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Escaping the rush and hurry of everyday lives, the budding geographers of class XI and XII, accompanied by their Geography teacher Ms. Kavita Saxena, paid a visit to the renowned Asola Bhatti wildlife sanctuary on 6^th October, 2022.

The sanctuary located on the southern Delhi Ridge of Aravalli Hills range on Delhi-Haryana border and covering an area of about 32.71km^2, is the clearest way into the universe through a forest wilderness. Being a part of the important Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor, this protected area contains one of the last surviving remnants of Delhi Ridge hill range and its semi-arid forest habitat and its dependent wildlife.

The excursion started with the expert Ms Geeta Yadav briefing the students about the endemic flora and fauna of the region as well as the various joint conservation initiatives undertaken by the public-private institutions. This was followed by a trek to the aravali fur centre which hosts around 250 butterfly species, 85 bird species and a provided an opportunity to the students to witness the nature in its truest self like the termite-reptile symbiotic nest, rare plants of medicinal importance like vajradanti, acorus and a number of fascinating butterflies. Delving deep into the woods, the students got a rare sighting of the passerine and non-passerine birds and learned to identify and distinguish between the calls of these feathered friends.

The trek then led the enthralled students lost in the ethereal and verdant beauty around them, to the Neem ka talab ( a natural water reservoir) on the banks of which the young trekkers had a cheerful and jolly time marked by clicking photographs, leisuring around, and learning about the ecosystem of the forests.

To get a more conceptual insight, The students were educated by the renowned ornithologist of India Mr. Mukul Singh who shared his scientific intellect about bird watching, various equipment used , migratory patterns,fly-ways and identification of bird calls through a seminar. The seminar culminated with an interactive quiz on the birds of india.

Later in the day, the students were further amazed by the sanctuary’s artificially-built rainforest park. The park had infused itself with every essence of a deciduous rainforest ranging from the moisture-rich climate to the affiliated flora of magnolia, barna and maple wood .The place also served as a niche to various species of dragonflies and butterflies amongst others insects.

The trek concluded with a visit to the sanctuary’s nursery providing an insight into the endangered species of the native vegetation which filled the students with realisation and awareness about nature. Verdure of acorus, asparagus and lemon grass could be seen. The curious minds of the young explorers were nurtured by the full exhibit of the life cycle of a butterfly- starting from the eggs followed by the stage of larva, pupa and finally to the butterfly. Various species of butterflies including the painted lady, silverline and plain tiger butterfly, flying around with their vibrant wings added plethora of joy to the excursion.

It’s been said correctly that it’s impossible to go into the environs of nature and not be affected by it. And the same was proved with every step that the burgeoning geographers took in the natural trails of the Asola Bhatti wildlife sanctuary.