Saanvi K. studies psychology, so a wildlife field trip didn’t seem an obvious fit. It turned out to teach her something important about her own subject.

Her group stayed at Madhuban Eco Retreat, next to the Ratapani Tiger Reserve outside Bhopal. Over the week they learned how forests work, what conservation is up against, and how easily a wildlife habitat can be thrown off balance. At Van Vihar National Park, Mr Waghmare took them close to lions and tigers. Experts talked them through living alongside urban wildlife, snakes (with Shibajee Mitra), road ecology, and how to identify frogs and other species.

“Some of the best learning happens outside lecture halls — in forests, conversations, shared challenges, and quiet reflective moments.”

The moment that stayed with her came at the Tribal Museum in Bhopal. Among the exhibits on the Gond, Bhil and Baiga communities was the Pagal Dev Khambh, and it made her stop and think about how differently cultures understand mental health. “Psychology isn’t just clinical,” she wrote. “It’s deeply shaped by beliefs, community, and lived experiences.”

Many of the best moments were quiet ones. An early-morning forest walk with Anup Mourya, learning to recognise sagwan (teak), amaltas, mahua, palash and the crocodile bark tree. Spotting jungle babblers, parakeets and black kites. Meditation, and a pottery class she enjoyed so much that she wants to keep going with it.

Some were just good fun: building a forest shelter out of natural materials as a team, and learning to pitch a tent.

The trip was put together by Dr. Nilesh Wagh, Dr. Parvathi J R and Sahil Suryavanshi. Saanvi came home with new knowledge, a new hobby, and a lot more curiosity about the world around her.