Something meaningful took root in Janglikh last week — a hands-on effort to equip local youth to understand and lead in their forest spaces.

From November 25, 2025, to November 30, 2025, the Rohru Forest Division, in collaboration with Indiahikes ran an intensive Nature Guide Training Programme that equipped 32 local youth and forest personnel with skills in nature interpretation, wildlife identification, storytelling, and conservation ethics.

The training aimed to help the youth of the region step into nature guiding with confidence. They already carry an understanding of their forests, but they haven’t had many opportunities to share that knowledge with the outside world or to build the communication skills needed for guiding. The programme was designed to bridge that gap, enhance their knowledge, and give their existing understanding the right direction.

And what stood out was how quickly this moved beyond standard training. It became a community-led push to engage with their forests more deeply, contribute to eco-tourism in a meaningful way, and rebuild the connection between the communities and the ecosystems they depend on.

Why was the training needed?

The lower and mid-Himalayan forests of the Rohru Division are rich in biodiversity — pine and deodar belts, oak forests, thriving birdlife, and wildlife. Locals have grown up observing these ecosystems closely. 

Their understanding of these landscapes is strong, but most have never had a structured way to turn that knowledge into professional guiding.

The Forest Department saw this gap.

They involved Indiahikes to step in with our expertise in experiential learning and nature guiding.

Together, we built a programme that takes the knowledge the community already has and strengthens it with guiding skills that work on the ground. 

The idea is simple: to open up eco-tourism opportunities for young people while helping them step into stronger conservation roles in their own forests.

A Five-Day Programme Built on Learning, Observation, and Clear Storytelling

The workshop followed Indiahikes’ experiential approach — learn by doing, observe closely, reflect on what you’ve seen, and share it in your own words. 

Day 1: Laying the Foundations

The programme began with the basics of nature guiding, eco-tourism, and the Himalayan ecosystem. Participants also learned the Spider Diagram technique — demonstrated using the Pine tree — a simple method that helped them organise what they observe into clear, guide-ready narratives.

Day 2: Into the Forest — Identifying Trees on the Buran Ghati Trail

The first major turning point of the training came during a field walk along the Buran Ghati trail. Participants spotted and identified more than eight tree species, including: Kail (Blue Pine), Fir, Spruce, Deodar, Oak varieties (Kharsu, Moru, Banj), Walnut (Akhrot)

For many, this was the first time they were naming species using both their scientific and local names. 

Day 3: Wildlife Stories, Ethics, and the Art of Observation

Day 3 plunged participants deeper into the wilderness, combining ecological knowledge with the art of storytelling — a skill at the heart of guiding.

Participants explored the region’s fascinating fauna, spotting everything from the colourful Himalayan Monal and playful Alpine Chough to the elusive Black Francolin, melodious Blue Whistling Thrush, Red Foxes, Himalayan Black Bears, and even various ant species. 

Nature journaling sessions, binoculars and magnifying glasses in hand, sharpened their eye for the small details that often go unnoticed in the wild. Along the way, they also delved into wildlife ethics, learning how to share stories about animals responsibly and respectfully.

Day 4: Guiding with Skill — Storytelling, First Aid & Conservation

Day 4 pushed participants to sharpen both their storytelling and survival skills in the field. They learned to craft unforgettable nature narratives, weaving hooks, challenges, actions, and impact into each story. 

The day also included a high-altitude first-aid module, equipping them with essential skills to support trekkers and visitors in challenging conditions. 

To round off the learning, forest guards explained the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and guiding regulations, grounding participants in the legal responsibilities of eco-tourism and responsible guiding.

Day 5: Assessments That Reflected Growth, Confidence, and Pride

On the final day, participants put their learning to the test through both written and oral assessments.

They shared nature stories and guided interpretations, many finding their voice for the very first time. 

Every participant completed the programme, and beyond that, each one showed powerful growth — not just in knowledge, but in confidence, communication, and a genuine sense of care and responsibility toward the environment.

What Changed Over Five Days?

By the end of the workshop, the transformation was impossible to miss. Over five hands-on days, 32 young participants immersed themselves in the Himalayan wilderness.

But the change went far beyond numbers. They walked away with a strong foundation in nature guiding, sharpened observation and journaling skills, confidence in public speaking, and a deep understanding of conservation laws and ethical wildlife communication.

The Nature Guide Training Programme showed what’s possible when a government institution and an outdoor organisation come together with similar visions.

It strengthened local livelihoods, encouraged conservation-minded eco-tourism, and empowered community members to become true ambassadors of their forests. 

With continued support, the Rohru region is poised to become a model of responsible, community-led nature tourism in the Himalayas.

The Road Ahead: A Long-Term Vision for Himachal’s Forests

This programme is just the beginning. The Rohru Forest Division envisions a future where eco-tourism and conservation go hand in hand. Standardised competency frameworks for nature guides will ensure consistent quality, while building a trained local cohort will strengthen both visitor experiences and forest stewardship.

The plan doesn’t stop here — this model is designed to be replicated across Himachal, creating a network of knowledgeable guides who can also use eco-tourism revenue to support local livelihoods and conservation initiatives.

The partnership between the Forest Department and Indiahikes has set a strong precedent, proving that with guidance, support, and opportunity, local youth can grow into confident, responsible custodians of their forests — carrying forward the legacy of Himachal’s wilderness for generations to come.

The Hearts and Hands That Made It Happen

The collaboration brought together people who didn’t just bring expertise — they brought heart.

From the Rohru Forest Division, Ravi Shankar, the DFO, the Block Officer, and forest guards from Janglikh guided the group with experience rooted in the mountains. 

From Indiahikes, Abhishek Tiwari, Diptarka Gupta, and Pratik Jagtap carried the field-honed know-how of trekking, guiding, and storytelling, ready to ignite curiosity.

But it was the participants who made the programme truly come alive. 

Young men and women from Janglikh, Tangnu, and surrounding villages — including forest guards and aspiring guides — brought energy, questions, and keen eyes. 

Together, this mix of passion, expertise, and curiosity turned the training into more than a classroom.

Information Source: Diptarka Gupta, Abhishek Tiwari, Pratik Jagtap