Ecotourism Destination: Natural heritage is the most invaluable legacy and the most essential of all the things each generation has the responsibility of bequeathing to the coming generations. Ironically enough, every step of our revolutionary progress is taking a severe toll on the environment, and thus we are endangering life on Earth. Under these circumstances, conserving the environment becomes the need of the hour, and this led nature lovers to pave the way for ecotourism. The central idea of ecotourism is to respect, appreciate, preserve, and promote cultural diversity along with the biodiversity of a place.
The below ecotourism destinations in India do this exactly!
There is no other better destination for ecotourism than a country as diverse and beautiful as India in every aspect, i.e., geography, wildlife, culture, customs, traditions, art, etc. Visit the following ecotourism destinations in India and revel in the unadulterated natural beauty. As a responsible traveler, let your interaction with nature revitalize yourself without causing harm to nature.
Here are the Best Ecotourism Destination in India you must visit:
Thenmala, Kerala:
The sprawling Western Ghats are one of the top 20 biodiversity hotspots in the world, and 40% of these Sahyadri Ranges lie in Kerala! So, this is naturally the first destination that comes to one’s mind when talking about ecotourism in India. Thenmala, a forested village in Kollam district of Kerala, is the first planned ecotourism destination in India. The 10 ecotourism spots of Thenmala lie in the hill ranges of Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, and Kollam districts. You’ll enjoy the stay in tree houses and the scenic boat ride to Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to rare flora and fauna.
The Thenmala Ecotourism Program features three zones — Culture Zone (where you’ll be introduced to the local culture, tradition, and cuisine), Leisure Zone (which offers stunning views of the landscape), Adventure Zone (dedicated for adventurous activities like mountain biking, trekking, rock climbing, rappelling, etc.)
Ecotourism attractions: Deer Rehabilitation Center, Butterfly Safari Park, Musical Dancing Fountain, and Nakshatravanam.
Best time to visit: August to March
Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport
Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve in West Bengal:
Sundarbans is a part of the world’s largest Sundarban delta formed by the confluence of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra rivers. Sundarbans mangroves, one of its two ecoregions (the other one is Sundarbans freshwater swamp forests), is the largest mangrove forest in the world. Famous as the residence of the Royal Bengal Tiger, Sundarban National Park and 54 small deltaic islands are also inhabited by numerous species of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna.
This eco-friendly destination in India is home to endangered species like the estuarine crocodile, Gangetic dolphin, king crabs, hawksbill sea turtles, river terrapins, etc. Follow the mangrove trail at Burirdabri, enjoy views of the jungle from the tallest Bonnie camp watch tower, and don’t miss the canopy walk at Dobanki! Book affordable last-minute flights to India any time of the year only with Indian Eagle!
Ecotourism attractions: Nature Interpretation Centers in Sajnekhali and Bhagabatpore, and an eco-museum in Sudarikati.
Best time to visit: October to March
Nearest Airport: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport
Mawlynnong, Meghalaya:
Mawlynnong village situated in the East Khasi Hill district of Meghalaya is famous for its natural and cultural diversity. Hailed as the ‘Cleanest village in Asia’ in 2003, eco-friendly measures implemented by self-sustaining ethnic communities (such as the ban on smoking and the use of plastic) are an inspiration for community-based ecotourism in India. This beautiful village embraced by evergreen forests is home to many animal and bird species, breathtaking waterfalls, flowery gardens, living root bridges, natural caves, and is referred to as “God’s Own Garden.”
The unmissable things to do in this ecotourism destination in India are staying in a bamboo guesthouse, visiting the balancing rocks (a huge boulder perfectly resting on a smaller one), trekking to the living root bridges and crossing them, climbing the Sky Walk to catch the bird’s eye view of this green village and the Bangladesh plains.
Other attractions: Mawlynnong waterfalls and the Church of Epiphany.
Best time to visit: June to September
Nearest Airport: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport
Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh:
One of the popular ecofriendly destinations in India is the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Himachal Pradesh. This untouched park in the Western Himalayan ranges lies at an altitude of 1500 – 6000 m above the sea level. Spread across four picturesque valleys, namely Sainj, Tirthan, Jiwa Nal, and Parvati Valley, GHNP hosts a variety of alpine flora and fauna. As much as 1,000 plant species, including ayurvedic plants and 375 species of fauna, including rare Himalayan animals like the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black bear/ Brown bear, Himalayan Tahr, etc., are carefully protected in this park under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Recognizing GHNP’s contribution to the conservation of biodiversity, this ecotourism destination in India has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Trekking is the only way to acquaint with the beauty of this park. The trekking trails offer spectacular views of dense deodar, oak and bamboo forests, alpine grasslands, serene rivers, snow-capped peaks, and high-elevation glaciers. Nature in its primordial glory fills your soul with peace!
Best time to visit: April to June, October and November.
Nearest Airport: Bhuntar Airport in Kullu
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