Past the ancient ruins in Hampi and across the river Tungabhadra lies a haven for Karnataka’s artisans. Though it seems unassuming, especially compared to the historical UNESCO-protected tourist hotspot just five kilometres away, the small village of Anegundi sets the standard for sustainable tourism. Powered by The Kishkinda Trust, the beautiful town of Anegundi is home to a craft tourism illage, allowing the area’s economy to thrive as locals share their art.
This creative enterprise first started back in 1998, when the founder of The Kishkinda Trust, Sharma Pawar noticed that, despite Anegundi falling into Hampi’s protected zone, the latter’s success as a prime tourism destination didn’t benefit the people living around the site. She started an initiative to teach local villagers how to use banana fibres to weave a wide array of products.
What started as a small project benefitting just 8 women has blossomed. Today, Anegundi is home to around 300 artisans, the majority of whom are women. As you walk through the village, you’ll find several hand-woven goods made of raw materials, banana fibres, or water hyacinths for sale. From purses to baskets and placemats, you can purchase countless personally crafted items to directly benefit the women behind the product.
Every element of this Craft Tourism Village benefits Anegundi, starting with the materials they extract for their work. While we romanticise water hyacinths for their gorgeous lilac hue, they are an invasive species in the Tungabhadra River, causing several detriments to the aquatic ecosystem. However, when harvested, their dried stems can be used in crafts, meaning they are removed from the ecosystem without being wasted. Similarly, banana fibres are biodegradable yet sturdy material, allowing for a zero-waste production system.
However, sustainable tourism has to be more than just eco-friendly. While tourism can help an economy, it can also negatively impact that destination’s local population. This is particularly true when outside influences often exploit lands for the economic gain of an outside party. The Kishkinda Trust ensured this would not be the case in Anegunda. The women in the Craft Village transform from artisans into entrepreneurs as their creative industry flourishes.
Anegundi’s Craft Village is a prime example of what truly ethical tourism looks like. They innovate, transforming environmental hurdles, like the havoc-wreaking water hyacinths, into financial possibilities. As a result, their local community is able to thrive because their business practices can be sustained over a long period of time, benefitting both the land and its people. They show us long-term sustainability is possible when we shift our focus from personal profits to collective growth.
Follow The Kishkinda Trust to learn more about their Craft Village here.
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