“Trail running will save the world.”
It’s something I’ve heard often - on t-shirts, in podcasts, in post-run coffee chats. Said half in jest, half in hope. But if you’ve ever run through a forest trail or scrambled up a rocky hill, you know there’s truth in it. Time in wild places softens you, sharpens you, and wakes you up.

Still, one question keeps coming back: Who’s going to save the trails?

A Forest Under Threat

This thought returned recently when I came across a petition on Jhatka.org about the Jarakabande Kaval Reserve Forest, near Yelahanka in North Bengaluru. If you’ve run, cycled, birdwatched, or walked in the Avalahalli or Jarakabande area, you’ll know how special it is. Red mud trails, scrub forest, peacocks in the brush, and a surprising hush in the middle of a sprawling city.

Now, that patch of green faces two major threats.

The Peripheral Ring Road Project is a proposed 73.5 km, eight-lane highway that would cut through parts of the reserve forest. If implemented, it would affect over 7 hectares of forest, impact six lakes, and lead to the felling of more than 600 trees.

The Tree Park Proposal aims to convert parts of the forest into a landscaped area with concrete walkways and public structures. However, an RTI revealed that the necessary permissions from the Union Ministry were never obtained.

On paper, these proposals may look like progress. On the ground, they risk fragmenting ecosystems and stripping the forest of its wildness.

Petitions Matter. But So Does Presence.

Petitions matter. Protests matter. They show us that people are paying attention, asking questions, and standing up for the spaces they love. The response to Jarakabande is part of a growing shift. Communities are finally showing up to protect what they once assumed someone else would take care of.

But it also made me wonder — why do we only take notice when a place is under threat? What if our relationship with nature didn’t begin in moments of crisis but in everyday presence?

From Awareness to Experience

The most powerful form of conservation doesn’t always start with activism. Sometimes, it begins when you walk the same trail often enough to notice the seasonal changes - the return of a bird, the scent of wet leaves, the way sunlight filters through the trees.

Nature isn’t just something we fight to protect. It’s something we learn to love by spending time with it. You don’t have to be an expert or an environmentalist. You just have to show up.

Why Should Nature Require an Escape?

Why is it that when a long weekend rolls around, many of us rush to book a homestay or drive to the hills for clean air and calm surroundings? We instinctively seek what nature offers — quiet, restoration, and perspective.

But why should this experience require a car, a long drive, or a bank balance? Why can’t we have that feeling closer to where we live?

The fact that forests like Jarakabande exist within city limits is a gift. One that deserves protection, yes, but also participation. These places should be used, explored, and made familiar. They shouldn’t be rare holiday getaways. They should be part of our daily or weekly rhythm.

Where to Begin: Communities That Make Nature Accessible

If you're curious about spending more time outdoors but don’t know where to begin, here are a few Bengaluru-based communities and organisations that make nature more accessible:

• Run With Athlos – Monthly trail runs open to all. No racing. Just mud, miles, and conversation.

• The Naturalist School (TNS) – Guided nature walks in Cubbon Park that explore biodiversity, botany, and nature literacy.

• Birdwatchers’ Field Club of Bangalore – Birding walks across Lalbagh, Hebbal Lake, and other green pockets of the city.

• Bangalore Mountaineering Club – Treks and outdoor getaways for those looking to explore further out.

• BLR Hikes – Day trips around Bengaluru, led by outdoor educator and long-time Athlos user Shreshth Mohan, focused on learning how to navigate and appreciate trail environments.

These aren’t exclusive groups. You don’t need to be a hardcore trekker or runner. You just need to start showing up.

At Athlos, This Is Personal

At Athlos, one of the reasons we started our trail running club wasn’t just because it aligned with our brand as performance wear makers. It was because we believe the outdoors should feel accessible to more people. Trails shouldn’t be distant or intimidating. They should be places of belonging. Places that change how we relate to the world around us and to each other.

If you’re working on something similar or want to collaborate, whether by inviting us to your initiative or building something together, we’d love to talk. We’re always open to ideas and partnerships that bring more people outdoors.

Trails Are Easier to Save When They’ve Been Loved

There’s no one right way to care for a trail. Some people sign petitions. Some write articles. Some take their children for a walk every Sunday and notice a little more each time.

It all counts.

Because trail running might not save the world just yet. But maybe it starts with saving one trail. And maybe that starts with reminding ourselves that peace and wildness aren’t found only in faraway places.

Sometimes, they’re just a few kilometres from home. Waiting to be noticed, waiting to be walked, and waiting to be loved.