- Bishnu Nath
I am Bishnu Nath, currently a 3rd semester Master degree student in the Department of Botany at B. Borooah College (Autonomous), Guwahati, Assam.
The whole adventure began as an academic necessity, a mandatory field trip required for the partial completion of our degree. To fulfil this, our department planned a study field trip and honestly, our initial expectations were somewhere completely different. We were dreaming big; Sikkim, Manali and what not! So, when the notice came out announcing a trip to Jaldapara National Park in West Bengal, organised in collaboration with Nature’s Beckon, it was definitely an unexpected news.
Before we even left, we had an orientation that became a crucial part of the story. ‘Assam Gaurav’ Sri Soumyadeep Datta Sir, the founder of Nature’s Beckon and Novanita Sharma Maam came to speak with us. This man is a genius. He deliberately set the stage, painting a picture of an extremely tough journey that would be completely opposite to the comfortable, easy-going lifestyle we normally follow. He emphasized the physical demands and the lack of city comforts and I have to admit that our morale was significantly lowered. We went into the trip with really low expectations, prepared for a serious hard work. The reality, however, was completely opposite of what we expected and what he described. The trip was without a doubt, the most amazing experience I had.
The trip began on 23rd October, 2025 from Kamakhya Railway Station. We were accompanied by our dedicated faculty, our HoD, Dr. Utpal Choudhury Sir, along with Dr. Hemen Chandra Majumdar Sir and Dr. Juri Moni Shyam Maam. We reached Alipurduar Jn. Station at around 5 am on 24th October, 2025 and were received by a team of Nature’s Beckon.
The immediate immersion into the Nature’s Beckon system included a fun and unifying activity. we were altogether 52 students. So, we were assigned a unique call name, a number, for easy co-ordination and roll calls. Mine was ’26’.
Beyond the numbers, there was the unforgettable sound of Soumyadeep Sir’s whistle. That was the ultimate tool for group co-ordination. Initially it was difficult to follow as we were not used to such processes. However, after one memorable moment of necessary scolding from the man himself, we quickly learned to gather in a group tracking his precise directions just like sheep. We now laugh about this collective memory. Though it might sound unbelievable, I actually miss the crisp, authoritative sound of that whistle.
Our first day was dedicated to a seminar conducted by Nature’s Beckon in Co-ordination with B. Borooah College. We attended valuable lectures on Biodiversity Conservation, with the members sharing deep insights about the region and its ecology. It was an honor to have the Vice Chancellor of Alipurduar University, Dr. Sarit Kumar Chaudhuri, as our chief guest, lending academic weight to the message.
In the evening, we learnt about Elephant behaviour from an expert Elephant-observer, Mr. Kripalochan Das Sir. We discussed about man-elephant conflict in details, and came across valuable insights from him.
The second day revealed as the best and most memorable day of the entire trip. It was a challenging, yet rewarding 30 km trek to Lepchakha Village, a Drukpa Buddhist settlement near the Indo-Bhutan border. In addition, we visited the historic Buxa Fort, situated deep within the Buxa Tiger Reserve. Originally built as a strategic military outpost during the British period, the fort later served as a detention camp for many Indian freedom fighters.
The hike itself was an intimate introduction to the forest, where every step brought a new botanical discovery. Tucked high on a hilltop, Lepchakha offered a panoramic, jaw-dropping view that stretched endlessly over the forests, rivers, and plains of the Dooars. The simplicity and hospitality of the villagers were profoundly moving, forcing a reflection on the pace of our own lives. When we came down with a bag full of memories from Lepchakha, there was a feeling of satisfaction and believe me, the nature itself seemed to applaud us with a gentle shower of rain. Since it was already dark, we walked together through the deep, dark forest with torchlights in our hands. We called it “The Torch March”. The air was filled with laughter and a bit of fear as I tried to spook my classmates with stories of ghosts and wild animals. It was thrilling, hilarious and an experience that I will never forget.
Our third day amid the Buxa Tiger Reserve started with meditation session followed by a detailed class on Biodiversity Conservation and also about why we need to conserve biodiversity in the first place. It was an interactive session between the students and Soumyadeep Sir along with Novanita Maam.
The day was also about exploring the heart of the reserve. We went on a thrilling jeep safari to Buxa Forest and the Jayanti River. We watched the beautiful, intricate workings of the forest and truly understood how mesmerising nature can be. We were lucky enough to spot majestic elephant herd, barking deer and even saw a massive wild gaur. The forest gave us sightings of different birds, including the impressive hornbills. We spotted evidence of bigger cats in the form of footprints on Jayanti River bed.
As the sun set, the atmosphere shifted to celebration after the dinner. The night was a fantastic cultural night where we sang and danced, creating memories that will last long. We were utterly overwhelmed by the hospitality of the Nature’s Beckon team and the local people. The warmth peaked with a small felicitation ceremony, where Ramkumar sir honoured our professors and also extended heartfelt recognition to us, the students, with their traditional scarf.
One of the most heart-warming takeaways is seeing the transformative effect of nature on me. There’s something about stepping away from the daily routine, into the wild that brings out the child inside, and I got to experience that joy firsthand. It was fantastic to watch our esteemed professors, who usually maintain such a serious academic demeanour, letting loose and enjoying themselves like college students right along with us. This shared, carefree energy solidified the communal spirit of the trip.
The true spirit of Nature’s Beckon shone during our mealtimes. Seating together and having our food as one unit, irrespective of our different backgrounds or roles, made for a great initiative of the natural world. The feeling of freshness and belongingness at every meal was palpable. This was coupled with a beautiful, shared responsibility: ensuring everyone had food, and then cleaning up together, washing our own dishes. These tasks, which might feel like chores elsewhere, seemed effortlessly beautiful and interesting in that environment. It was a powerful lesson in community and sustainability, proving that shared labour under the open sky creates the deepest connection.
More importantly, this journey was transformative for my academic and personal trajectory. The seed of biodiversity conservation has been successfully sown by the passionate team of Nature’s Beckon, and I will make sure to keep watering it. I am committed to nurturing this interest until, one day, it will turn out to be a big, impactful tree.
This field trip successfully blended the educational goals of B. Borooah College with the profound, hands-on experience of Nature’s Beckon. I am looking forward to any such future camps and opportunities to serve Mother Nature.
Lastly, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to each and everyone, Soumyadeep Sir, Novanita Maam, Ramkumar Sir, Kripalochan Sir, our amazing photographer, Jyotimoy Sir, the cooks, villagers, the Nature Guides and everyone, who knowingly or unknowingly made this trip successful.
A heartfelt gratitude to my lovely professors, Utpal Sir, Hemen Sir and Juri Maam for their guidance and love. And of course, a massive thanks to all my friends and my lovely juniors for their spirit and positive approach. This has been a truly memorable and lifetime experience which I will miss yet cherish for the rest of my life.
