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Namaste Friends.
Ecotourism is a form of holidaying that involves travelling to areas of natural or cultural interest and living there responsibly so as to minimize the adverse effects of tourism in its more traditional form. Ecotourism seeks to involve local communities and preserve indigenous traditions, even as it gives visitors an
authentic experience. Thus, it benefits all – the environment, the community and the visitor. Ecotourism has both environmental and social connotations, and its’ potential as a vehicle for sustainable
development, especially in India, has been acknowledged.
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 India and Australia have agreed to co-promote nature-based
Ecotourism, and the first meeting of the India-Australia Ecotourism Working Group was held in New Delhi recently.The initiative envisages identification of investment opportunities in the sector, development of these opportunities, facilitation of study and familiarization tours for tour operators and journalists, establishment of reciprocal internships and professional exchange programs, and
promotion of ecotourism trade missions.
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Our Native Village, India’s only 100% ecoresort, is now open at Hessarghatta, 40 km from Bangalore, near the dance village, Nrityagram. What makes it unique?
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It is constructed from bricks made with the soil excavated for the foundation |
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It generates all electricity using solar, wind mills & bio gas |
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It meets upto 60% of its requirement of water through harvested rain water |
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It treats, processes and reuses all human, animal and food wastes |
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It grows most of the vegetables used in its restaurant on its own organic farm |
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It grows herbs and medicinal plants used in its spa on its own organic farm |
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It has the region’s first natural swimming pool, where aquatic plants (rather than chemicals like
chlorine) are used to purify the water |
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It uses fully natural, organic, hand made soaps and shampoos |
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It works in partnership with the Foundation for the Revitalisation of Rural Health Traditions (FRLHT)
to revive rural health traditions |
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It entertains guests with traditional games like spinning a top, gilli danda, marbles, flying kites |
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It takes guests on peacock, jackal and rabbit trails, shows them how to do rangoli and make
bangles, and gives them a taste of milking cows and churning butter |
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It is the first (and possibly the only) institution in the world to issue bullock cart driving licenses |
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Know More… |
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What is Diwali?
It is perhaps the best known of all Indian estivals – our equivalent of Christmas, if you like - celebrated all across India and by the Indian diaspora. Although a Hindu festival, it is celebrated by Indians of all faiths.
What is the significance of Diwali?
As with most Indian festivals, Diwali signifies different things to different people. In North India, Diwali celebrates the homecoming (after 14 years of exile and the defeat of Ravana) and coronation of Lord Rama, the central character of the epic, the Ramayana. In Gujarat, Diwali honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. In West Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali. Everywhere, it heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season.
Why do people light lamps?
Those small oil lamps are called diyas and they are symbolic of the welcome to Lord Rama / Goddess Lakshmi. It is because of the diyas that Diwali is also known as the "festival of lights".
How else do you celebrate Diwali?
The typical Indian way – with a puja
(prayer ceremony), by meeting and
greeting family and friends, with
fireworks, new clothes and lots
of good food! |
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“Spend Christmas in India”, advises Conde Nast Traveller, as Alex von Tunzelmann takes in the comforts of The Imperial, New Delhi, as well as 3 other imperial hotels. In the same issue, Nov 2006, Sue Carpenter waxes eloquent about the luxorious, child friendly Ahilya Fort Palace Hotel, Maheshwar. |
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Know More…
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 For 35 years, Travel+Leisure has been documenting journeys that are remembered for ever. In its September 2006 Anniversary issue, it puts together all the information you need to map out a life-changing trip and ndia features prominently:
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The Taj Mahal is the pick of 12 must-see landmarks |
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The Himalayas are recommended for where “the wild things still are” … specifically, the snow leopard |
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The heritage Palace on Wheels luxury train is suggested for those who want to experience regal hospitality |
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Gina Alhadeff visits the Rajghat Krishnamurti Study Centre in the holy city of Varanasi and recommends 3 other centers for meditation |
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Janice Blackburn takes the perfect tea break and discovers the Indian custom of “bed tea” at Glenburn – an old fashioned, elegant, working tea estate in West Bengal, just an hour away from the hill resort of Darjeeling.
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Know More…
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 The name of this vintage art form is self-explanatory. Kalamkari literally
translates as pen (kalam) and work (kari). The age-old art form is a method of painting natural dyes onto cotton or silk fabrics and found recognition in the 13th and 19th centuries. Kalamkari saris have pictures of deities, scrolls, scenes from epics like Ramayana etc. Today, Kalamkari lives on with the inititatives taken by various organistaion and village artisans. |
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Amitabh Kant
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism,
Transport Bhawan, Parliament Street,
New Delhi - 110 001.
T: 91 + 11 + 23715084
F: 91 + 11 + 23710518
M: amitabhk@incredibleindia.org
W: http://www.incredibleindia.org |
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While others may claim breathtaking locales, the mysticism of the east, the draw of civilization, the call of the wild.... India is that and much more.....
It is a journey of mind and soul.
It is a journey of the five senses
It is a journey of self-discovery
It is a journey of self-fulfillment. |
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You can always log on to our site at www.incredibleindia.org to subscribe. |
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