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It was a crimson sunset that evening. The waves lashed at the shore in the distance and the birds took their final flight back home. The coconut trees swayed and the narrow, muddy path went far beyond what I could see. I was at a tiny village called Kotawade outside Ratnagiri. The village was dotted with homestays. Larger hotels existed only in the city. The village was serene until I walked to the sea that was crowded with tourists trying out water sports at dirt cheap prices. Few urban dwellers were carelessly frolicking on the beach, talking loudly and drinking. A broken beer bottle washed up on the coast. The end of serenity, it seemed, was near.
When problems like these make their way to the most spectacular of places that still struggle to thrive in all their natural beauty, it is imperative to realise what our irresponsibility, our lifestyle and unaccountability towards nature has done. Commercial tourism resulting in deforestation, excessive construction, littering and rising pollution levels has tremendously affected our eco-systems.
Shimla has run out of water, Uttarakhand Tourism has banned river rafting in Rishikesh due to unlawful, dangerous practices, 75 illegal properties have shut down in Himachal Pradesh, our heritage monuments are covered in love scribbles and our tribal communities are being commodified and exploited. This has led to concerns about the terrible impact that tourism is inflicting on the planet, and in turn, our society.
As much as we at Homegrown love to travel, we recognise the dire need to approach tourism, and development surrounding it, from a sustainable and ethical point of view. One that does not pose a threat to the ecology and the people of the place you plan on visiting. Tourism is a thriving industry and there is no denying that. However, it now requires a two-fold effort––on behalf of both, the tourists and the local management.
Thus we have compiled an extensive A-Z guide to not just make you a responsible traveller but also an insightful one. Let the journey begin.
A for Awareness
Be aware at all times - of yourself and your surroundings. Doing prior research on the topography and the culture of the place you’re visiting always helps to know what works and what doesn’t.
B for Basic
Travel light, pack basic necessities only. This way you won’t take up more space and increase the carbon footprint with the materials you are carrying.
C to engage your Curiosity
While travelling, curiosity will never kill the cat. Ask questions to your driver about the routes, to the local shopkeepers about the local speciality, to your hosts/staff about the space, to your fellow travellers about their experiences. This will not just give you deep insights into space and make the journey all the more meaningful, but will also help develop relationships with the local community and keep you informed.
D is for being Down-To-Earth
Show humility, stay humble – especially while travelling to remote, rural regions. There’s no need to show off swanky gadgets and such things. Adjustment is key, and understanding of local customs imperative.
E to be Eco- friendly
Be mindful of the resources you use. They are limited, especially in remote areas. Do not waste water and food. Avoid using plastic. As far as possible, travel by public transport to reduce traffic and pollution.
F is to Fuel the Economy
Skip McDonald’s for a sumptuous meal in a local restaurant. Use local transport. Choose to shop for handicrafts and local specialities. Partake/help out in activities that will help the local economy.
G for Gratefulness
Be thankful and grateful to all those who provide you service while you travel. Be it your hosts, your server, your driver or even a kind local who told you the way to the place you were looking for. This creates a certain goodwill in the society and also makes local communities more amicable and receptive to outbound travellers.
H is to Help Further The Cause
While it is important to practice sustainable tourism, it is also important to help further the cause by educating others. If you see your fellow travellers indulging in irresponsible practices, call them out and make them aware. Support and encourage tourists and tour operators who are on the path of sustainable development.
I is for Introspection
While travelling should be full of exploration, activity and conversations, make some time to be alone and introspect about what you are experiencing and learning. You will not just realise deeper things but also reflect on your habits as a traveller - what you can improve and how you can give back to the community.
J for Journalistic
Question anything that may seem wrong and bring it to light - be it inefficiencies in local transportation, any form of harassment by your hosts or shady businesses in restaurant, hotels or even amongst people you meet. This way you are creating a safer environment for others to travel.
K is for Keeping Kempt
Be neat and tidy. Keep yourself and your surroundings clean. Do not litter or scribble on public walls. If possible, organise clean-up drives with like-minded fellow travellers or with the group you are travelling with.
L means Living Local
Consider choosing a homestay over a hotel. Try the local delicacies and buy indigenous specialities. Travel by local transport to get a sense of the lifestyle. This not just makes you a responsible traveller but also an insightful one.
M for being Mindful
Understand that not all cultures are exposed to the kind of liberty you have. Be mindful of the kind of words you use (especially if you are used to a certain amount of profanity), the way you dress and present yourself. Being thoughtful about these things will not ease any possible troubles for you but will also stop the community from being hostile to travellers and against outside exposure.
N for Non-Judgemental
Socio-political and socio-cultural factors of a space influence the way its citizens think. Thus, do not judge communities for their lifestyle, traditions and thoughts, no matter how absurd or regressive they may seem to you. Mindsets cannot be changed within a day. Try understanding the situation and then put forth your opinions politely.
O is to continue taking Opportunities
Make the most of your trip. Take every opportunity you get to learn and understand more about the space you are in.
P for Punctual
A habit not too many Indian travellers can boast of, nevertheless an important one - especially when you are travelling with groups or taking special tours. Understand that when you are late, you are ruining everyone’s routines and time schedules.
Q for being Quiet
Refrain from talking loudly or playing loud music - especially in forests, hills and quaint spaces. Why not enjoy the peace and tranquility of your natural surroundings?
R is to Research Your Travel Operators
If you are travelling through a tour operator, there’s a high chance that you would have little flexibility of doing your own thing. It is always best to research in advance about the nature of their practices, their relationship with local communities, the sustainability of their operations and so on. Availing the service of an irresponsible, money-minting tour operator makes you accountable too.
Some reliable and responsible tour operators are Grassroutes, Little Local, GemTrackTravels and UFO. Also, check out the Outlook Traveller Responsible Tourism Initiative’s Database for more.
S to experience Slow Travel
While it is true that we have become a generation of overworked and underpaid millennials, it is imperative for us to take out the time to travel meaningfully. Understand that you cannot go around the world in 80 days, cannot do a Euro trip in 2 weeks or do a whirlwind tour of the North East of India in a few days if you aspire to travel meaningfully. Take a deep breath, slow down and pick one location that interests you the most. Take time to discover its many charms and idiosyncrasies. This will be an education, an immersive travel experience that you can put to use in many ways.
T is to Tolerate
Shit happens. In life and on the road. Take it in your stride, tolerate and act smart. Be it a broken down car, a missed flight or clashing viewpoints with a fellow traveller or a local host. The beauty of travel ought to be stepping outside your comfort zone and exposing yourself to a different world. Take it easy.
U for Uncorrupted
Do not slip a 100 rupee note to the office if the queue for a tourist attraction is too long. Do not be a corrupt traveller or encourage corrupt practices in the community. It can harm other tourists, create administrative chaos and degrade the legacy, sanctity and the reputation of the site/place you are visiting.
While modern India has made conscious efforts to go green and gravitate towards a more sustainable existence, the truth is that the change just isn’t happening fast enough. For most people, the issue lies in finding an effective way to put their beliefs into practice. This is where volunteer programs come in. Up and down the country are organisations fighting a daily battle against urbanisation and even though they’re doing brilliant work, they could always use an extra hand...or ten. So instead of lazing all day, pick your poison, pack your bags and head out to make a difference.
W for Woke
Before you go, make sure you are aware of the political, social, cultural and geographical scenario of the place you’re visiting. Check weather forecasts, check news etc and make a few phone calls to be better informed. For example, Shimla recently ran out of the water, 75 illegal properties shut down in Himachal. Avoid going in case of any such crisis for it will only put pressure on the city to deal with tourists.
Y is for Yielding Greater Profits by Eliminating Middlemen
As far as possible, limit the use of commercial tour operators and travel independently to eliminate middlemen and their hidden costs. This way, the money you spend on travelling will completely go to the local community.
Z for Zealous
Follow all the rules, be a responsible traveller but don’t equate it to being a boring one. Be energetic, hustle, have fun and make the most of your experience.
Think we missed out on any important points? Write to us at editor@homegrown.co.in
Feature Image Courtesy: Ultimate Frontier Outlands
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