Whether it’s a large biosphere reserve or a small village where community-based initiatives flourish, India has some splendid eco-friendly destinations. Here are some perfect places away from the urban jungles we all need an escape from every so often.
Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim
Khangchendzonga National Park, which covers almost 30% of the total land of Sikkim in northeast India, was initiated into the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2016. It provides one of the most breathtaking panoramas in the entire world. Along with the imposing Khangcheecndzonga, the third highest mountain in the world, there are spectacular glaciers, lakes, rivers, valleys, caves and plains.
Lahaul Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
Life can be hard in the cold mountain desert of Spiti Valley, where the craggy terrain and unforgiving climate (temperatures can dip to minus 30°C) provide very little means to sustain a livelihood. A few organisations such as Spiti Ecosphere are on a quest to preserve this vulnerable ecosystem by developing sustainable tourism in the region, which also helps in fuelling the local economy.
Thenmala, Kerala
Thenmala, which means Honey Mountain, holds pride of place as the first planned eco-tourism destination in India. It is surrounded by dense evergreen forests, rich in timber and a thriving rubber plantation. The beautiful green hills of Thenmala, nestled in the midst of the Western Ghats, holds many surprises for the traveller. The biodiversity of the region is evident at Butterfly Safari Park, the Deer Rehabilitation Centre and Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary. For the adventurous soul, Thenmala has activities such as biking, rock climbing, hiking, abseiling and camping. On the other hand, the sprawling tea plantations at the nearby Ambanad Hills are ideal for a relaxing stopover.
Mawlynnong Village, Meghalaya
Best known as the cleanest village in Asia, Mawlynnong leads by example. The use of plastic has been banned here and so has smoking. Keeping the spirit of eco-friendliness alive, the streets are lined with bamboo dustbins and, unlike in most parts of India, there’s hardly every any litter to be found. What’s more, many of the guest houses are constructed of bamboo. Composting and nourishing tree plantations are also common practice in the village. The Living Roots Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see structure, is at the neighbouring Riwai Village, which is a short hike from Mawlynnong. The Khasi tribes of Meghalaya created these natural bridges by weaving together the roots of ficus trees.
