‘In Today’s Day and Age, It Is Extremely Important to Connect with Nature’: Amarinder Singh Chopra

By Neha Kirpal

Nestled in the Shivalik foothills at the northern periphery of the State of Punjab, The Kikar Lodge is India’s First Private Forest Reserve spread over 1800 acres of forest. Its nine comfortable dream luxury tents, five suites and 26 rooms and cottages are sure to spoil you for choice.

Surrounded by lush and tranquil forested area, the resort’s outdoor adventure activities include ziplining (South East Asia’s largest zip tour), quad-biking, rappelling and horse riding. With more than 180 species of birds in the forest surrounding the Lodge, one has the rare opportunity of spotting wild animals and birds in their natural habitat. Guests can also enjoy various outdoor sports such as cricket, volleyball, badminton, dart board, basketball and water polo. There is also horse riding, buffalo cart rides or tractor rides if requested in advance.

In this exclusive interview, Amarinder Singh Chopra, Chief Executive Officer of The Kikar Lodge tells us more about what sets the resort apart from the others, outdoor activities that guests can indulge in at the property and popular sightseeing options around it.

Kikar Lodge is India’s first private forest reserve spread over 1,800 acres of forest. Tell us more about what sets it apart from the others.
Being India’s first private forest reserve puts a lot of responsibility on our shoulders to maintain the forest along with its flora and fauna. What sets us apart from other properties is that not only does the guest get a larger playground to enjoy nature at its best, but it connects one with nature and everything associated with it. In today’s day and age, it is extremely important to connect with nature, and at The Kikar Lodge we give you that experience. We are also a popular wedding destination, and have done over 50-60 lovely weddings at the lodge.

What are some of the outdoor adventure activities that guests can indulge in at the resort?
Because of the large playground available to us, we have the luxury to take guests into the forest via quad bikes, horseback safaris, night safaris and for the ones who should like to digest their food and get into shape, we have a guided forest walk along with our in-house naturalist. All our forest excursions are guided by our trained staff, and no one is allowed to venture into the forest area alone. Apart from this, we have our zip line tour which is just short of two kilometres long broken into five zips. The rush of zipping over the forest canopy is something I would recommend to all.

What are some of the interesting sightseeing options around the property?
Punjab, and more so, the district of Rupnagar, has a lot to offer to guests—with the Gurudwara Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib to the Virasat-e-Khalsa museum, Bhakra-Nangal Dam, the Ropar Wetland for birding of migratory birds and excavations of the Indus Valley Civilisation at Ropar city.

How has the pandemic been for the hotel?
The pandemic has been very bad for the entire hospitality industry. It has made us rethink our strategies and think out of the box.

What are your plans for the future?
Because of the pandemic, we have ventured into homestays and are also looking at opening a boutique resort on the Satluj riverfront.

Also tell our readers a little about your homestay, Sunderban Cottages, at Mashobra.
Sundarban Cottages is a boutique homestay at Mashobra in the Shimla hills. With two cottages surrounded by thick forests on three sides and a breathtaking view of the Shimla valley in front, it has the most spectacular sunsets from the balcony. Equipped with their own kitchenettes, the cottages are a unit for a couple with a sofa-cum-bed for kids too.