The deep rooted desire, to return to nature, some of the blessings that we have received so abundantly, and to undo some of the damages done by our fellow humans to our environment”, that saw the setting up of this Group.
Himalayan Explorers is actively involved in the challenging task of tiger conservation in India.
About us:
“The deep rooted desire, to return to nature, some of the blessings that we have received so abundantly, and to undo some of the damages done by our fellow humans to our environment”, that saw the setting up of this Group.
Himalayan Explorers is actively involved in the challenging task of Tiger Conservation in India.
Himalayan Explorers in Tiger/Wild Life Conservation:
Addressing the Man Animal conflict resulting into poison killing of the Tiger
Preventing the spread of diseases in the wild herbivores from domestic cattle grazing in the Jungle by organizing vaccination camps against diseases like FMD and PPR-V.
Preventing the spread of disease in the wild carnivores from domesticated non vaccinated dogs by organizing vaccination against Rabies and Distemper.
Developing grass lands by uprooting of weeds.
Organizing tree plantation in the Tiger Corridor’s.
Promoting Tiger conservation among the schools and colleges by organizing seminars on International Tiger day’s etc.
Promoting smokeless Chula,s among the dwellers of the forest, so as to reduce the dependence on firewood from the forest.
Himalayan Explorers is promoting Tiger/ Wild Life Tourism in Central India with the support of the auto giant Mahindra & Mahindra.
Past Events:
1) Mahindra’s Wild Escapes:
a) Organized Mahindra’s Wild Escape-2014
b) Organized Mahindra’s Wild Escape-2015
c) Organized Mahindra’s Wild Escape-2016
d) Organized Mahindra’s Wild Escape-2017
2) Himalayan Explorers organized the First Trans Himalayan “Save the Yak” Motoring Expedition-2011, with Mahindra Adventure, for which Avril Khambatta Thakur, (President Himalayan Explorers) received the Prestigious Mahindra Adventure Award. The event was flagged-off from the Mahindra Towers Kandivili in the hands of Mr. Vivek Nayyar (Senior Vice President, marketing) M&M on 28th of March 2011, for M&M was the vehicle partner wherein they provided the team of 09 members with 02 Mahindra scorpio Getaway 4×4 and one scorpio 4×4. The team reached Nagpur on 30th of March 2011 and further flagged-off from zero mile stone Nagpur on 1st May 2011 to mark the Maharashtra Day in the hands of Sh. Shivaji Rao Moghe, the then social justice minister Maharashtra and guardian minister Nagpur.
The 07 member’s team comprised of 1) Vinod Laxminarayan Thakur, 2) Sharukh Cassad, 3) Shiraz Doongajee, 4) Yohan Doongajee, 5) Ashish Limbanna, 6) Kewnedra Talwar and 7) Ahmad Punjuwani. The team members drove from Mumbai to Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh from where the Indian Himalayas begins. Kibithu is supposed to be the east of North East, 3 degree east of Port Blair and east of Dhaka. From here again the event was flagged- off by colonel Bali of 20 Sikh Regiment.
The expedition drove through the entire state of Arunachal, (even ferrying the vehicles through the Brahmaputra to reach Pasighat), Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal (during Nepal Bandh), Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, covering all the three sub-sectors of Laddakh, travelling through all the passes and returned back to Nagpur via Srinagar, Jammu on 6th June 2011.
This was the first ever motoring expedition to travel through the entire Himalayas in one go. The event was meticulously planned by Avril Khambatta Thakur on paper maps, because those days’ Google maps and other apps were not available. Avril was the one who corresponded with M&M and roped them as Vehicle partner. There after the team members reached Kandivili where they were given a warm welcome.
3) Himalayan Explorers organized the Royal Enfield “Save the Tiger” Rally on 1st May-2012 from Kasturchand Park to Pench Tiger Reserve Madhya Pradesh and back. The event was Flagged-off by Sh. Shivaji Rao Moghe, the then Social Justice Minister of Maharashtra and Guardian Minister Nagpur. The event was flagged-in by the then Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Maharashtra). Avril Khambatta Thakur liaised with ‘The Hitvada’ and roped them as media partner. ‘The Hitavada’ gave good coverage to the event along with the promotional material such as banners, stickers and official photographer to cover the event.
4) Himalayan Explorers organized the first Royal Enfield Bike Rally in Chhattisgarh to celebrate the International Tiger Day and spread the awareness about the Tiger Conservation and its importance in the Ecology and Economy. The ride was from Bhilai to Barnawapara wild life sanctuary and back. The event was flagged-off in the hands of Avril Khambatta Thakur (President Himalayan Explorers). 60 Royal Enfield riders and pillion riders participated in the ride. The participants were addressed by Avril Khambatta Thakur about the importance of Tiger in the ecology and economy of the nation. Avril Khambatta Thakur rode along with the participants and inspired the riders all throughout the run. The event was given good media coverage by both print and the electronic media. Here Himalayan Explorers picked up a good number of riders from Chhattisgarh with Satyendra Sahu as a leader.
5) Himalayan Explorers, under the guidance of Avril Khambatta Thakur, organized the first Motoring Expedition to the Highest Observation post of the world (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) “Dorzila” (18750’) in 2007. The event was Flagged-off in the hands of K. Sudarshanji, the then Sarsanghchalak from Nagpur. It was received and flagged-off at Rangpo by the Governor of Sikkim. The expedition was led by Dr. Vinod Laxminarayan Thakur, Commandant/Vet, ITBP, Central Frontier Bhopal, the then Asstt. Comdt./Vet, 11th BNITBP. All the logistics support from Rangpo to Rangpo was provided by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. The Sikkim Taxi union also participated in the expedition from Rangpo to Nathu-la (14202’) and back. The team was given a warm welcome at M.G. Road Gangtok, by the department of Tourism Sikkim.
7) Himalayan Explorers organized the first Expedition (Kandivili to Karakoram) in the Sub Sector North in Laddakh to celebrate the 54th Raising Day of the INDO-TIBETAN-BORDER-POLICE-FORCE. The event was flagged-off by Sh. Krishna Chowdhry (IPS), the then Director General of Indo-Tibetan-Border Police on 24th October-2015, from 39th Bn. Indo-Tibetan-Border Police, NOIDA.
A team of 15 members under the leadership of Avril Khambatta Thakur was flagged of from Mahindra Towers Kandivili in the hands of Mr. Bijoy Kumar Chief of Mahindra Adventure on 20th of October 2015, reached NOIDA on 23rd October 2015 and flagged off for Karakoram on 24th October 2015.
8) Himalayan Explores under the guidance of Avril Khambatta Thakur, organized mass tree plantation drive in the camps of security forces in the Naxal dominated Chhatisgarh at Aundhi, Domikala, Sitagaon, Pallemadi, Chilhati, Churia, Boartalao, Kanhargaon and Dongargarh to mark the World Environment Day. The plantation drive started on 5th June 2017 which continued for three days, wherein 1001 saplings of Banyan, Pipal, Neem, Jamun, Guava and Mangos were planted. 100% saplings have survived and grown into full trees, for which Avril Khambatta Thakur had been appreciated by Mr. Ashok Negi (PMG), the then Dy. Inspector General, Indo-Tibetan Border Police , Anti Naxal Operations.
9) Himalayan Explores organized plantation at the office of the Dy. Inspector General ITBP, Anti-Naxal-Operations at Rajnandgaon in the hands of Sh. Madhusudan Yadav (Mayor Rajnandgaon) and other dignitaries.
10) Himalayan Explores organized International Tiger Day on 29th July 2018, at Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Academy Mussoorie, wherein Avril Khambatta Thakur invited the guest speakers from Wild Life Institute of India and Uttarakhand forest department, to propagate the message of Tiger Conservation among the ITBP’ ians and head of most of the schools in Dehradun and Mussoorie, so as the message is passed on to the youths. For this Avril Khambatta Thakur had been appreciated by Mr. P.S. Papta, the then Inspector General, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Director Indo-Tibetan Border Police Academy.
11) Himalayan Explores organized Republic Day Ride-2020 with the support of R’BEL Dehradun and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. The event was flagged off at Dehradun in the hands of Mr. Nilabh Kishore (IPS), Inspector General Northern Frontier and was flagged-in at Mussoorie in the hands of Mr. P.S.Papta, Inspector General ITBP Academy Mussoorie. The event was a grand success where in 76 Royal Enfield bikes with 101 riders participated. The event was led by Dr. Vinod Laxminarayan Thakur, Dy. Commandant/Vet, SHQ /DDN.
12) Himalayan Explorers organized a Royal Enfield Ride on 24th October 2020 to mark the celebration of ITBP Raising Day. The event was flagged off at Dehradun in the hands of Mr. Nilabh Kishore (IPS), Inspector General Northern Frontier. Keeping in mind Corona Epidemic Himalayan Explorers restricted the participation to 25 Royal Enfield Bikes. The event was led by Dr. Vinod Laxminarayn Thakur, Commandant/Vet, SHQ /DDN. Avril limited the participation to the minimum keeping in view of the COVID-19 norms.
13) Himalayan Explores organized Republic Day Ride-2021 with the support of R’BEL Dehradun and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. In this event Avril Khambatta Thakur tried to bring 04 other Royal Enfield bikers group under one umbrella. The event was flagged off at Dehradun in the hands of Mr. Ashok Negi, Dy. Inspector General Northern Frontier and was flagged-in at ITBP water wing Shivpuri, Rishikesh in the hands of Dr. Vinod Laxminarayn Thakur, Commandant/Vet, SHQ /DDN. . The event was a grand success where in 150 Royal Enfield bikes with 175 riders and pillion riders participated. This is one of the largest gatherings of Royal Enfield bikes in an event in the state of Uttarakhand.
Upcoming Events:
1) Drive through the wild life corridor of India.
2) Plantation along the banks of the Shivnath River in Chhattisgarh, from its origin, Kotgul, in Maharashtra from 5th June 2022, i.e. World Environment Day.
3) Royal Enfield Bike Ride “Mana Pass to Marsmik-la”, so as to reach Leh on 5th of August-2022, to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of the formation of the Union territory of Laddakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
4) First Motoring Event to Umling-La (19300’) with the department of Atomic Energy and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
4) Mass vaccination drives at the Tiger Reserves of Central India during the wild life week-2022, i.e. from 1st October 2022 to 7th October-2022.
5) “The Asian Tiger Trail” to the ten South East Asian Countries with the following aims:
Tiger Conservation.
Promoting Tiger Tourism.
Exploring the possibility of an International Tiger Corridor from India to these ten South East Asian Countries.