An escape to nature in the backyard of Gurgaon

The Bhondsi Nature Camp, on the foothills of the Aravallis, will open to visitors soon

Rock climbing, a forest trail, identifying trees and birds, walking on muddy roads, listening to the chirping of birds and enjoying the scenic lush-green forest are some of the many experiences that await visitors to the Bhondsi nature camp, 10-km from the city.

The Bhondsi Nature Camp was inaugurated by Haryana CM Khattar on Saturday. (HT FILE PHOTO)

Located on the foothills of the Aravallis, along the Sohna road and close to the Damdama Lake, the park will provide the city dwellers with a perfect weekend gateaway to connect with nature.

Residents can take a break from the noisy, polluted city and the monotonous living and escape to the forest. The 100-acre camp has been carved out of Bharat Yatra Kendra — a 600-acre ashram that belonged to former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar.

The park will be ready for visitors by August. “We are in the process of setting up accommodation for families and within a month we can start taking reservations,” said Subhas Yadav of Haryana Forest Corporation Limited.

The nature camp will soon offer more adventure as visitors can take ride in bicycles and spend the day with colourful peacocks unfurling their rainbow colours.

For families, 10 rooms are being developed inside the Ashram which will take a month, said the officials of forest department.

A seven kilometre trail is being restored, where participants can take a walk up to the hill, till Bhubaneshwari temple and experience the water-recharging zone a pristine 15-acre lake.

The visitors can learn rock climbing and study bird species of the region. The food will be served by the villagers straight from the traditional kitchen.

The park will also have log-huts and tents in the middle of nowhere, with a fire place right in the centre of 10 tents.

The entire facility will be run on renewable energy will have rain water harvesting system, solar water pump, composting and water recycling models.

Read I 100-acre nature camp inaugurated in Bhondsi near Gurgaon

Students will also have an opportunity to learn about medicinal plants, wildlife of the Aravallis and the ecosystem.

The 100-acre nature camp was inaugurated in Bhondsi on Saturday by the Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. It was also part of the World Day to Combat Desertification that was observed on Saturday.

The ashram dates back to 1983, when former prime minister Chandra Shekhar had set it up to promote environment. The Bhondsi panchayat had gifted 33 acres to the Kendra. The site also houses a farmhouse, that belonged to the former PM.