volunteers to share any special requirements for stay and dietary restrictions prior to their travel and we will make proper arrangements accordingly.

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  Autres infos...

  Travellers are open to explore the forest and the area during down time. We will provide travel and personnel support to go for jungle safaris in and around the National Park. Weekly local markets are an interesting site to experience local culture and to buy any essential items. Over the years, we have made welcoming friends in the area, who would be glad to host and share their stories of Kanha.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Dogs

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Nombre d'heures attendues

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week