a sustainable travel guide · paithani. himroo products are mostly produced on jacquard looms and...

Vol 2, Issue 8

Responsibly & Sustainably

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Community Run ConseRvation initiative—mangalajodi eCotouRism

BRinging mangRoves BaCk to life in east godavaRi in andhRa PRadesh

maheshganj estate Balakhana—a heRitage homestay in RuRal Bengal

RainfoRest RetReat at mojo Plantation

Woven tRails thRough hydeRaBad

A SuStAinAble trAvel Guide

toP PlaCes to visit in nePal

• Meet the artisans...• experience their work and learn...• Bond with the coMMunity... • experience local culture...• stay in a typical rural hoMe...• contriBute to environMent, choose an eco resort...• conserve wildlife, Biodiversity... Be a ResPonsiBle touRist!

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ARTICLE

he land of Nizams, Hyderabad is a fascinating treat for lovers of history,

culture, textiles, architecture and finely crafted jewels. From age old Kalamkari paintings to the beautifully crafted Kondapalli Dolls, Andhra Pradesh boasts of an eclectic range of arts and crafts.

Take a curated walk around the textile gallery of Chowmahalla Palace which showcases the garments and textiles used by the Nizams and their families. Visit a studio established to promote the rich textile heritage of India. The studio employs more than 400 handloom weavers in many different states of India to produce intricate design pieces from several varieties of natural, handwoven yarns of Tussar and mulbury silks.

Meet the force behind a Handloom weaver owned and managed social enterprise. The core idea behind this initiative is to enable equitable and sustainable livelihoods for handloom weaver communities, especially women, by linking them with contemporary markets through enhanced incomes, ownership, knowledge and skills. It seeks to build an alternative paradigm with ethical

business practices, fair wages to weavers and revival of traditional designs and art, starting with Ikat.

See an octogenarian as she goes about instructing her class of weavers on the nearly extinct technique of himroo weaving. She has been credited with single-handedly reviving Persian brocades, most significantly the Mashru, Himroo, Jamavar and Paithani. Himroo products are mostly produced on Jacquard looms and the fabric is an extra-weft weaving technique employing a mixture of silk, cotton and silver or gold threads. The patterns carry floral motifs with intricate geometric borders. In her effort to resurrect forgotten weaves, she has also set up a loom for Telia Rumal, an oil-coated fabric that was highly prized in ancient Hyderabad. Today there are very few remaining weavers of the Telia Rumal and Suraiya Hasan’s work in this craft has been a significant step in reviving it.

Kalamakari Paintings is one of the many distinguished art forms of the region which involves the art of painting fabrics by using pen and is exclusively found in the Machilipatnam and Srikalahasti areas of the state. Inspired

by the Persian patterns and motifs, the art form of Kalamkari usually showcases the stories of mythological figures and deities and uses natural dyes and colors.

Renowned for its handlooms, Hyderabad is most famous for its Pochampally Ikat style of saris and dress-materials adorned with delicate and distinctive designs. Pay a visit to the Pochampally Handloom Park where you can the watch the exquisite Pochampally Ikat sarees come to life and marvel at the intricate craftsmanship of the weavers. Explore in detail the precision and artistry that goes into making of Ikat fabrics through the various stages of production including Ikat dyeing. Try your hands at the traditional hand looms and indulge yourself with some of the most beautiful pieces of Pochampally Ikat that you can take back home.

Come indulge in a rich, diverse cultural journey, complete with historical context, wrapped with local interactions and cuisine with breakaway. A journey which filled with new friendships, fonder appreciation and understanding on Indian textiles and memories worth a thousand counts.

http://www.break-away.in/

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woven trails through hyderabad

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Most of the urban people look for a getaway that takes them away from

all the stresses and strains of urban life. The Rainforest Retreat located on a certified organic spice farm Mojo Plantation in Kodagu district of Karnataka about 10 kms north-west of Madikeri town is best choice for this. The Rainforest Retreat is an award winning eco-lodge that practices sustainable tourism and emphasizes environmental awareness. There are no televisions and telephones in the rooms and WiFi is available only in some parts of the property.

The Rainforest Retreat caters to environmentally conscious

and intellectually curious travelers and families looking for a natural holiday experience. Special educational

packages are available for student and farmers groups. The cottages are of eco-friendly design and construction, and run on solar energy. The delicious and wholesome meals are prepared using bio-gas from the gobar-gas plant.

The cottages have been specially designed with natural beauty and comfort in mind. They are set in a lush green surrounding of bamboo, banana, coffee and orange plants and encircled by a crystal clear stream. All the cottages are powered by eco-friendly solar lighting. Tented accommodation is also available.

The organic plantation, on which the Retreat is set,

resembles a forest more than a farm. Coffee, fruits, vegetables and many spices are grown in this manner on the farm. The terrain, of the plantation and beyond, is hilly and forests surround the farm and the valleys have perennial streams and are rich with abundant plant and animal diversity.

The Rainforest Retreat organizes and hosts workshops and educational programs with

rainforest retreat at Mojo plantation

emphasis on organic farming, sustainable living, rainforest ecology and biodiversity conservation for students and special interest groups.

The Rainforest Retreat regularly host programs for school students from different parts of India. Children are the future so it is essential that they are well informed about a variety of interconnected issues concerning food security, sustainable agriculture, GM crops, health and environmental damage caused by agro-toxins, use of alternate energy and the need to protect the environment.

Sujata and Anurag, the couple behind the Plantation and the Retreat has research and teaching experience. A large part of the workshops take place on the field, where the students get to work with their hands and really learn about these topics by observing and seeing for themselves. This provides a unique, lively platform

for discussions and exchange of ideas.

A typical five-day program would include an introduction to the biodiversity of the Western Ghats, where the Rainforest Retreat is located. The various activities around the plantation include tea-picking, planting seeds, harvesting produce or helping in the organic garden. There is also a guided treks and walks around the area, where

they experience and learn about the biodiversity.

The days at the Retreat are filled with lively discussions, guided tours of the farm, treks into the surrounding forests and bird watching expeditions. At night, travellers can look forward to night walks, discussions around a bonfire and then, of course, falling asleep to the sounds of nature.

http://www.rainforestours.com/


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magine watching the birds go about their daily business while you lounge back in

a planter’s chair on a sunlight speckled verandah of an 18th century French style mansion set in the lush green gardens of a rural Bengal Estate. This is exactly what’s on offer at the 17-acre Balakhana Estate in Bengal’s Maheshganj. Balakhana belonged to the Palchoudhuri family since 1875 and is a heritage homestay today with five rooms available for guests. If you want some activity in between vegetating on the verandah, guided nature walks and boating are on offer.

On the road to Maheshganj, the lush greenery and evocative names of the Bengal countryside— Boinchi, Samudragarh, Dhatrigram—do not prepare guests for Balakhana. The house is not visible either from the road or the gate. As one progresses along the driveway, it gradually comes into view through the foliage. Instead of the double or triple storey bulk of a typical British Indian zamindarbari, the clean classical lines of a single-storey European villa come as a surprise. The elegant fascade conceals

within its walls 12,000 square feet of living space, with a verandah that stretches 2,000 square feet.

The verandah is the centre of life in Balakhana. It provides the best view of the 17-acre estate and its antique recliners, planter’s chairs and marble-topped table provide the most comfortable setting to experience the estate’s extensive bird life, including its two resident geese.

Balakhana is self-contained. The guests consume fruits, vegetables and milk from the estate. The latter produces fresh cream of a thickness, colour and taste that would cause indigestion to many

city dwellers. For entertainment, there are billiards, a library, walks around the estate, boating in the nearby river and stargazing through clear skies. The house and its lifestyle, offers an opportunity to return to a slower life and savour its simple pleasures.

The food maybe the biggest draw at Balakhana with the kitchen serving Bengali, English and Continental fare made of produce from the grounds. The Estate has 30 date palms, from which jaggery is made every year. Guests, who are at Balakhana in the winter months, can see the process of tapping and the boiling

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of the date syrup. However, guests get to enjoy the prepared ‘gur’ throughout the year at Balakhana.

Since food is an important part of the experience, it is not surprising that great care goes into the preparation of the meals. Most of the ingredients, in keeping with the ethos of the slow food and local food movements, come from the Estate grounds. No chemical fertilisers are used; instead dung manure, compost and mustard-cake are employed to help the yields. The Estate has its own cows, ensuring fresh unadulterated milk. This focus on organic farming also ensures employment opportunities for the local population.

Inside, Balakhana offers what would call “solid comfort”. Bedrooms are enormous with ceilings more than 20 ft high and designed for natural cooling. The entire house is filled with beautiful mahogany furniture and if one so desires, one can sleep on Savis’s bed which is reached after climbing a flight of four steps. Balakhana being a heritage homestay, there is no provision for room service.

Balakhana is a home and much of the charm of staying there is the experience of being at home in a family. And like in all families, consideration for each other is the essence of a pleasant stay. Peace and quiet amid nature is the very stuff of Balakhana.

Owners of tea gardens and manufacturing companies, the Palchoudhuris of Nadia are a lineage of enterprising and technically gifted individuals, early aviators, avid gardeners, philanthropists with a history of public service. They embody values that are more and more

improbable in this world of concrete, glass and speed, but all the more to be cherished and shared by staying awhile in Balakhana.

Maheshganj has a tropical wet and dry climate and the best time to visit the city is from November to March. This is a good time to visit and take in the warmth of the fireplace in the living room and bonfire outdoors. Balakhana is shut to visitors after the Easter weekend, till end of June, re-opening 1st of July, as the rains set in and the ambient is a little cooler.

However, if one were to venture out of Balakhana, spiritual solace is at Mayapur (4 km away) or Kalna (35 km away). For shopping trip, the fabled saris of Phulia/Santipur are 30 km away while the equally famous clay dolls and sweets of Krishnagar are 12 km distant.

How to reach: You can go by road via Kona Expressway/ Golden Quadrilateral/ State Highway. Or take Jessore Road and hit NH-34. Look out for old red pillars to Balakhana. There are also trains with AC chair cars from Kolkata and Sealdah stations like Hazarduari Express and Bhagirathi Express. Daily local EMU trains ply hourly from Sealdah to Krishnagar.

https://www.balakhana.com/

Maheshganj estate balakhana—a heritage hoMestay in rural bengal


andicrafts are an integral part of the Gujarat. One can see the reflection of

Gujarat’s diversity through its art and crafts collection. Each and every district of Gujarat specialises in a different art form. Handicrafts of Gujarat are a beautiful amalgamation of stitches, colours, patterns and embroidery. From colourful tie-dye to sophisticated wooden antiques, there is no dearth of opulent handicrafts options in Gujarat. People who are having a keen interest in handicrafts should take a tour to the Gujarat.

Embroidery type like ‘Patola’, ‘Rabari’, ‘Mutwa’ and ‘Soof’ are the pride of Gujarat. Each and every item is made to perfection by the renowned artisans and craftsmen of Gujarat. Traditional artisans in tribal areas dye, weave, embroider and print some of

the Gujarat’s finest textiles. Warli painting, Rabari embroidery, Pithora paintings and Rogan painting are the exquisite works made by the tribes of Gujarat.

Gujarat is famous for its classy thread work. ‘Zari’ industry based in Surat and ‘Kathi’ embroidery of Kutch are the best examples of thread works. Zari embroidery is one of the oldest handicraft forms of Gujarat. Surat in Gujarat is the largest producer of Zari sarees and Zari made-ups like cantile, laces, ribbons, borders, trims, fringes, edges and cords.

Bandhani or Bandhej is another famous speciality of Gujarat. This basic tie-dye work is available in various textiles like cotton, georgette and chiffon. Bandhani have found maximum application in sarees, salwars, kurtas and other forms of dress materials.

Bandhani or tie-dye products are best produced in Jamnagar

and Kutch region of Gujarat. One can see glimpses of Gujarati culture in the dress materials made of tie-dye technique. These garments are available in many patterns and each one of them has a different.

Gujarat specialises in the art of beadwork on clothes as it enhances its appeal. Beads are used to create hanging chaklas, artefacts, necklaces, bangles, earrings, ornaments, motifs, patterns and torans. Most native beadwork is created by the tribal community of Dahod, Vadodara and Panchmahals regions.

Woodwork and furniture from Surat, Kutch and Saurashtra; Minakari furniture from Rajkot and Sankheda furniture are simply the best. In Gujarat, one can find hand-carved exotic wood furniture of every style. Even inlay work using coloured wood, horns and even commercially viable options

handicrafts of gujarat

like plastic are used in artifacts, wooden plaques.

Gujarat, the oldest block printing centre in the world, is still the major producer of block prints. Twinkling stars in the clear sky, patterns of abstracts and dense forest with beautiful colour combination are amongst the known block printing patterns. Kutch, Ahmedabad and Jamnagar are important center.

Embroidery work of Gujarat turns out to be the top on the shopping list of every tourist who are visiting the state. The unique combination of pattern, stitches, thread, shapes and colour makes one embroidery looks apart from the other.

Figures and toys made of clay and terracotta are an essential part of Gujarati pottery. Clay figures and toys like horses, cows, bulls and buffaloes are like the watermark of Gujarati art style.

Nothing can beat the quality of leather that one can find in Gujarat. Items made of leather that are famous in Gujarat are footwear, purses, mirror frames and many other articles. All the leather products in Gujarat are embellished with embroidery, bright tassels and mirror work. Leather objects are mostly made by the people of Meghwal community.

Applique is one of the oldest and unique forms of Gujarat’s craft that is created by different patches and patterns. Multiple patterns together create a jigsaw that makes the fabric look more attractive and vibrant. One can see this graceful form of art quilts, wall hangings, household products and apparels. Patchwork in vivid colors, using scrap and waste material is done by Bharwad women to make items such as quilts, awnings and camel saddle cover. They are found in Saurashtra, Banaskantha, Patan and Kutch.

Rogan painting is crafted by the Khatris of the Kutch region. Rogan painting captures the essence of India. Rogan, a speciality of Niruna village, near Bhuj, is a unique technique by which cloth is decorated with an intricate, embossed and lacquer-work pattern. The art form is available in the form of wall hangings, tablecloth, curtains, sarees and skirt borders.

Warli Painting is a tribal art done by the tribes nestled in the border area of Gujarat. Through these paintings, tribes express their beliefs, traditions and customs. The whims and moods of tribal life make for interesting themes, which is why Warli paintings are much

more than designs on walls they are authentic depictions of a way of life.

Rabari embroidery is practiced by semi-nomadic Lohana community people in Banni. The objects that Lohana community embroiders highlight significant events, rites and values of their lives. One can see the use of Rabari embroidery in garments, wall hangings, purses, pillows and Kothalo, the dowry sacks.

Gujarat is a treasure trove of art and craft. The state is a paradise for those who are keen on shopping traditional handicraft products like clothes, kitchen utensils, silverware, purses, wooden frames, etc. The designs carved meticulously on various handcrafted items bear a powerful imprint of the old tradition. There is something special about handicrafts of Gujarat that they are expressive, unique and beautiful.

http://www.gujarattourism.comH

GujaratTourism


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Travelling is a way to rejuvenate your mind and body with new experiences.

From every trip you take, you bring back a bag full of memories and experiences, but do you ever think of what all do you leave behind? Almost everyone aspires to travel around the world, to see different places, to meet different people, to interact with cultures and to learn something different every time. But all this comes at a price and it’s not monetary. Most of us tend to ignore our responsibilities as travellers and leave behind problems and issues for the locals to deal with. Here are some tips for being a responsible traveller:

Read in detail, about the place you are visiting

It is always sensible to read about the place you are going to visit. Almost everyone reads about the key attractions at a destination. You must also take out a little time to read about the culture in that region, the people, the key environmental issues and problems they are facing and pack your bags and clothing accordingly.

Opting for eco-friendly accommodation

When travelling, try to book environment friendly accommodation. In the recent times, we have seen a number of hotels and accommodations shifting towards sustainable methods in order to preserve the environment around them. While planning your stay, it is advised to go for a sustainable accommodation that puts in effort to preserve the environment. Also, hotels that serve organic or pesticide-free food options will not just be good for the environment but for you as well.

Interact with the local community

The locals are the ones who have spent their entire lives in that region and thus their habits and daily routines are closely related to the region. Take some time to interact with the locals and follow their lifestyle. Try their food and understand their daily life routines and problems. Most importantly, listen to the stories they want to share. Try to take part in some local activity.

Take steps to reduce your Carbon footprintAny responsible traveller understands how important it is to reduce their carbon footprint while traveling. Now, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint but the chief amongst those will be to minimize transport related emissions by using public transport wherever possible, to carry minimum packaging with your luggage and proper disposal of wastes.

Make your travel plastic-freeIt’s a well established fact that plastic has been clogging our planet. In your next trip, do your bit to stay away from plastic as much as possible by carrying your own reusable jute bags and non-plastic water bottles.

Do not throw trash in tourist placeNo matter how beautiful the place is, if there is garbage, it is unpleasant to look at. Respect destinations by keeping your trash in your bag or pocket. By doing this small act, you are not just doing service to the destination, but also to other travellers visiting the place.

how to be a responsible traveller!

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Bringing your own refillable water bottleBased on demand, a million plastic bottles are being produced every minute. By 2050, there would be more plastic in the ocean than there are fish. Plastic is consumed by fish too, which are consumed by us. Not to mention, plastic bottles leach chemicals in the water. Using a refillable water bottle is a more sustainable way to stay hydrated when traveling.

Always save waterWater is no more a privilege that we can spend without thinking twice. It’s an asset to be used cautiously and judiciously. Take steps to reduce water wastage. Take shorter showers. Ask for a daily change of sheets only if necessary. Choose a hotel which follows sustainable practices instead of luxury hotels which can spend up to thousands litres of water daily.

Volunteer for social causesWhile you are travelling you are often treated as an outsider who would not help the local community. Volunteering with the local community to solve problems not only gives you a way to interact with the community but it also gives you a sense of satisfaction by doing

your bit for the area you visited. You are sure to make some really good friends when you choose to volunteer.

Save the powerConserve water and electricity whenever you can. The energy used to supply these most probably comes from fossil fuels. Less electricity means less fossil fuel burned and less carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Doing this step all the time adds up and creates a big difference in the long-term.

Ask before you clickPhotography goes hand in hand with travel and gives us a chance to create amazing long lasting memories. As a responsible traveller, make sure that the memories you are making are not leaving any sore spots in someone’s mind. Always ask for permission before clicking a photograph of a stranger and make sure they are comfortable with you doing so. Same goes for sacred places as it might be

against the guidelines to capture some holistic places in a camera.

Do not disturb or feed animalsNever feed animals or leave food scraps. Feeding wildlife damages an animal’s health, alters natural behaviors and

exposes them to predators and other dangers. Just leave them as they are or observe them from a distance.

Purchase local productsBy purchasing local products, you are supporting the local community, especially its artisans and craftsmen and their families. Outsiders who bring in products and services usually spend what they earn outside too. When you support local businesses, money is circulated within the same area, boosting economic activity inside instead of outside.

Share and promote your experiencesWhen you have finished your trip, share your experiences and inspire others to visit. By doing this, you are spreading good vibes and boosting economic growth in that area. If you loved your experience, this is an easy and simple way of giving back to the community in that area.

Educate OthersLast but certainly not the least is to educate others. Wisdom and knowledge are things meant to be shared. Be responsible and educate your fellow travellers and friends about responsible travelling and how to be one. Share your experiences and inspire others to take a step towards creating a more responsible travel ecosystem.

Finally, the perfect traveler is one who feels respect for the people of the destination country, their culture, their customs and their natural environment. Finding out where you are traveling is a good way to start and it is not enough to know what to visit and what to do, it is to know what rules and regulations there may be to respect them, especially in those countries where there is a big difference culture.


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he jackals of Kala Dungar is a unique relationship of man and animal coexistence

in the arid and unforgiving landscape of Kachchh. Here, it is a case of jackals whom are known to be carnivorous, have been taught to survive on vegetarian food by a community of people over many generations. This practice made sure that there is a healthy population of jackals in the Kala Dungar area which is near the Greater Rann of Kachchh, who even at the worst of times are assured of at least subsistence level food.

As the molten sun sets in the Great Rann of Kachchh, a pack of hungry jackals trudge their way up the crumbling hills of Kala Dungar. Then they wait patiently in the scrub jungles on the hilltop, as if waiting for a cue. Suddenly a mysterious chant fills the air and a

priest descends from the nearby temple, carrying a large vessel. The jackals slowly advance towards a clearing as the priest empties the vessel on a raised platform there. The moment he turns his back, the hungry pack pounces on the food and laps it up in no time. The surprise is that the food that was offered to them was rice and dal cooked with a generous helping of jaggery.

It’s not just the jackals that partake of this hospitality. Much before the jackals arrive, the feeding area is abuzz with activity: there are bulbuls and doves that are jostling with each other and there are mongooses and dogs that are scurrying about. But the moment the jackals arrive, everyone retreats, giving the jackals the first right to feast except for the argumentative crows. The leftovers are then polished off by the birds and the other animals.

In the night, even porcupines are seen sharing the spoils after the jackals have had their fill.

Kala Dungar is the tallest hill in the whole of Kachchh, rising 1400 feet above sea level. It offers the most panoramic view of the Great Rann of Kachchh, almost 180 degrees of it, right up to the India and Pakistan border.

The centuries-old feeding tradition in these hills has had a positive impact on the conservation of wildlife. The highest density of jackals in the world can be found in Kala Dungar. In around 20 sq. kms of scrub jungle, you have as many as 150 jackals. Of these, around 20 to 30 come to partake of the vegetarian offering. The others must be strictly non-vegetarian.

It’s not known whether the same group keeps coming back to the temple or they take turns. But one thing is clearly noticed, they prefer

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protection of jackals in kala dungar

to come under the cover of night. Because the average number that come to eat during the day is 4 to 5, whereas the number swells to 20 to 25 by night.

Jackals are omnivorous. They feed on small preys like jungle rats, hedgehogs and dung beetle, as also on carcasses. The vegetarian part of their diet comprises ripe fruit that falls on the ground. In the absence of such fruit-bearing trees in the scrub jungles of Kala Dungar, the rice-dal-jaggery combo meal must be considered a good substitute.

The Kala Dungar is famous for a 400-year-old Dattatreya temple. But till this date, there has never been a single recorded incident of these wild jackals harming any human near the temple area. Many travellers visit the Kala Dungar every noon to witness this unnatural event. You can also enjoy the local folk music.

Another famous attraction on the way to Kala Dungar is the magnetic field where one can stop their vehicle at a specified spot and witness the vehicle moving against the gravitational force, up the slope at a speed of 20 km/hr.

In the hills of Kala Dungar, man shares food with jackals. And jackals in turn share it with

bulbuls, doves, mongooses and porcupines. When resources are scarce, sharing is a way of life. In fact, it is the only way of life.

How to get there: Kala Dungar is around 90 kms from Bhuj. As there is no public transport available to reach there, you will have to make arrangements for a vehicle at Bhuj itself.

Where to stay: There is only a dormitory at Kala Dungar, with very basic amenities and a langar that serves basic vegetarian food. But you cannot book it over the phone. So you will have to take a chance. Alternatively you can stay in Bhuj and leave for Kala Dungar in the wee hours of the morning. The first feeding is at 9 am and the night feeding is at 6 pm. You can witness both and drive back to Bhuj the same day.


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he Chilika Lake in Odisha is famous for its rich bio-diversity and for it being an important

habitat for birds, especially of the migratory variety. Over 100 villages are spread across the banks of the massive lake. It is a unique opportunity to experience Ecotourism, just 75 kms from Bhubaneswar on the banks of Chilika Lake.

A community owned and managed wildlife conservation venture, Mangalajodi Ecotourism is your destination to get a peep into Mother Nature. Mangalajodi is a village located on the northern banks of Chilika Lake in Odisha,

This bird’s paradise hosts more than 300,000 birds in its marshy waters, especially in winters and make the place lively. Mangalajodi also represents one of its kind ecosystems, whose protection is epitomised by a sustainable lifestyle that is at a brink of extinction in urban settings.

At the heart of Managalajodi, Ecotourism is the democratic

notion that fragile ecosystems like these belong to everyone and their protection is important. Any deterioration of these will affect us directly or indirectly.

Mangalajodi Ecotourism aims to inspire, inform and enable communities to turn ecosystems into a sustainable source of livelihood through well managed low impact tourism instead of exploiting them for short term profits. Conservation of wetland ecosystem and its avifauna is the key of the whole initiative.

From October until February/March birds arrive and leave later. These marshy wetlands filled with water lilies play host to a wide variety of birds. Around 150 migratory species and 40 resident species, including Cormorants, Storks, Ibises, Gulls, Terns, Warblers and Trushes are found here. While the thousands of birds here go about feeding or flying in formation nonchalantly now, it was not always the case.

Almost all villagers of Mangalajodi were once upon a time engaged in poaching. However, in the mid-1990s conservationists at Wild Orissa started working with the fisher folk and poachers here. After considerable effort and educational initiatives they were able to bring about a change of heart and practices. Community-run conservation initiatives were set up and the poachers became protectors, actively patrolling the waters to keep their erstwhile prey safe.

As part of the larger conservation initiative, Mangalajodi Ecotourism was launched in 2010 to create local employment and provide economic incentives through ecotourism services. It offers simple cottage and dormitory accommodation and local meals. More importantly, it offers unique guided bird watching tours from hand sailing country boats. The poachers of a few years ago are now birding guides.

TWake up bright and early for

a long ride in a local boat and admire thousands and thousands of bird species that literally carpet the lake. The guides are very knowledgeable about the habits of each species. Accompany a local as he patrols the marshes for any hunting activity. Make sure you bring binoculars and the fanciest camera you can find. Stay in basic but comfortable dorms or cottages and wake up with the sound of bird song. Mangalajodi is a manufacturing hub for local boats. Visit a workshop to see how they are crafted. Feast on the simple but delicious local cuisine that is dominated by fish.

Local villagers manage and run the conservation initiative ensuring they benefit the most from the protection of bird species that travel to Mangalajodi or live here. Locally made hand sailing country boats are used

for the bird watching tours and ethical bird watching is practiced, which means not approaching nests or using recorded birdcalls. You may find a complete unique experience here.

How to reach: Mangalajodi is approx. 75 kms from Bhubaneswar

en route to Chennai on NH-5. Bhubaneswar is well connected by air and train. Nearest Bus stand is Chandpur Tangi. Nearest Railway stations are Kalupada Ghat and Mukateswar.

http://www.mangalajodi ecotourism.com/

coMMunity run conservation initiative—Mangalajodi ecotourisM

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ehind the laidback atmosphere of Puducherry a quiet revolution has been

developing for some years now. It is slowly but surely emerging as a cultural and culinary centre, with a handful of grassroots organisations emerging with a focus on preserving and promoting local arts, crafts and the city’s unique culinary heritage. Quite a few of these have emerged either directly out of Auroville, a community living experiment on the outskirts of the city or due to its impact on the people starting these organisations. Mohanam falls in the latter category.

Mohanam Cultural Centre is the work and realisation of a group of young men from the surrounding villages of Auroville, the universal city located near Puducherry. Young Tamil men who work in Auroville, from different villages created the heritage centre to be a bridge between the traditional and the modern, the old and the young, between what is happening in Auroville and what is unfolding in the villages around.

Mohanam Cultural Centre began in 2001 under the Auroville

Village Action Trust in a rural village, which is located in the Kaluveli/Auroville Bioregion in coastal Tamil Nadu, South India.

The aim of Mohanam is to provide the young generation of the villages with an opportunity for extracurricular activities, which help them to find identity and connection to their own original culture, which faces tremendous change in the globalization process. Mohanam believes that art and cultural expression is a key medium for promoting the positive impact youth in the world.

Moongil Garden Guest House is a place for learning through observation and participation. If you are not already involved in a volunteer work, contribute each day to assist in the work being done at the Auroville Bamboo Centre. You will also be assigned a plant, which will be your responsibility to nurture and grow for the duration of your stay.

The community centre, established in one of the last traditional houses of the village, is offering creative arts classes on the weekends for school going children. It is actively uncovering remnants of original performing

and craft skills in the local villages surrounding the International Community Project of Auroville. The purpose of these activities is to keep alive this intangible heritage through youthful interest, classes, studies and special programs.

Mohanam conducts cultural events and festivals throughout the year. During Pongal, the special festival of the Tamil people, the Centre conducts cultural and traditional events for the villagers around Auroville. Mohanam hopes that these events will stimulate similar happenings in other surrounding villages and inspire the youth not to give up their traditional culture.

The centre organises classes and workshops on topics as varied as kolam drawing, the traditional Tamil style of rangoli, to Silabam, a martial art. It also offers tours of the village of Sanjeevinagar as well as a homestay programme where guests stay in village homes.Mohanam’s activities reflect the richness, diversity and legend of Tamil culture along with other contemporary cultures constantly evolving and offering new possibilities.

http://www.mohanam.org/

BMohanaM village heritage centre


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ucked away from the hustle and bustle of modern-day civilization, Meemure has everything

a recluse would want—near isolation and zero mobile or data connectivity to the outside world. Meemure is a village close to the Knuckles Mountain Range in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, located 324m above sea level and hidden amongst the mountains. It has got some fabulous natural pools and waterfalls, great mountains and rolling expanses of paddy.

The only way to reach Meemure is from the ‘Hunnasgiriya’ mountain, which is a part of the Knuckles range, approximately 50 kms from Kandy. It is a difficult trail of 33 kms with amazing views. The village itself receives abundant water in the form of waterfalls that have their sources in the evergreen forests of the Knuckles. East of the village lies the pyramid shaped Lakegala mountain, while the west

is dominated by the picturesque Knuckles range. The northern boundary of Meemure borders a forest which runs to the Pitawala Pathana grassland and the south is bounded by Heen River.

Pack-bulls used to be the solitary method of transport to Meemure until 2004. Herds of cattle carried sacks full of goods and equipment to the village. Due to the fertility and prosperity of the village; the

pack-bulls were only used to carry salt, cloths, tobacco and calcium bicarbonate. But with the invasion of modern technology, the trails have been widened to allow three wheelers, jeeps and small trucks.

The village has a population of approximately 400 with about 125 families. The design of village is one of the main identities of Meemure. The villagers build eco-friendly homes using clay and illuk (spear grass) which lasts for over three decades. But the most unique aspect of their buildings is their boundary walls made of quartz.

Before cardamom cultivation was banned in 1982 due to the Forest Preservation Act, Meemure villagers earned their bread by harvesting the spice. After this they shifted to chena cultivation, paddy cultivation and pepper cultivation.

Nowadays some of the peasants earn their living by taking care of jaggery palms, which produce toddy and treacle. The village has one tiny village shop where the locals buy necessities such as salt and sugar. There is no cable telephone or mobile network signal. The village does have CDMA telephone services, though,

Tto some extent. The villagers do not have direct mail delivery to the village and have to journey to Thapal Junction each day to exchange incoming and outgoing post with the postman.

The beauty and the innocent, non-technological lifestyle of the villagers have brought heavy attention of the outsiders and now the village is at the brim of changing into a tourist village, a transition from the centuries old unexplored and uninterrupted rural land. Travel companies are introducing attractive tailor-made packages to Meemure. Few inhabitants are now carrying out tasks such as tour guides, cooks and guards for the tourists.

Meemure is becoming a place visited by outsiders owing to its exceptional natural beauty and unsoiled traditional Sri Lankan styles. This is exactly for travelers seeking to taste the village lifestyle and some rugged walk experience, away from urban lives

and sophisticated technologies. Some may prefer to have a luxurious stay in a hotel while sightseeing the village, where most of the others prefer camping experience. Explore and feel the nature and village life at Meemure.

How to reach: Meemure is approximately a 7-hour drive from Colombo, in an off-road vehicle. The main route is via

Kandy city which is 116 kms away from Colombo. Then Kandy-Mahiyangana Road (A26) towards to Mahiyangana. Turn to Left from Hunnasgiriya Junction which is 35 kms away from Kandy. Then go towards the Loolwatte Village which is 15 kms away from Hunnasgiriya Junction. Then from Loolwatte it is about another 15 kms to reach the Meemure Village.

village bound nature experience in MeeMure

things to do and see in MeeMure

• Nawarathna waterfall tour

• Hike to Lakegala

• Suriya Arana water world tour

• Nitro Cave exploratory

• Heen Ganga river exploratory

• Local village lifestyle

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tips you should keep in Mind to have a happy and green trek

Disturbed with the monotony of routine life and cloistered office

cubicles, young professionals across India are looking for travel experiences which bring them closer to nature and allow them to disconnect for a while.

While jungle treks and hiking through dense forests may sound like the ultimate adventure, many of us often fail to acknowledge the underlying risks and dangers, and the fact that our misguided travel exploits often come at the cost of disturbing these self-containing ecosystems.

After all, we are the ones entering forested areas—the home of many other species and it is vital that we behave responsibly. How we behave in such scenarios plays a significant role in maintaining nature’s equilibrium that can otherwise be threatened by our ignorance.

Having said that, this should not hold us back from exploring forest and connecting with nature. Instead, we should prepare well in advance and a little more research will always come in handy.

Here are some tried-and-tested tips and useful advice that you should keep in mind while venturing out into the wild:

Seek official permission from the forest officials before planning trips to endangered zones.

Many deaths have occurred when people decided to overlook the need for such permits and ventured about on their own. In such a scenario, the risks could range from an encounter with a wild animal, forest fires to even an extremely perilous route that gets you lost.

Always remember that these officials have spent years in the forests and definitely know better. Look out for Forest Department-assisted tours or treks, which will take you through routes that may not just be safe, but also picturesque.

Travel light and carry only what is necessary.

Keep in mind that forests are full of wild animals and it is essential to pay heed to the food items that are being carried. While biscuits are fine, steer clear of chips and other ‘crunchy’ snacks that make noise. It is preferable that you opt out of carrying fruits as these can easily attract the attention of monkeys. The idea is to carry only those food items that make as little noise as possible.

Pay attention to what you wear.

Treks in the jungle should be carried out without attracting any attention—which is the safer option for both you and the animals. It is primarily for this reason that forest officers, who operate in dense forests, wear clothing with a camouflage pattern on it. So,

avoid wearing bright colours that will stand out and instead choose darker hues that will blend in well.

NOTE: This tip must especially not be ignored because bright-coloured attire confuses wild birds, who can mistake you for a mate, upsetting all your plans.

Avoid perfumes or strong-scented fragrances.

This point is particularly important because wild animals inherently have a robust sense of smell—it helps them survive in the wild. Strong, flowery scents can attract honeybees and you surely do not want to turn your forest trek into a rather painful affair.

The scent can also attract larger animals who are curious or worse, turn aggressive due to the foreign smells.

Dress well to avoid leeches.

A forest is not a place to flaunt expensive outfits. It houses countless creepy-crawlies, so please make sure you are appropriately dressed and well-covered. A pair of good trekking shoes is definitely a must.

Make sure your arms and legs are covered and you occasionally check your body for ticks, mites and leeches.

Last but not least, please respect the nature and its wild animals, and do not leave behind any garbage. We hope these tips help you and you have an enjoyable trip.


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ith the mushrooming of travel agencies and tourism offices, a trip to anywhere today is a

packaged deal. No doubt it saves time and effort to chalk out one’s own itinerary, but it does stunt the possibility of exploring a new place beyond the cut-and-dried tourist attractions. And this is where Journeys With Meaning (JWM) come in. The venture, started by a group of young people, provides travellers with the opportunity to not only explore natural beauty but also embark on an inward journey of sorts. There are those trips that you take to forget the monotony of your daily life and then there are those you take to discover a place. JWM aims to give people a taste of earth-friendly living, conscious travel and social entrepreneurship.

The group, which was formed in 2007 by Vinod Sreedhar, takes a wayfarer to a variety of places, from the chilly heights of

Kashmir and Ladakh to nature’s abundance in the Northeast. This initiative was started to restore the balance of human connect with nature. Trips organized by the small team are worlds apart from typical tourist packages. These emphasise on engaging travellers with local communities and their issues at a much deeper level.

Youths today are becoming more interested in travel. For those jaded with their routine life, JWM offers a different outlook of the places they visit. What began as a oneman team is now taking the online world by storm, with social networking sites and blogs being its only means of advertisement. People come to JWM mainly through these forums, while friends of those who have already been on such trips also register their interest.

For trotters with a wider palate, the Northeast, in particular, has turned out to be a new world to explore. Through journeys

to Kaziranga in Assam to Mawlynnong and the sacred groves in Meghalaya, people can interact with not only local residents but also those NGOs that seek to preserve the fragile ecological balance of these places.

The vision is to inspire a transformational shift in people’s beliefs about sustainable living and to encourage them to adopt a lifestyle that protects and conserves Earth’s biodiversity—a lifestyle that works not just for people, but for the planet as well.

During the latest trip, a group of young travellers from places like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and New Delhi were taken to Meghalaya. Instead of going to popular tourist spots in Shillong, they visited ecologically significant sites like the Living Root Bridges and the coal mines of Jaintia Hills, which pose

environmental hazards to the region’s forest cover. Other out-of-theway places frequented by these travellers included the 14 kms long David Scott trail on the outskirts of Shillong.

During the trips, which can last up to 10 days, facilitators also arrange feedback sessions, debates and group discussions to make the journeys more meaningful. JWM do not tell people what to think but encourage them to think for themselves. Conversations about the sustainability of environmentally significant places form an important aspect of these trips.

These influential discussions stay with the travellers even after they return to their routine lives, encouraging many to plan another trip, another dialogue with Mother Nature.

The trip that made to Meghalaya, travellers came to know how the local communities have made efforts to protect natural wonders like the Living Root Bridges. The social structure of the Khasis is something that one can take a leaf out of. Through the visit to this region, they learnt a lot about the tribal administrative bodies and it was indeed a very enriching experience.

These trips are beneficial for the local economy. Since these open up prospects for easy money,

native people do not hesitate to accommodate tourist demands.

Giving paramount importance to protecting the environment, JWM teams up with wildlife NGO Aaranyak on trips to Kaziranga.

In the future, the team plans to include developmental projects that may continue for even a year. The idea is to take various groups to a particular place to fulfil a specific mission. Apart from visiting places, travellers will also get a chance to interact with the local populace and discuss their problems. Such initiatives will also involve collaboration with forest departments and agencies working with various communities.

Call it an alternative travel or mobile social welfare, JWM is a pathbreaking initiative in the way it has combined the love of travel with the urge to serve society. What started off as a two-trip

project has now expanded to about six journeys a year.

In the days to come, itineraries in the Northeast will also include Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. These will be exclusive deals for those willing to stop poring into travel guides and looking for pictures of popular tourist spots. These trips promise to take you beyond the usual, with focus on environmental and communal engagement.

While people across the world have for long been embarking on travels with a heightened sense of awareness. Sreedhar foresees that India’s youth will soon opt for conscious travel experiences. Travel is a deeply transformative experience if one goes beyond the desire to simply see the sights and capture them using a camera.

http://www.journeyswith meaning.org/

a journey with Meaning

• An informal and friendly group atmosphere

• Fun activities like cycling, sightseeing and trekking through spectacular landscapes

• Inspiring face-to-face interactions with people and organisations, working on local culture and issues

• Learning more about the ‘web of life’ and the positive roles we can play within it

• Film screenings and stimulating discussions

• Great local food, music and culture

• Hands-on photography lessons while watching wildlife in the heart of nature

travelling for change

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Directorate of Tourism Govt. of AssamStation Road, Guwahati-781001,Assam, IndiaPhone: +91-361-2547102/ 25427 Fax: +91-361-2547102Email: [email protected] Website: www.directortourism.assam.gov.in

COME, EXPLORE THE WILD SIDE OF ASSAM AND WE ASSURE, NOT ONLY YOUR HEARTBEAT WILL INCREASE BUT YOUR EYES WILL ALSO ENJOY THE PICTURESQUE BEAUTY!

W O N D E R F U L W I L D L I F E

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ith its inconspicuous location behind the long row of handicrafts stalls that line Norzin

Lam from the Three Offering Goddesses traffic circle on down, Tarayana Rural Crafts may look like any other retail shop. But its mission is to help the women and children of Bhutan’s most marginalized communities to become self-reliant.

All of the crafts for sale at Tarayana Rural Crafts—natural-dye silk scarves, exquisite kira dresses, wooden dragon masks painted in brilliant colors, woven bangchu baskets, paper diaries, long burning candles—are handmade by craftspeople living in villages as many as four days’ walk from the nearest road.

The shop sponsors women and men under the aegis of its mother organization, Tarayana Foundation, giving them all the necessities: looms, carving tools, raw materials, work sheds where they gather to work in circles, even early learning centers so that their young children can be educated while the parents create.

Tarayana also practices fair trade and encourages craftspeople to develop new products, giving workshops where

participants acquire new skills and learn how to revive traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts. The artisans are given further opportunities to showcase their wares at the Tarayana Rural Crafts retail store and during the annual Tarayana May Fair in Thimphu.

What’s more, the prices are fair. Unlike the virtually indistinguishable crafts stalls from which it can be difficult to choose, Tarayana Rural Crafts does not pay guide commissions. So guides do not bring their tourists here. This shop instead takes no cut, ensuring that the maximum possible revenue goes to the creators. These are goods in the truest sense—things you’ll feel happy to purchase.

Tarayana Rural Crafts is an initiative of the Tarayana Foundation, established to support rural artisans in product development and marketing of craft products. The enterprise was born out of the Foundation’s livelihood interventions in the most remote villages of Bhutan, as a means of sustainable and fair income generation options for the rural poor.

Tarayana Rural Crafts has been providing services to the

artisans and Self Help Groups (SHGs) through skills development training, financial literacy, product enhancement through improved techniques and marketing of products.More than 60 SHGs and 100 artisans from all over the country are engaged in organized production of about 8 different product categories with more than 30 distinct product lines.

The overall objective of the Tarayana Rural Crafts is the promotion of the welfare of the rural artisans and their skills, providing them better facilities for self-sustained income and generation of employment; thereby uplifting the economic opportunity of the artisans in Bhutan.

The Tarayana Rural Crafts outlets are currently located at the following locations:

1. The Tarayana Rural Crafts Center, Norzin Lam, Thimphu

2. The Folk Heritage Museum Handcraft Shop, Kawangjangsa, Thimphu

3. Paro International Airport, Paro

https://www.facebook.com/TarayanaRuralCrafts

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tarayana rural crafts in bhutan

HASTPA: HimAlAyAn AdvenTure

SPorTS & TouriSm PromoTion

ASSociATion

Get on to adventurous biking tour that creates a positive impact not only on the environment but also on the lives of villagers in the Himalayas with HASTPA.

www.hastpa.org

State: Himachal Pradesh

HeriTAGe villAGe oF PrAGPur

Pragpur well deserves its heritage village tag. With its winding cobbled lane, mud-plastered walls and slate-roofed houses, this village offers what most destinations can only dream.

State: Himachal Pradesh

AmAZinG FAmily WHo SAved HundredS oF Wild AnimAlS

Dr. Prakash Amte and his wife Dr. Mandakini Amte have an unusual way of living. They have set up a wild animal asylum in their courtyard, spent decades changing the lives of the local community in Hemalkasa, protecting tribals, local fauna..,

www.anandwan.in/amte-animal-ark/

State: maharashtra

culTure AAnGAn: HomeSTAyS, rurAl TouriSm And more...Expereince traditional Indian culture, can experience rural India, off the beaten track but with homely comforts. Stay in remote villages, experience the local hospitality, encourge langushing art and culture.www.cultureaangan.comStates: rajasthan, maharashtra

communiTy AcTion HelPed revive 200 AcreS oF deForeSTed lAnd!

From establishing a seed bank, to building and maintaing ponds, the many steps that helped revive the deforested Orans in Rajasthan.Afforestation of over 200 thousand trees in the area has benefitted rural women the most.State: Alwar district, rajasthan

communiTy TouriSm in THe rAnn oF kuTcH

Kuldip Gadhvi takes you into the remotest villages with a song in his lips. Grab the opportunity to catch up any herder on the way who invites you to visit his cattle camp or a lift to some random villagers in the middle of the road and end up making friends and sharing cup of tea/lunch...www.kutchadventuresindia.com

State: Gujarat

conServATion oF THe environmenT in leH And lAdAkH

Ladakh Ecological Development Group-LEDeG has consistently worked towards serving the underprivileged people and addresses the environmental and cultural issues.

www.ledeg.org

State: Jammu & Kashmir

nurTurinG AncienT TrAdiTionSVillage Ways nurtures the traditions and indigenous knowledge that has helped communities live in harmony with nature over generations. Guides are trained to value this knowledge.www.villageways.com State: Uttarakhand

norTH indiA

WeST indiA

SUSTAINABLE ToUrS To INdIA norTHeAST indiA

A TribAl HAmleT converTed inTo An eco-TouriSm deSTinATion

In Odisha’s scenic Koraput Valley, a quiet transformation is underway. Yugabrata Kar and his community-centric ecotourism initiative, Desia, are bringing the benefits of sustainable livelihoods to the local tribes living in the valley.www.desiakoraput.comState: odisha

exPlorinG nAyA, benGAl’S villAGe oF SinGinG PAinTerS

An intricate tapestry of music and visual art is what makes Naya more than just a village in West Bengal. Thanks to this initiative of an UN accredited NGO banglanatak dot com, Patachitra from Naya have found a place in renowned art galleries across the world.

State: West bengal

JHArkHAnd villAGe WAllS

dePicTinG TribAl liFe by

mAdHubAni murAlS

The walls of houses in Jharkhand’s

(East India) Chandidih village are proud galleries displaying Madhubani masterpieces woven

with everyday stories, thanks to

Udbhav, a community art project.

https://www.facebook.com/udbhavproject/

State: Jharkhand

THe mAn WHo WenT on To SAve An enTire bird SAncTuAry

Chilika today is the finest bird sanctuary in India, and among the richest ecosystems in the world. This unique, half-saltwater, half-freshwater lake in Odisha is 70 km in length and 30 km in breadth. The highlight of the project being training of poachers to guides.www.wildorissa.org State: odisha

SouTH indiA

THe Green PATH eco reSorT

Organic farming, taking people back to the roots, these are some of the visions achieved by Mr Jayaram. After successfully converting what used to be barren land in 1998 into an organic farm of great biodiversity, the Green Path (a complete Eco boutique hotel) and a Eco Stay in Coorg, Mr Jayaram now runs Organic State, a complete store of organic products and restaurants. www.thegreenpath.in

State: karnataka

SuSTAinAble TouriSm in A TeA eSTATe bunGAloW SAved indiGenouS TribeS From STArvATion

Set up with the purpose of supporting the adivasis, Priyadarshini Tea Eastate was never about profits. The tribal people found a safe haven as workers of the tea plantation.State: Wayanad district, kerala

kArunA FArm AT kodAikAnAlLocated on a hilltop overlooking Kodaikanal Valley (Tamil Nadu, South India), Karuna Farm harmonises with nature taking care of body, mind and spirit without compromising on basic amenities and comfort.www.karunafarm.inState: Tamil nadu

eAST indiA

environmenT conServATion by Greener PASTureS

Greener Pastures is a small sustainable travel company based in Northeast India which promotes responsible tours and adventures to exotic places, with a prime focus on uplifting local communities and safeguarding the environment.www.thegreenerpastures.comState: Assam

TouriSm To encourAGe

conServATion oF endAnGered

TurTleS

Turtles are an endangered species, and protecting the eggs

become an important necessity.

After several years of struggle and

taking requisite permissions from

the forest department, Pradeep

started the Sea Turtle Protection

Force (STPF).

www.vspca.org

State: vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

The above list is indicative and not exhaustive. Please visit www.travelresponsibly.info for more information.

kAbAni communiTy TouriSm & Service

Kabani Community Tourism & Service is a non-profit community association that has been promoting a model that benefits local communities and attempting to reduce negative impact. They promote community tourism initiatives to create additional incomes for famers.www.kabanitour.com

State: kerala

A villAGe HomeSTAy

Dewalokam is an organic, self-reliant farm in the Idukki district, which also offers organic interactions with the local community. The staff belong to the village, which benefits from the enterprise... www.dewalokam.in

State: kerala

communiTy-bASed TouriSm: THe

mounTAin SHePHerdS iniTiATive

A community-owned and operated ecotourism company

that grew out of the famous Nanda Devi Campaign for cultural

survival and sustainable livelihoods.

Their guides hail from communities

all over the upper reaches of the

Himalayas...

www.mountainshepherds.com

State: Uttarakhand

THiS younG TeAm iS enAblinG TouriSTS To Turn inTo cHAnGe mAkerS in THe HimAlAyASAvail an opportunity to meet the villagers and work for community good with these young group of travel enthusiasts...www.devilonwheels.comState: Himachal Pradesh

rAWlA JoJAWAr - reSPonSible TouriSm

Rawla Jojawar is created after lovingly renovating the old fort which has always been home to a stunningly beautiful boutique hotel. All the staff are locals and their employment has helped them not to relocate.State: rajasthan

JAiPur virASAT FoundATion

The Jaipur Virasat Foundation (JVF) works with and for traditional artists in Rajasthan. As traditional forms of patronage disappear, and modern forms of entertainment supersede traditional ones, JVF seeks to provide livelihood opportunities for struggling artists.

www.jaipurvirasatfoundation.org

State: rajasthan

THe cleAneST villAGe in ASiA

Mawlynnong claims to be the Cleanest Village in Asia. The road leading up to it has some of the most panoramic and breathtaking views in the country.The residents of this village have learnt to live at harmony with Mother Nature.

State: meghalaya

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Occupying less than 0.1% of the planet’s surface, mangroves are

one of Earth’s most valuable and threatened ecosystems. Largely misunderstood and undervalued, mangroves are often mistaken for actual forests instead of being acknowledged as the completely independent, biodiversity-rich ecological units that they constitute. Their proactive benefits vary from being the ‘lungs of cities’ to ‘shields during cyclones’—protecting people, infrastructure and the ecologically fragile coastlines. In due recognition of the environmental and economic value that mangroves provide, 26th July came to be observed as the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems.

Known for its unique biological diversity, the Godavari delta,

located on the eastern coast of the Indian peninsula, is an intrinsic component of India’s coastal and marine heritage. The complex mesh of roots and the thick canopy of lush green branches spanning over acres and acres of inter-tidal zones are a sight to behold. The East Godavari River Estuarine Ecosystem (EGREE) encompassing Godavari mangroves is the second largest mangrove area, after the famous Sunderbans in West Bengal. Adding to the rich and diverse flora and fauna in the region, the mangroves are also of crucial economic value to the local communities as well as major production sectors.

The protective covers offered by the mangroves save the shipping and port sectors from having to invest in the construction of other protective

structures at huge costs. Mangroves play a crucial role as protectors as they shield the coastal cities from cyclones. The impact of the October 2014 cyclone, Hudhud that caused extensive damage to coastal cities including Vishakhapatnam could have been reduced had there been a flourishing mangrove cover.

For instance, Hope Island, an island accessible only by boat off the Kakinada coast, is known for its natural breakwater spread over 1000 hectares that has protected the coast during cyclones. The mangroves are also a huge source of alternative income for fishermen in the region who largely depend on the ecosystem for their sustenance. Fishing constitutes a main source of livelihood for a large part of the population in the region. During

bringing Mangroves back to life in east godavari in andhra pradesh

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the seasonal ban, when fishing in the high seas are prohibited or during a phase of steady drop in the catch, the many spawning grounds of fish offered by the mangroves are a good alternative source.

The Government of India has been implementing a mainstreaming biodiversity project since 2011, with funding from the Global Environment Facility and UNDP as the lead agency. The EGREE Foundation, set up under this Project, in partnership with the Forest Department of Andhra Pradesh has initiated several efforts to mainstream marine and coastal biodiversity conservation into production sectors and create awareness among the various communities and stakeholders in the region about the crucial role played by mangroves. One of the primary responsibilities adopted by the Foundation is to generate alternative livelihoods for local communities. These include programmes promoting eco-friendly tourism, and mangrove apiculture, wherein women beneficiaries from the community are being trained in bee-keeping to provide additional income. The apiculture initiative will

be a triple victory—for the community, for the mangroves and will also make a significant contribution to the declining bee population.

Nature lovers in the region have been making a beeline towards the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, which is popular for its picturesque location as well as for the sighting of rare flora and fauna. Located on the backwaters of the Bay of Bengal, the sanctuary is home to numerous endangered species including the fishing cat, otter, jackal, sea turtle, sea gull, pelican, stork, heron, snipes, flamingos among others. Moreover, as many as 236 species of birds are spotted in and around the sanctuary with over 60,000 water birds visiting the sanctuary every year. Hope Island and Sacramento Island located in the mangrove region are two important nesting sites for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles.

A visit to the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique experience with the unconventional fauna and flora, aquariums, sighting points for mudskippers, fishing cats and otters. The board walks at the sanctuary are a unique feature. The second longest boardwalk in Asia, the Coringa Sanctuary boardwalk takes the tourists right into the heart of the dense mangrove forests. Local community members, who have been trained in mangrove interpretation, act as nature guides and help the tourists connect with nature by helping them identify the various species in the sanctuary, while also increasing awareness about each of their significance.

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at a distance of about 165 km from Visakhapatnam and hence, it is a perfect weekend getaway to spend quality time with your family, friends and relatives amidst the hush of nature. It is a perfect place where you can enjoy cruising on the backwaters while witnessing colourful birds chirping all around mangrove trees.

Even though Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is mostly visited by photographers and nature lovers, it is also a perfect weekend destination for picnic goers. The presence of beautiful forests, soothing streams, colourful species of birds and butterflies and a poised atmosphere certainly makes it alluring for every kind of tourist and traveller.

As the lifeline for the East Godavari region, the mangroves require utmost protection and for this, under the project, many mangrove plantation activities have been undertaken particularly in the Hope Island. This makes a difference in the lives of communities here while also enhancing awareness about the intrinsic value of mangroves in the region.

How to get there: The best way to reach Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary by air is to take a flight from Visakhapatnam to Rajahmundry Airport and then from there, a cab to the sanctuary. The distance between Rajahmundry Airport and the sanctuary is 70 kms. You can also catch a direct train from Visakhapatnam to Kakinada and then from there you can hire a taxi to reach the sanctuary.

Top places To VisiT in nepal

Bhaktapur In Bhaktapur, one can find enough temples and edifices to mesmerize with their exquisite architecture and art. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is one of the best places to see the excellent architecture and carvings of the temple. Apart from temple hopping, a traveller would like the shopping experience here. Bhaktapur is known for souvenirs, pottery, puppets, masks and cultural handicrafts, which interested the visitors.

Sagarmatha NatioNal parkSagarmatha National Park is as close as you can get to Mount Everest if not attempting a climb. Spread in an area of 1148 sq km, it is home to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest and the other high peaks. It is a ideal destination for trekking in Nepal and offer stunning views of Everest and the Himalayan range. It is also home of Snow Leopard. The diversity in this national park makes it one of the best places to visit in Nepal.

pokhara Sitting beside the scenic lake Phewa, Pokhara is the perfect leisure destination in Nepal. Pokhara is popular as the ‘Gateway to Annapurna Circuit’ and it offers opportunity for paragliding like no destination can. The river Seti that flanks Pokhara also give the adventure lovers the chance to enjoy thrilling white water river rafting. There are also a number of treks for which this destination in Nepal is the base.

kathmaNduKathmandu and its nearby destination, Thamel are considered ideal base for trekkers and those wanting to enjoy the view of the famous Mount Everest. Kathmandu is also the best place to buy all your trekking and mountain climbing gears. The city is also ideal for pilgrimage tour. The Hindu’s most revered temple, Pashupati Nath is situated here. Buddhist shrines Boudhanath and Swayambhunath are also situated here.

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Travel Responsibly & Sustainably

Over a thousand species are facing extinction, many art forms/folklore are languishing, age old practices and traditions that need preservation and encouragement are now being looked at as “old fashion”. To keep sustenance, preservation and conservation, a lot of efforts are required. Most of these efforts go unnoticed, they don’t get the deserved attention or financial support. And many such projects close down over a period of time.

Travel Responsibly & Sustainably is a consortium that maps such projects from developing nations, creates integrated circuits, promotes them using various avenues of sales and marketing. We hope that with tourists’ visits to such projects, will enable them to a better understanding of such projects and create more avenues for revenue generation for those working at the grass root level.

We also are sensitizing potential travelers, specially, well placed business executives to reach out to such projects by way of roadshows and personalized mails.

We also look forward to your suggestions and comments/feedback. We invite your articles, expert opinions. We have a section specially reserved for Industry Leaders. Our email address is [email protected]

Some of the stories that have been encapsulated earlier, are available in our website, www.travelresponsibly.info

a sustainable travel guide · paithani. himroo products are mostly produced on jacquard looms and...

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