Canopy Walks in India: An Apart Experience to View Forests from Above
Ever dreamt of being carefree like a bird and looking down at the forests? When we usually walk in the forests, we use the paths built on the ground. We see tree roots, grasses, bushes, and sometimes animals. But, we rarely get to see the world at the height of trees where birds, monkeys, and innumerable insects inhabit.
Here, canopy walks, wooden or iron walkways built high into the trees, help us. The walkaways serve as bridges built above the forest from where you have a panoramic view of the entire forest down below. The walk is not only thrilling but educative and connects you to nature.
Canopy walks are becoming an increasingly popular trend in various parts of India and are being relished by nature lovers.
What is a canopy walk and why are they special?
Canopy walks are essentially paths built in the forest at a height that usually travels between tree branches. These look like sturdy bridges crisscrossing through the canopy made of wood, steel, or ropes and safely engineered to meet safety standards.
The special thing about this is that it provides us the chance to view the forest from a bird’s eye view. You can access places where it is virtually impossible to reach through a normal walking path.
For instance, while walking on the ground, you will only see the bark of tree trunks, overhead leaves, and waving grass. However, up on a canopy walk, you are close enough to gaze at colorful birds building their nests, monkeys leaping about, and rare flowers and creepers blooming; this is called the hidden world of the forest.
Best Canopy Walk Destinations in India
India is a country with greatly varying forests and ecosystems. It has everything from dense rainforests, mangrove forests along saltwater, dry forests, and Himalayan forests. That is one of the reasons the experience of the canopy walk varies so distinctly from area to area.
- Kerala – Wayanad, Thekkady and Silent ValleyThe lush forests of Kerala test the saying, “God’s Own Country.”Wayanad: Rainforests look mysterious. If at all you take the canopy walk, different varieties of birds, hornbills, or maybe dozens of butterfly species will mesmerize you.Thekkady: This is the specific zone for the large tiger reserving under Periyar. Here, elephants can be spotted at a distance when one takes a canopy walk.Silent Valley: Perhaps, it is the most protected rainforest in India. One would here find the rare monkey with the lion-tailed macaque and abundant herbaceous plants.
- Sundarbans National Park, West BengalOne thing to be proud of Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is that it is the largest mangrove forest in the entire world.A long canopy walk is built over here through the Dobanki watchtower.This walk will delight you with views of special salt-tolerant trees, muddy trails, and rare birds.If luck is on your side, you might catch a distant glimpse of the Royal Bengal Tiger, which is the main attraction of this zone.
- The Himalayan Region of Uttarakhand and SikkimThe Himalayan forests are unique in their evidence: fresh and cold air, and a view of snow-capped peaks hanging at its high canopy walk.Canopy walks in Uttarakhand sneak in between dense deodar and pine forests where these vultures and eagles can be spotted easily.Canopy trails constructed around Kanchenjunga National Park in Sikkim are pure bliss. Here one gets to have a sight of rare red pandas as well as high-altitude birds.
- Dandeli, KarnatakaDandeli is part of the Western Ghats and is known for biological diversity.The canopy walk here is also long and built at a high altitude.It offers you the real experience of the grandeur of the dense forest.Here you stand a chance to glimpse rare black panthers and a lot of birds.
Why to perform a canopy walk?
A Unique Viewpoint
Usually we see the forest from the ground. But a canopy walk gives you the chance to see from up above like a bird. The experience is quite different, as here you will observe things that simply do not show in a normal safari or trek.
Biodiversity Experiences
Every forest has its ecosystem. While the rainforest of Kerala is green and moist, the mangroves of Sundarbans have trees and plants that survive on salty water and mud. Canopy walk is the opportunity to view these diversities at very close quarters.
Eco-adventure
These days, people want such adventures that are fun and supportive of the environment. Canopy walk falls under this category. No fast-driving vehicles involved, no pollution either. You just walk slowly over the forest, thus connecting with nature.
Heaven for Photography
For lovers of photography, canopy walking is a great bonus. Sunlight pouring from overhead, filtering through the leaves and giving a close view of birds makes pictures special.
Considerations during the canopy walk
- Safety comes first – Always walk while holding onto the handles and ropes; extra care for children.
- Comfortable clothes and shoes – Light clothes and shoes with a good grip, so you do not slip.
- Shut your mouth – Noisy clatter can scare the animals and birds away. Walk slowly and talk in low tones.
- Carry rubbish back – The forest must remain as is after your visit.
- With a guide – There are times when the guide tells you of rare birds or plants that you would not have recognized had you been alone.
Importance of Canopy Walks
Such importance of eco-tourism increases even more in those countries where tourism is constantly on the increase, like India. Canopy walk provides tourists the opportunity to interact, but more importantly, it helps to foster this kind of interaction in favour of the protection of nature.
The trekking experience not only fascinates but connects people to the forest and environment.
As travelers see the beauty of the forest from up above, they become conscious of its fragility and importance. This feeling inspires them to protect nature.
The dynamic is illustrated as trees lining the canopy walk built within the mangroves of Sundarbans come to life when tourists understand that these trees are the barrier villages have against floods and storms. This thought inspires conservation activities.
Conclusion
A canopy walk is so much more than just an adventure activity; it is a unique opportunity to bond with nature. It takes us into that hidden layer of forest usually lost to our sight.
These walks across the various regions of India teach us that the forests exist not just on the ground but high up too.
Do relish the canopy walks the next time you happen to visit Wayanad, Sundarbans, Dandeli, or in the Himalayas, for it will surely make your trip worthwhile and bring you closer to nature!
