Teepee Culture Wilderness Festival goes virtual

May 29, 2020

Teepee Culture Wilderness Festival goes virtual

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One of the positive notes during the pandemic and following lockdown was felt in the form of Wilderness Weekend by Teepee Culture. Ranging from mentor-led sessions and webinars to an awe-inspiring panel of experts, with yoga sessions and virtual jungle walks peppered in throughout the day, with a scintillating scientific orchestra marking the end of the events, this event will remain in the heart of the nature lover for a long long time.

A day long festival – Wilderness Weekend was recently organized by Teepee Culture – A wilderness platform in association with Aaranyachar an experiential tourism outfit.

With a stellar line-up of expert and mentor led sessions, masterclasses and webinars for your #SFH (Skill from home) time, during a pandemic, this event was raised for a cause to support forest communities dependent on the forests as a means of livelihood via our conservation partner – Last Wilderness Foundation. The day was spread with learnings and studies from the field with basics of nature and wildlife photography, healing, discussions on important conservation initiatives and some eclectic music to follow, both on Instagram LIVE and Zoom platforms.

The mentors and experts included – Shivraj Singh from Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge taking us on a virtual ‘Nature Walk’ from the forest, Neha Sinha(Environmentalist and Commentator) who spoke on ‘Bird Science and policy’ at such times when the world is threatened by increasing human activity, Bhavna Menon (Programme Manager – Last Wilderness Foundation) led an amazing discussion on ‘Communities in Conservation’ with Mrunal Ghosalkar (Conservationist) and Padmaja Rathore (Environmentalist & Philanthropist) from Bagheeras Camp, Jawai, Rajasthan.

Leading the zoom sessions and webinars were – Aniket Gupta (Aaranyachar) and Sarika Khanwilkar (Wild Tiger) who was LIVE from Houston, US to discuss ‘International Tiger Trade’ followed by sessions lined up by – Sushil Chikane (Founder – Journeys) on ‘Destination based Wildlife Tourism’, Sarang Naik (Wildlife Photographer) on ‘Creative & Abstract Nature Photography’, Shashank Birla (Naturalist & Founder Wilderlust Expeditions) took quite an interactive session on ‘Basics of Birdwatching’ and finishing all workshops on a soulful touch with Anish Abraham (Healing Forest & Nature Connections) who led a beautiful session on ’Forest and Nature Healing’ bringing the much needed serenity and bliss. The festival closing keynote was undertaken by noted conservationist Vidya Venkatesh on ‘Human-Animal Conflict’ and the way ahead for humanity.

Such an inspiring day and line-up wasn’t all. The morning 5 elements Yoga session was rejuvenating for participants after a virtual jungle walk and the sunset was marked by a mesmerizing performance by Masterplants Orchestra – A technology converting plant energy to music and a scintillating performance by Archer & Tripp – A handpan duo who gave their first LIVE performance from Germany.

All in all a day full of nature connections and knowledge seeking for those who want to make a difference in this world.