Rannvijay’s wild learning curve

Actor-host Rannvijay Singha meets forest officers, rangers and tribes across India’s national parks to narrate stories behind the safaris

“The idea was not to zipline down a rainforest and high-five a bear cub, but to respect the ecosystem and learn about the people involved in conservation,” says host and actor Rannvijay Singha, about his new show Safari India. The eight episode series on Zee Zest attempts to unravel hidden stories in seven of India’s national parks.

In the first episode, Rannvijay leads viewers into Arunachal Pradesh’s Pakke Tiger Reserve, where rescued Asiatic bear cubs are rehabilitated at the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation. Access to this zone is not easy and Rannvijay is mindful of the opportunity presented to him: “Having hosted shows that are high on adventure, the crews I work with usually take my word since they trust that I know what works. This time, I found myself learning something new in each national park.”

Reflecting on his hike through Pakka’s dense vegetation, he observes, “In Ranthambore, the deciduous and scrub vegetation is such that you get a clear view. But in Pakka, you wouldn’t know if an animal approached you from a few feet away. In a zoo, we watch the animals. But in the wild, we are being watched.”