Here are the dos and don’ts for travellers to promote sustainable tourism in India. Explore how you can be a part of Sustainable practices while visiting India
India has been the dreamland from time immemorial, ever since diversified cultures, sceneries, and ancient traditions came into being. Everything, from the emerald green backwaters of Kerala to the splendour of the Himalayas. And again in the liveliest streets of Jaipur, is magical. Probably with tourist numbers on the rise and carbon footprint increasing. There is a need to espouse sustainable travel solutions that have never been felt as urgently.
For that reason, sustainable tourism is not a catchphrase. It is imperative for travel that seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment. Also, maximizing benefits brought to local communities. Choices we can make as travellers will either help in protecting the very fragile ecosystems and cultures or degrade them. Here are some do’s and don’ts that will help you steer your way on your journey to make your travels enjoyable yet responsible, hence assuring sustainability in India.
RESPECT CULTURE AND TRADITION
India is a land steeped in history and tradition, and each of these regions offers some unique cultural experiences. Be it exploring remote villages of Rajasthan or joining a festival in Tamil Nadu, due respect toward the local customs and traditions that give character to these communities shall be imperative.
Do: Develop an interest in getting to know the local customs and practices. Join traditional ceremonies, festivals, and rituals where this is possible. Showing respect and an honest interest in the way of life gives you a much more interactive experience, creating a mutual intercultural condition. Buying locally-made handcrafts and souvenirs helps not only to reinforce the local economy. Also, gives you the ability to stay in locally-owned accommodations or to eat at family-run restaurants, and take a little with you from their culture.
Don’t: Be disrespectful of local customs or make fun of them. In particular, respect sacred or religious sites by dressing modestly and being sensitive about taking photographs. And, don’t haggle over goods, especially when that item you are bargaining for could have taken hours to make by some poor local artisan. What seems to be pocket change to you could mean a lot to their livelihood.
GO FOR ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS
Most of these directly relate back to the accommodation one chooses to stay at. Tourism in India is developing very fast. Various types of eco-friendly accommodations do their best to ensure that sustainability does not come at a price: comfort.
Do: Look out for green-certified hotels, lodges, homestays, or ones committed to sustainable practices. But that is not enough; many of such enterprises are powered by renewable energy sources, reducing waste and water conservation. Therefore, one can be sure of having minimal degradation to the environment by supporting such businesses. On the other hand, some activities give people experience in either the local environment or culture. Activities that make this possible include organic farming, safaris related to wildlife conversation, and cultural workshops.
Don’t: Avoid accommodation providers that are known to be bad stewards of the environment. For example, over-consumers of natural resources, inadequate waste managers, or almost wholly ignoring local environmental legislation. For instance, some hotels with wastewater in places where there is not enough of it or don’t look after their waste. These do quite a lot of harm to the environment. It means not only a loss to the environment but also continuing to sustain enterprises that are poorly managed.
MINIMISE PLASTIC REFUSE
Plastic happens to be one of the major environmental issues any nation, and hence India faces. Single-use plastics are an excess that seems to destroy and dirty the country’s natural beauty. From beaches to mountains, because of tourism-driven overconsumption.
Do: Take everywhere with you your personal water bottle. So many businesses across India these days, whether it be a hotel, cafe, or restaurant, have refill stations where you can fill up your bottle safely. Such a simple act helps offset the number of plastic bottles piling up in landfills or, worse, a part of the ocean. Add reusable shopping bags, containers, and cutlery to your pack list. If you don’t want to see the accumulation of single-use plastics during the trip. Most local markets, and even most shops in India, don’t mind doing this for you.
Don’t: Refrain from buying or using single-use plastic items, particularly straws, cutlery, and plastic bags that cannot be readily recycled but contribute to mountains of plastic waste worldwide. Avoid products that are unnecessarily wrapped in plastic as well. Observe around a local market or any other such outlet where products are on sale which are either minimally packed and/or have some environmental consideration. It would also be nice if you don’t litter; plastics alone, but all kinds of trash. Always keep proper waste disposal in mind, and if you are not able to spot a wastebasket, bring the trash along and then dispose of it properly at home.
SUPPORT LOCAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS
India contains much wildlife and natural habitats that are run over by human-induced threats. Among the important pillars of sustainable tourism are the conservation processes, carrying these important ecosystems forward for posterity.
Do: Go to national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other protected areas managed for conservation. Such places many a time undertake initiatives concerning ecological tourism, through which this much-needed opportunity for travellers to witness the wonderful wildlife of India. This also helps inform people about the need for conservation. Some even offer opportunities for tourists to volunteer or make a donation to local conservation projects while funding protection for endangered species and their habitats. Also, in subjective areas, upon visiting them, please follow the advice of the park authorities. For example, going on the right trails and distancing from wild animals at a safe distance to lessen your impact.
Don’t: Conducting activities, or engaging in actions that harm wildlife or destroy their habitats. Examples include photographing animals when scaring them up close for a better picture, feeding wild animals, and littering in natural areas. Avoid patronising ventures or attractions affiliated with the abuse of wildlife. For example, the inability to visit an elephant attraction where rides are offered, as the exploitation normally extends even further to maltreatment.
This means that, insofar as sustainable tourism is concerned, it is less related to the decrease of footprints. Also, the art of travelling in such a way that local communities and the environments where we come as visitors could be treated with respect and sustained.
By taking good care to follow these do’s and don’ts, hopefully, your trip to India. This will become memorable and also help in the conservation of this beautiful country for future generations to benefit from. So, let us also begin with the pledge for responsible travel and sustainable tourism. So, that our beautiful world remains to be enjoyed by us without its destruction.