My father Inder Pratap was introduced to the Kumaon hills in the 1950s, his earliest recollection of this spectacular region an elaborate shikaar. An old spool-reel unearthed from a forgotten trunk revealed a treasure of fascinating moments from another era: of commandeering mahouts and white-turbaned bearahs; family members kitted in their safari best following a full day of jungle sport.

This Raj legacy continued until the 1970s, when hunting in India was finally banned. Yet as it happens, hunters often turn to conservation - their experience of the forest, of an area’s ecology and habitat, can prove invaluable in conservation efforts. For my father - who never hunted - the building blocks for becoming an environmentalist were laid in the time spent in these jungles. Corbett Park’s variety of wildlife provided an endless photographic repertoire. And there were regular Corbett pilgrimages; one even came to be his post-wedding holiday with his new bride during the 1973 launch of Project Tiger!

Born into this tradition, my sister and I too became Corbett pilgrims, surrendering to the thrill of campouts in forest bungalows, tiger tracking on elephant back, long campfire nights with forest guards, and sumptuous picnic lunches surrounded by the wonders of the jungle.

We learned through sight and sound, discussion and debate. That the forest and its inhabitants share complex and invaluable relationships was clear to us; what was not was how much of our forests were doomed to the axe. Years later my father established Jim’s Jungle Retreatin the very village he had visited as a child, to accomplish at least three things: regeneration of vital forest land, support for local villagers dependent on the forest’s fragile resources, and to give our guests the privilege to experience and celebrate the richness of the Indian jungle and all the treasures it holds.