https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Think Less, Feel More; Let the Forest Heal You

By implementing India’s first 'forest healing centre' in Uttarakhand, Indian Forest Service Officer Mr. Sanjiv Chaturvdi is giving an altogether unique and blissful experience to the visitors.
Indian Masterminds Stories

That nature has the power to heal is not just a popular saying, in so many cultures and languages, but there is a lot of truth in it. It’s truly rejuvenating to the human body and soul. It’s said that the great English poet William Wordsworth came out with the construct of some of his best-known poems- including the Daffodils- while taking long walks in the unspoiled outdoors. Just a barefoot walk on wet grass in the evenings helps one in calming down the mind; the smell of fresh wet mud after a rain shower feels like pure bliss, and listening to the chirping birds’ song in the early hours of morning makes you feel rejuvenated.

Keeping the many benefits that nature provides us, in mind, IFS officer Mr. Sanjiv Chaturvedi decided to come up with a healing center for the public, where nature itself is both the doctor and nurse.

The forest is surrounded by pine trees

FOREST HEALING CENTER

Located amidst perfectly serene mountains and spread over an area of 13 acres, India’s first forest healing center has come up at Ranikhet in Uttarakhand. In collaboration with the Research Wing of Uttarakhand Forest Department, the research center was developed after research on the healing properties of the forests and its revitalizing impact on overall health and well-being.

Speaking about the center, the Chief Conservator of Forest (Research), Mr. Chaturvedi said, ”It draws inspiration from Japanese technique of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) and ancient Indian traditions and the basic theme is, be silent, go slow, think less and feel more.”

It’s a place to heal yourself with the help of nature

BENEFITS OF THE FOREST

This healing center has been established in a predominantly pine forest as it has been found in various studies that coniferous like pine trees release certain oil compounds to safeguard themselves from various microbes and pathogens, which are called phytoncides. It has been found in various researches that these compounds help to multiply natural killer cells in our blood, which help in fighting infections and cancerous growth and enhance overall immunity.

The forest involves a number of activities such as forest walking, tree-hugging, forest meditation and sky gazing.

According to Mr. Chaturvedi, “It has been found that because of typical molecular vibration patterns of trees, tree-hugging has a beneficial impact on the increase in the level of feel-good hormones like oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine, which creates a pleasant effect on our minds.”

It gives you a walk through nature

CALM AND HEALING ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTER

An important activity that takes place in the center is Forest Meditation. This is distinct from the traditional meditation system of controlling thoughts or concentrating the awareness on some particular point. Forest Meditation, on the other hand, focuses on immersing oneself in silence and the ambiance of the forest without making any extra effort.

Another beautiful activity here is sky gazing. This involves having a gaze at the swaying canopy above and the ever-changing sky. “This uncommon view offers a new perspective as well as deep relaxation,” said the officer.

Upon entering this forest, there are several self-explanatory signboards, explaining the activities in a simple language. It instructs you to leave behind your phones, camera, or any other distraction and also resist talking if people move in groups. For forest meditation and sky-gazing exercise, tree platforms have also been created. The healing center also maintains a register in which visitors can share their experiences.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Renewable Energy
India Must Double Renewable Energy Addition to 50 GW Annually to Hit 2030 Goal, Says S&P Global - Details Inside
THDC-resized
THDC India Commissions Nation’s First Variable Speed Pumped Storage Unit at Tehri, Marks Historic Milestone in Renewable Energy - All Details Mentioned Here
Prakash Punj, Patna Sahib
Beautification Work Completed at Prakash Punj, Patna Sahib: A New Landmark for Sikh Heritage & Tourism
Indian Railways
Indian Railways Strengthens Ticketing System with Digital Overhaul & Anti-BOT Measures - Know More
WCL Western Coalfield
WCL Achieves Record Profit Before Tax of Rs. 4,376 Crore in FY 2024–25, All Details Inside
Bihar vegetables
Historic: Bihar Exports Vegetables to Dubai for the First Time: Minister Prem Kumar Flags Off Consignment
Indian Police Services IPS Officer
3 IPS Officers Transferred in Madhya Pradesh Police Department Reshuffle; Priyanka Shukla Made AIG, Bhopal Police HQ
ICAS Service
Ministry of Finance Notifies New Indian Civil Accounts Service Recruitment Rules, 2025 - Here is All You Need To Know
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
Monika Singh’s Life Beyond the Bureaucracy | Video Interview 
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Divyanshu Pal Nagar IFS
5 Years, 5 Mains, 4 Interviews: How Divyanshu Pal Nagar Stumbled in CSE, Triumphed in IFS - A Lesson for Every Aspirant
Divyanshu Pal Nagar’s inspiring five-year UPSC journey shows how perseverance, disciplined self-study,...
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
Social Media
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
Topper Couple Alert: Shubham Kumar, Priyangi Mehta’s Wedding Grabs Spotlight in Bihar
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Renewable Energy
India Must Double Renewable Energy Addition to 50 GW Annually to Hit 2030 Goal, Says S&P Global - Details Inside
THDC-resized
THDC India Commissions Nation’s First Variable Speed Pumped Storage Unit at Tehri, Marks Historic Milestone in Renewable Energy - All Details Mentioned Here
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT