What began as an idea evolved into a meaningful pursuit and a way of life.
Charged by age, trends, excitement, appeal and a zeal to start something of his own, Paras established Camp Sparrow. In 2014, it was among the pioneers in the region, acquiring hospitality market trends. We had chosen to offer adventure, fast-paced services, food and beverage cuisine that were quite happening back then.
The space constituted tents of two kinds. It was a hit among tourists and travellers seeking to experience tent stays. Camp Sparrow offered forest hikes, treks, hosted NYEs, musical evenings, and bonfire evenings. People from across the country used to book the space for its unique experience. The space, being one of a kind, also had a strong online presence. Online visibility brought challenges with the kind of crowd, functionality and more. As Paras tried to manoeuvre through it all, he was struck by another idea.
After learning about natural buildings and sustainable construction methods, Paras was keen on experimenting with mud-walled rooms. A few years of operating in the mainstream tourism industry led to the initiative of the alternative sustainable model in 2018. Mud-walled rooms were admired by visitors and guests as a new concept. It operated with basic facilities and amenities. We had college groups, birdwatching workshops and even corporate outings during this phase. As usual, a few groups and packages were peaceful, while others gave us valid reasons to dislike hospitality as service providers. All the challenges in the field brought us clarity regarding our pursuits and strengthened the functioning of the space. Also, it was the time we started wondering whether the space needed a different name.
The phase of renaming Camp Sparrow to Sparrow Woods.
Our basic mud houses got beautified. Extended balconies and patios were built, and interiors were redone. The stage began as an effort to protect the structures from deterioration. It took the form of renovation, lasting for an entire year. Vishwajeet was part of our team. He gave his best to set up the space and even taught himself to become a professional cook. We had decided to offer it as an elite, high-rated accommodation. We also borrowed from banks and others to invest in the renovation and maintenance of the mud houses.
The waiting period for the peak season saw a few bookings, but to our dismay, the peak season’s response was much lower than our anticipation. Reliable team members disassociated, and a section of our business got crippled. Well, as the saying goes,everything happens for good! The season-based trends, unhealthy competition, and negative footfall of the tourism industry hit us hard, prompting us to reconsider our choices. The season was a loss in terms of material earnings, but it built meaningful relationships and a rich understanding of our abilities and limitations.
Over time, our pursuits have converted from merely earning profits to living by what’s right for us, our human and non-human companions and the rest of nature. We love working with authentic parts of the natural environment, and we strive to reconnect humanity with the rest of nature. So the Camp Sparrow has currently evolved to what we call – the ‘School of Nature’! The space is soon to become a monastery for learners seeking to explore and delve into the teachings of pristine nature. Stay tuned for updates related to our next phase in the journey of Camp Sparrow~Sparrow Woods~School of Nature!