Hospitality training for youth from forest-dwelling communities on the periphery of Satpura Tiger Reserve
By Aly Rashid, Executive Director, Jehan Numa Palace Pvt. Ltd. and RTSOI Convener for the State of Madhya Pradesh
Aly Rashid is a trained naturalist, conservationist, and author of Tales from the Bush: A Peek into the World of Satpura. As Executive Director at Jehan Numa Palace Pvt. Ltd., he leads the company’s wildlife, nature-based and experiential tourism verticals—Jehan Numa Wilderness and Just Nature Expeditions—while also overseeing marketing at a group level.
He played a pivotal role in establishing Reni Pani Jungle Lodge and Bori Safari Lodge, both known for their strong conservation ethos and immersive wilderness experiences. Through Just Nature Expeditions, Aly curates and leads wildlife journeys across India and abroad.
Actively engaged in conservation, Aly has spearheaded initiatives such as camera trap studies in buffer zones and collaborated on projects like the Caracal Research and Conservation Project in Panna. His ventures also support local communities through education and close partnerships with forest departments and NGOs.
Creating Hospitality Opportunities for Forest-Dwelling Communities
Jehan Numa Hotels, in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Tiger Foundation Society, has curated a vocational training programme for youth from forest-dwelling communities living on the periphery of Satpura Tiger Reserve.
Priority is given to villages that have been voluntarily relocated as part of the relocation programme in tiger reserves.
The six-month industrial training programme provides practical, hands-on experience across key hospitality departments, including Food & Beverage Service, Food & Beverage Production and Housekeeping. Each participant trains in one department for six months and receives a certificate of industrial training on completion, equipping them with practical skills and pathways to employment.
The programme is a CSR initiative of Jehan Numa Hotels, with our CSR funds supporting the payment of a monthly stipend to each trainee. This enables the young participants to earn an income while simultaneously gaining valuable skills and work experience.
We have successfully completed two batches to date and a third to start soon, with seven participants in each batch. In total, 14 young people have graduated, of whom seven have secured permanent employment—four within Jehan Numa Hotels and three with other organisations.
We see this as a long-term community outreach initiative, creating meaningful employment opportunities for communities living alongside our wilderness areas. As Jehan Numa expands into new destinations, our vision is to take this programme with us, extending its reach beyond Satpura and creating skills, livelihoods and stronger connections between responsible tourism and local communities.