1 Celebrate Trees at Lchang Nang Retreat Ladakh
Literally meaning ‘the house of trees’, Lchang Nang Retreat lives up to its name. The 25-acre retreat sits in the famed Nubra Valley of Ladakh, draping the otherwise barren lands in abundant greens. Picture bright yellow marigolds, dainty pink apricot flowers, soaring Siberian elm trees, and many more.
However, it’s not just the landscaping that pays ode to nature. A canopied path lined with solar lamps leads you to an outdoor tea station, a herb garden, and 17 cottages—each of which is built in the local architectural style. This means concrete is given a miss; instead, river rocks, mud, and poplar wood make up the structures. While the rooms come with private sit-outs—some of which have hammocks tied to centuriesold elm trees—solar-powered grids provide electricity and LED lights illumination. Up to 95 per cent of the energy generated is through solar panels and battery banks.
The retreat’s crowning glory is its hydration facilities. Here, potable water sourced directly from glaciers is available on tap. The same snowmelt is also used to irrigate the retreat’s expansive lands. Use of plastic has been kept to a minimum, as is the resort’s overall carbon footprint. All the garbage is segregated, and almost all the waste generated is recycled. Moreover, the vegetables and herbs used in the kitchens are grown organically at the in-house farms.
Besides the arhcitecture, many of the experiences organised by the property also facilitate a union with nature. Take the Farm Table, for instance. The experience begins with a walk through a local village, a tour of the in-house Tsas-Spang farms coupled with a lowdown on the region’s many sustainable practices, and ends with a community lunch table with views of the Karakoram range. Lessons in conscious travel can also be found on a guided walk to the Old House Museum, which is maintained by a local women’s group. lchangnang.com
2 Explore the Wonders of God’s Own Country in Thenmala | Kerala
Kerala has long been the torchbearer of responsible tourism in India. From supporting women-run restaurants to developing environment-friendly tourism products, the state has paved the way for others to follow. Thenmala, for instance, has 10 eco-tourism spots spanning the hill ranges of Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, and Kollam districts. There’s something for everybody, from trekking to jungle camps, adventure zones, and leisure zones for families with young children. Thenmala was even selected by the World Tourism Organisation as a premier eco-friendly project. keralatourism.org
3 Experience Guilt-free Luxury at ITC Grand Chola | Tamil Nadu
Accredited by USGBC (United States Green Building Council), ITC Grand Chola is the world’s largest hotel and commercial building to achieve the LEED Zero Carbon Certification. Drawing from ITC Hotels’ Responsible Luxury philosophy, this Chennaibased hotel utilises self-owned wind farms and solar energy; and conserves and recycles water with water-harvesting structures, treating effluents, and increasing green cover to reduce evaporation. A programmable heating ventilation and air conditioning control has been installed to increase electrical efficiency by approximately 10 per cent—a first in India. The hotel has also achieved Drinking Water Positive Status with Sunya Aqua V 2.0 by utilising in-house wind farms to produce water locally. itchotels.com
4 Spot the Leopard at Bera Safari Lodge Rajasthan
Nestled in the Aravallis, Bera Safari Lodge has long cemented its position as one of India’s most popular leopard-sighting destinations. The five cottages spread over 10 acres open to a 360° view of the nearby Liloda Hill, where leopards roam freely and about 30 bird species can also be seen. Tracker Shatrunjay Pratap defies the elusive reputation of the big cat. The passionate photographer and ardent conservationist tracks the movements and records the life stories of these animals. Pratap and his team have worked towards eliminating mining in the region, allowing the animals to thrive. The resort also organises the Green Munia Bird Photography Tour, focussed on a small bird listed as ‘vulnerable’ in the IUCN red list of threatened species; Rural Village Excursions, to learn more about the local Rabari herdsmen and their relationship with leopards; and Bird Watching at Jawai Dam, where over 150 species of birds offer incredible sightings. berasafarilodge.com
5 Run a Cafe in Spiti Himachal Pradesh
The town of Kaza is the single-most commercial hub in the far-flung Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Other than a few residential pockets, it has a market area that is usually packed with tourists in peak season, from May to September. There are a handful of homestays, restaurants, and shops for all your basic needs. Kaza is where travellers usually base themselves to explore the vast Spiti Valley. Spiti Ecosphere is a pioneering social enterprise that arrived in the region over 20 years ago. They work with locals to enable ecotourism and set up sustainable projects to make
