zpsvfx5lenntxjsm 170 1

How Indiahikes Ensures Safety on Central Indian Forest Treks

How Indiahikes Ensures Safety on Central Indian Forest Treks

Category Health & Safety

By Naman Rakheja

2025-07-29

One of the most common questions we get asked about our Central Indian forest treks — like the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek or the Pench Tiger Trail — is around safety.

It’s a fair question. These trails are set deep in wildlife zones, home to animals like tigers, leopards, and sloth bears. For trekkers who haven’t walked these jungles before, it can feel a little intimidating.

So how do we keep our trekkers safe?

Let’s take you through it.

Click on the image to view the Video

1. We Trek with the Forest Department — Always

At Indiahikes, every single one of our forest treks is conducted in collaboration with the Forest Department. This is not just a permit on paper — it’s an active, on-ground partnership.

Forest guards and rangers accompany our groups throughout the trek. These are not just staff in uniform — they are highly skilled individuals who are trained in the region, and many of them have been walking these forests for a long time. 

They know the terrain and the behaviour of the wildlife like the back of their hand. These guides are not just walking alongside — they’re the eyes and ears of the group. Their understanding of the jungle is extraordinary. We’ve seen guards pause mid-trail, crouch quietly to study a pugmark, and tell us — with complete accuracy—not just which animal it belonged to, but how old it was, its gender, and when it passed by.

They’re able to do this not just for big cats like tigers and leopards, but even for smaller animals like porcupines, cheetahs, or sambars. Their knowledge of animal behaviour and movements is what allows us to trek safely through these protected lands.

And here’s something important — based on fresh sightings or recent movements, the number of forest guards is increased or reduced accordingly. It’s an active process, and the decision lies with the experts.

You might spot signs of the wild while trekking — like this Hyena pugmark (from Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek) etched into the forest floor. Photo by Nitesh Kumar

2. We Move as a Group — Always

Another important layer of safety is how we walk on the trail. Unlike Himalayan treks where trekkers may naturally spread out a bit, in forest treks, we stay together — no exceptions.

Why?

Because wild animals rarely attack groups. That’s a behaviour pattern that holds across species. Animals are wary of groups — it triggers a flight response, not a fight one.

This is also why you’ll find our Trek Leaders and Forest Guards doing regular headcounts, asking everyone to stay close, and ensuring the group remains intact at all times. It’s a quiet but crucial protocol.

This is Day 4 on the Pench Tiger Trail — and you can see the forest closing in around you. Photo by Ankit Chippa

3. We Do Not Camp Inside Wildlife Zones

One of the lesser-known but most effective things we do is with our campsite selection.

We never camp inside active wildlife zones.

Our campsites are always set up in buffer zones — areas slightly removed from animal movement routes. This isn’t something we take lightly. Every site is chosen with input from the Forest Department, and the location is approved based on recent activity patterns.

And even at camp, we have the forest guards around, adding another layer of safety.

That’s the Nayegaon Campsite (from Pench Tiger Trail) you’re spotting—tucked beside the lake, right at the edge of the forest. Photo by Ankit Chippa

Safety Comes from Awareness and Partnership

These three layers — walking with trained forest guards, trekking in tight-knit groups, and camping in non-active zones — are not just checkboxes. They’re part of a larger system of mutual respect and preparedness.

It’s why we’ve been able to conduct treks in these jungles for over years without a single incident.

Will you spot animals on these treks? 

Maybe once or twice. But not every time. That unpredictability is part of what makes these forests so fascinating.

What’s certain, though, is that you’ll walk away with a whole new understanding of what forest trekking really is. You’ll see that the Central Indian forests aren’t just about wildlife — they’re about deep silence, rare plant life, ancient trees, and a kind of biodiversity that’s hard to find anywhere else.

And most importantly, you’ll see that safety isn’t just about staying away from danger — it’s about stepping in with awareness, humility, and the right support.

That's what makes these treks truly meaningful.

zy3pj68jqart0nuc namanrakheja contentwriter

Naman Rakheja

Content Writer

About the author

An avid reader and learner who considers life a process of learning and unlearning! Naman has an immense love for adventure & outdoors.

Philosophical discourses interest him, and the roots of his writing lie in theatre and drama.

Related Videos

hqdefault

Pench Tiger Trail: Indiahikes Founder Shares His Raw Experience From The Trek

hqdefault

Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek vs Pench Tiger Trail: Which Trek to Choose? Arjun Majumdar Picks|Indiahikes

hqdefault

Why We Love Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek | A Tribute By Indiahikes

FAQs