By News Karnataka
Copyright newskarnataka
Bengaluru: Nestled in the wilderness of Karnataka, Bandipur National Park is celebrated as one of India’s most iconic tiger reserves and forest ecosystems. Yet, hidden behind its lush canopy and thriving wildlife lies a silent struggle — the children of tribal communities and forest guards, who often grow up with little or no access to structured education.
In a landmark initiative this year, Aarohan Socio-Cultural Forum has partnered with Bandipur National Park to bridge this gap, focusing on education for forgotten children who remain outside the mainstream system.
Addressing a silent struggle
For decades, the children of Bandipur’s forest guards and tribal families have battled formidable challenges in accessing schooling. Many schools in the region suffer from poor infrastructure, inadequate teaching resources, and a shortage of books. In some cases, children walk miles through dense forest areas just to reach their nearest classroom.
This lack of access has long perpetuated a cycle of disadvantage, leaving young minds deprived of opportunities to grow and thrive.
Aarohan steps in
Through this new partnership, Aarohan is working to provide educational support, learning materials, mentorship, and infrastructure improvements to schools and children living in and around Bandipur.
The initiative reflects Aarohan’s long-standing belief that uplifting a child uplifts an entire community. By enabling children in remote forest zones to access education, the organisation hopes to transform not just individual futures, but the social fabric of the communities they belong to.
A promise for tomorrow
While the obstacles remain significant, Aarohan’s programme has already created awareness and hope. The campaign is designed to deliver:
Distribution of books and stationery for children in tribal hamlets.
Mentorship sessions and interactive workshops for holistic development.
Advocacy for better infrastructure and teacher availability at rural schools.
Special focus on children of forest guards, whose parents dedicate their lives to conserving Bandipur yet struggle to secure quality education for their families.
The partnership marks the beginning of a long-term journey — one where tradition meets service, and where every step forward brings new light to forgotten corners of society.
Reaffirming Aarohan’s mission
Aarohan Socio-Cultural Forum has consistently stood for initiatives that combine heritage, service, and social upliftment. By choosing Bandipur as the focus of its education drive, the organisation is not only addressing a pressing social issue but also honouring the people who form the backbone of forest conservation.
The initiative reiterates Aarohan’s guiding principle: education is the most powerful tool of empowerment.
Reinforcing the cause
The message of Aarohan’s collaboration with Bandipur National Park was echoed again in a reaffirmation of its mission statement this month. The organisation emphasised once more the gravity of challenges faced by children in tribal belts and forest zones, highlighting the same concerns of infrastructure collapse, distance barriers, and scarcity of educational resources.
The renewed messaging underscored that education is not a privilege, but a right, and Aarohan is committed to ensuring geography does not become a barrier to knowledge.
As the Forum noted: “When we uplift a child, we uplift a community.” This vision is not only being articulated but also actively implemented on the ground.
Bandipur National Park is more than a sanctuary for tigers and wildlife — it is also home to human communities whose struggles are often unseen. Aarohan’s partnership with Bandipur represents a powerful step in ensuring that these forgotten children of the forests are not forgotten by society.
The initiative serves as a reminder that sustainable conservation must include the well-being of the people who share their lives with the forests — and education remains the strongest bridge to building that future.
