India’s first forest canopy slope train inaugurated at Wildernest Nature Resort

A slope train conceptualized, designed, and operated as a unique experience at Wildernest Nature Resort, Chorla Ghats was inaugurated by Shri PratapsinghRaoji Rane, Hon. Ex-CM of Goa.

This is the first of its kind project to be implemented in India and an exclusive experience of viewing the Western Ghats of India through the tree canopy.

Capt. Nitin Dhond, Managing Director, Swapnagandha Resorts Pvt Ltd, whose brainchild this is, opined that this model can be replicated across Goa as well as India to solve forest access issues as well as provide forest canopy views for eco-tourists without disturbing the habitats. Capt. Dhond also thanked the design, logistics and mechanical teams for their hard work and grit to complete this project in record time.

All the team heads that contributed to the project were honored with a shawl and a memento By Shri Rane.

The Chief Guest on the occasion, Shri Rane, emphasized the need for a long-term vision on hinterland-based tourism and applauded the Wildernest management for establishing the twin resorts Wildernest and Swapnagandha in the Chorla Ghats area of the Western Ghats.

He traveled on the train twice to soak in the experience along with senior Director Baba Dhond and shared his experiences from his travels in the landscape with all those present.

Shri Kiran Thakur in his Vote of Thanks, thanked Shri Rane for his abundant support and guidance for all social and path-breaking work in the region and praised the team at Rachana Infotech for steering this project into operations in these tough times. He said that this concept can further be utilized in areas that are inaccessible by roads or are insensitive forest habitats across the country.

This one-of-a-kind project has been constructed and installed by Rachana Infotech, Belagavi and is the first ingenuously designed operational slope train in India.

This slope train covers a distance of approximately 110 meters through the forest canopy and provides a 360 view of the magnificent VazraSakla falls on one side and the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary on the other. This forest is part of an Important Bird Area. Lesser-known wildlife like the Slender Loris and the Great Pied hornbill too are part of this unique landscape and sightings at dawn and dusk are common.

Sunsets are beautiful and extravagant here and one can view the city of Panaji and the fabled Arabian sea from the highest point of the slope train.