Travel Goals: Pune’s Tehzoon Karmalawala embraces nature in 18 months solo trip across India

Pune: As many as 104 national parks, 54 tiger reserves, 32 elephant reserves and more than 40 world heritage sites: these are some of the places that a wildlife enthusiast from Pune visited during his one-and-a-half-year-long solo trip he undertook across the length and breadth of the country.

He is also the first person in India to cover all the places in one trip. The feat achieved by him has been officially recognised by the India Book of Records and World Records India, as the ‘Longest Continuous Exploratory Expedition.’

The purpose of this remarkable expedition by 42-year-old Tehzoon Karmalawala was not just to follow his passion but also to document and showcase the breathtaking beauty of the country’s rich and varied landscapes and its flora and fauna to the world.

Who is Karmalawala?

A real estate developer by profession, Tehzoon embarked on his journey in October 2021 in his trusted sports utility vehicle (SUV) and travelled 63,000 km witnessing the diverse tapestry of India.

“I started my journey from Pune on October 19, 2021, and traversed through India’s diverse landscapes: from the arid deserts of Rajasthan to the lush rainforests of the north-east, to the lofty Himalayan peaks to deep seas and to the ecologically rich Western and Eastern Ghats, to the expansive central plateaus, deserts to the captivating Andaman Islands,” Tehzoon said.

“During this 18-month-long expedition that ended on April 30 this year, I visited 104 national parks, 54 tiger reserves, 32 elephant reserves, 17 biosphere reserves and more than 40 world heritage sites,” he said.

Some of the prominent national parks he visited include:

- Hemis National Park, the largest national park in Ladakh.

- Saddle Peak National Park and Marine National Park at Andaman Island.

- Desert National Park in Rajasthan.

- Gir National Park in Gujarat.

- Namdapha, the rainforest national park in the Northeast.

Inspiration from Kerala trip

Tehzoon said his fascination for India’s wildlife and ecosystems began during a visit to Kerala in 2014, where he encountered a mesmerising array of bird species.

“From that moment on, my love for exploring the country’s biodiversity grew stronger, leading me to embark on numerous expeditions during breaks from work. These experiences not only provided solace from the demands of daily life but also ignited a profound passion for India’s untamed beauty,” he said.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, Tehzoon meticulously planned the itinerary to explore the untapped beauty of the country.

“Besides the natural landscapes and heritage, I witnessed the cultural tapestry of India, embracing the vibrant traditions and customs of the communities I encountered. This holistic exploration allowed me to gain a profound understanding of the nation’s rich heritage, which I intend to share with the world through a video web series and a photobook documenting my complete odyssey,” he said.

Trekked 2,100 km and met indigenous tribes

During the journey, Tehzoon trekked for 2,100 km to reach various destinations that were inaccessible to vehicles.

He met several indigenous tribes living in and around the forests and got an opportunity to experience and understood their belief systems, practices, and rituals towards the forests, food, handicrafts and arts.

Challenges faced

When asked about the challenges he encountered during this journey, he said he faced finding permits to visit the places and logistical issues.

“Despite facing permit and logistical hurdles, I overcame them along the way. Only two national parks - Campbell Bay National Park and Galathea National Park on Great Nicobar Island - remained inaccessible due to travel restrictions imposed on non-islanders,” he said.

Tehzoon added that his main message throughout the journey was to promote awareness and the importance of forestation.