Backpack for a greener destination

Swati Rai

There was a time when travel was about one holiday a year. Planning for the annual vacation would begin much in advance. From tickets to hotel stays to itinerary, everything would be done to a T to avoid any last-minute confusions. All for that one holiday, till  travel branched out from that ‘vacation’ to mini vacations, staycations, solo trips et al. Blend of tech and travel lured tourists further. So, while the tourism industry flourished, it did take a toll on our environment, lending urgency to sustainable and eco-friendly tourism.

Sustainable travel and eco-tourism are used interchangeably as terms. There is, however, a slight difference between the two. According to the Global Sustainability Tourism Council, the former is a broader amalgam of socio-economic and cultural impact of tourism. It also includes wise consumption of resources, reducing pollution and conserving biodiversity and landscapes.

 Eco-tourism is a part of sustainable tourism, and aims at conserving local ecologies with the help of tourists. Upkeep of the natural habitat, local economy and community are the goals to meet for eco-tourism. The International Ecotourism Society explains it thus: “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” Whatever be the theory, however similar or different, all roads lead to ‘green’ travel.

Change on the ground

With increasing levels of awareness among tourists, the focus has shifted to sustainable travel and eco tourism. This change is being welcomed not just by the travel industry, but also tourists.

With some research and planning, eco-friendly travel can be made possible. Rishikesh-based Canadian travel writer Mariellen Ward offers practical advice on making sustainable travel work: “It all begins with limiting plane travel. We don’t think of it much, but that is the biggest pollutant.” Other obvious ways are controlling the use of plastic by avoiding bottled water. She recommends refilling bottle wherever safe-drinking water is available or carrying a handheld device that uses UV rays to disinfect the water. She also stresses on the resorts’ responsibility to ensure limited use of bottled water and, at the same time, look for alternatives to provide safe and pure drinking water guests. 

Travelling in e-rickshaws is another way of reducing carbon emissions. Several resorts and hotels are providing e-rickshaw services to tourists to bring down the pollution caused by vehicles. 

Ways to contribute 

Apart from sourcing community-produced products, tourists can opt for immersive travel experiences by enrolling in volunteer services. This varies from teaching a skill to local persons to funding small-scale businesses. A careful and conscientious traveller can do a lot.

Travel blogger Lakshmi Sharath says homestay owners, local travel companies and tour operators have become aware about tourism’s threat to ecology and hence are taking the right measures. Citing an example, she says, “Hingaara near Agumbe, Karnataka, or organisations like Culture Angaan near Sindudurg work with local communities. Also, in Mangalajodi, a small village on the banks of Chilika lake, an organisation called Wild Orissa works with poachers and has trained them to become naturalists and bird guides.” They have also formed another trust and organisation to promote eco-tourism.

While the concept of preserving local culture and ecology has finally stepped out of textbooks and is more than a lip service today, it is also true that greenwashing does exist. Promoting an organisation as environment friendly, while it is actually not is called greenwashing. Such organisations, in fact, deflect the attention from real issues. 

The pinned locations, their topography, cultural and socio-economic balance, all get affected by our wanderlust. And, that shouldn’t be forgotten.

Set a reminder

Sipping on artisanal tea while enjoying a scenic view from the balcony of a plush hotel might make us forget the carbon footprint we leave behind. So, it is important to remind ourselves of ways to travel responsibly. Stack garbage in a bag, give feedback to travel companies and hotels on their ‘green’ efforts, conserve water at the hotel by reducing excessive laundry.... All this will go a long way in making us a responsible traveller.