Tree plantation in Chitvan, Kanha

Much awaited monsoon arrived in Chitvan, Kanha on 27th June. The entire team got together and has already planted more than 500 saplings in the lodge, and another 1500 to follow in next few days. Idea is to turn the degraded part of the lodge back into the forest. Saplings planted are same as found in the adjoining forest. Our GM is talking with the neighbouring village to increase forest cover in the area.

Sunflowers in Chitvan

This is the time of the year when the Sun flowers are in full bloom at Chitvan, this crop is not done only for look purpose but with a specific purpose of extracting oil, refining it, and using in our organic cooking at Chitvan. Afterall Sun Flower oil is suppossed t be good for heart, low on cholestrol...correct!!

Combatting Global Warming at Chitvan, Kanha

At Chitvan we have started to implement steps to combat Global Warming. Study was done on where we were contributing to Global warming, and then scientific steps are being taken to fight the same.

Our biggest challenge was to increase the forest cover, which would hide our buildings, so that direct sun does not hit the building and through radiant heat gain increase the temperature which would then require usage of Air-Conditioning to make the accommodation comfortable. We are in the process of doing the following:

1. Planting about fast growing local 1000 saplings aroung the blocks
2. Change the roof top colour to white to reflect the sunlight
3. Change the colour of the walls to white which face south and which are exposed to sun for maximum time.
4. Installing ventilation based air circulation system in the rooms with exhausts in the bathrooms, and fresh air from outside also pumped in.
5. Usage of outdoor solar lights to reduce consumption of electricity.

Steps 2-4 will reduce the room temperatures by almost 8 degree celsius as tested by us.

More thoughts in pipe line to make Chitvan a complete 100% eco-friendly lodge.

Nature walks around Chitvan

Our resident naturalists, Vibhav, Faiz, Sanjay, and Shyam daily go on nature trail in the forest adjoining Chitvan Jungle Lodge. Walking 3-4 miles daily in this virgin forest is not only refreshing but a great deal of learning takes place daily. It is just not seeing the odd Barking Deer,a Sloth Bear, Monitor Lizard, maybe Indian Gaur, but the richness of exotic bird life is something to be noticed and noted. These three naturalists have initiated lot of our guests into Birding on their regular walks.


As this walk is just adjoining a water stream that leads to the Banjar river, you get to see, Stork billed Kingfisher,Indian Pitta, Lesser whistling Duck, Comman Kingfisher, Crested serpent Eagle, Black hooded Oriole, Jungle Owlet, Crested Pied Cuckoo, Shikra, Little Grebe, Paradise Flycatcher(rufous), Black Naped Monarch, Comman Hawk Cuckoo, Blue Jay, and many other birds. A good one hour walk normally reveals not less than 25-30 different bird species.

Activities in Chitvan

We believe in the fact that no holiday is complete if it does not contain adventure and learning. Adventure part gets taken care of while you do sorties in the park to see Wild and Birdlife. But what else to do when you have time during the day.

At Chitvan we have tried to create an environment wherein there is learning for all age groups. No, no,no, Chitvan is not a school, but you learn a lot while at Chitvan about what real India is all about. Now, big question is what is real India? Mahatma Gandhi had said real India lives in its villages, how true.. So when at Chitvan you get to go and experience a typical day in a local tribal village closeby.

If you are a fitness freak, and enjoy walking, then take walk on the wild side with our naturalists to the Banjar river about 1.5kms away, through the forest adjoining Chitvan. While you enjoy the walk,our naturalist will show you lot of exotic birds in the area.

Participate in the organic farming activities while at Chitvan, our naturalist will take you for an orientation of our farms.

You may walk to a huge water body about 2kms away from Chitvan, and enjoy a cup of tea/coffee there, while interacting with the local kids.

A range of books in our library, all time classics, autobiographies, information on Wildlife, collection of last 110 years of National Geopgrphic magazines on CD's, and many more if you are into reading.

Our Chef who has experience of working with the best hotels in the country, demonstrates and teaches you whatever you wish to know about cuisines. You will take home lot of recepies, and memories of some delicious and organic cooking. Come and experience Chitvan for yourself.