Guards of the Wilderness
SOME OF INDIA’S UPSCALE safari properties are among the global leaders in the glamping and nature tourism segments. But a consensus has emerged among owners that their scope of responsibility goes beyond the walls of their individual properties. “As plush as a lodge might be, it cannot exist if the surrounding area is not up to the mark or is showing signs of deterioration,” says Shoba Mohan, founder of RARE India (rareindia.com), a curated consortium of boutique hotels.
REVERSING THE TREND
Admittedly, there have been cases of tokenism where PR activities and hollow CSR initiatives have been loosely translated into), for instance, has worked for the reintroduction of the critically endangered barasingha (swamp deer) from Kanha National Park () to Satpura National Park (). This project was funded by Madhya Pradesh Tiger Foundation Society (), and included initiatives such as providing clean drinking water to forest guards and ensuring food supply during the recent lockdown.
