Dear friends, Anant Van fulfils a cherished dream. The latest avatar of Churhat Kothi, it’s a wildlife camp with a difference: a small farm at the edge of Bandhavgarh where we have begun a reforestation program, to sustain the delicate ecological balance of our park. Anant Van allows us to bring local communities in Bandhavgarh into the life of the wildlife reserve, since we recognize people’s participation as essential to our forest’s survival and success. We plan to regenerate 21 acres of overgrazed and barren farmland close to the tiger reserve, in close partnership with the villagers who live here. We have divided the project into three parts: • Forest regeneration • Experiments in organic farming • Self sustenance through responsible tourism These goals are interdependent and equally integral to the long-term survival of the forest. Successful wildlife tourism depends on forest regeneration; forest regeneration depends on the rural community living around the national parks; the rural community in turn depends on farming. And together, we depend on people visiting Bandhavgarh and participating in our endeavour.   The recognition of this fundamental interdependence has led to the Anant Van project, which we established in early 2006. The camp already demonstrates that ecologically viable materials can make for a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing experience. Anant Van is a home stay of two welcoming cottages made from earthen bricks, and two tented cottages with spacious attached bathrooms.   While the cottages are even more comfortable than our tents at Churhat Kothi, the focus at Anant Van is different. Rather than making another luxury camp, we want Anant Van to provide a holistic and spiritually rejuvenating experience. Instead of being clients consuming a tourist experience, our guests will be actively involved in the Anant Van effort.   Living in our new farm, you’ll find that your cottage overlooks a vegetable garden at the same time as offering an undisturbed view of the surrounding natural forest. We have radically re-imagined the wildlife camp experience. Rather than scattering facilities to fulfil a static idea of luxury and exclusivity, Anant Van brings different sources of energy together. You’ll find signs of the love and commitment that’s gone into this project everywhere – whether it’s in the images that local villagers have etched into the walls or in the carefully chosen saplings that regenerate the indigenous forest around us.   Developing Churhat Kothi and then passing it on to others has allowed me to better understand the true meaning of responsible tourism. With Anant Van I hope to take our efforts to another level..   We have started our work through small projects that are directly connected with conservation and community participation. This guide is an introduction to our reforestation, farming and village school projects along with the home stay program at Anant Van. I hope you will be here to celebrate the richness of India’s wildlife, the reason why we are here.   Dhruv Singh Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve