echies and IT professionals have found the best way to de-stress themselves, by going back to Nature and learning more about it.

The Naturalists' training programme launched by Jungle Lodges and Resorts Limited, pioneers of eco-tourism in Karnataka for Nature lovers from diverse fields, is gaining popularity among IT professionals, said Vinay Luthra, Managing Director, JLR.

The three-day residential training programme launched at Bannerghatta Nature Camp early this year has already turned IT professionals from Motorola, Hewlwtt-Packard, Wipro [Get Quote] and Infosys [Get Quote] into amateur naturalists, he said.

The programme aims at spreading awareness and love for wildlife and includes classroom as well as field sessions,
slide shows and lectures on flora and fauna, Luthra said.

"Recently, we received over 100 enquiries from young software professionals for enrolling themselves for the training programme," he said.

JLR is keen to take the programme to the next level: making people skilled naturalists.

With the concept of 'cruise tourism' gaining momentum, JLR has bought a cruise boat from Kerala [Images], which can accomodate 25 to 30 people. The boat is stationed at JLR's Devbagh beach resort in Karwar, he said.

Tourists are offered a three to six-hour cruise either on the river Kali or to the islands in Arabian Sea at Karwar.

Corporates are utilising the cruise for their brainstorming sessions and conferences, Luthra said.

Meanwhile, JLR is launching its silver jubilee property on the fringe of Bhadra Tiger Reserve in Chikmagalur by this
month end. "As part of the first phase, ten twin-bed cottages are ready, ten more cottages will be added in the second
phase by end of 2006", he said.

A five-hour drive from Bangalore, this eco-resort will have 'water sports activities including still water kayaking,
sailing and motorboat safaris on the Lakkavalli reservoir as its USP', besides wild life safaris, trekking and mountain
biking, Luthra said.

As part of its silver jubilee celebrations, JLR is offering a 25 percent discount on all its ten properties from June 15 to Sep 30. "The discount on Bhadra will, however, continue till March 2006", Luthra added.

For reservations, please contact

Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd
Second Floor
Shrungar Shopping Centre
M G Road
Bangalore -- 560 001

e-mail: reservation@junglelodges.com, info@junglelodges.com

Phones: (080) 2559 7021; 2559 7024; 2559 7025