Loves travel. Loves Green

Be it to the pristine Himalayas or lively Goa, the Indian traveller is awaking to the whole new concept of eco travel.

Siddharth Bhatia quit his job, sold his car, and left all the other trappings of the material life back in the city to finally live his dream of trekking across the multiple valleys of the Himalayas. "It was my inner calling," he says.
"Apart from the fact that I love the mountains and to study the people, it was a lot about soul searching," he adds. Bhatia, a mountaineer by choice and a banker by profession, spent the better part of 2008 backpacking across the Kullu valley, Uttarkashi, Lahaul valley, Kargil and Leh.
Though Bhatia's trip may have been an extreme case of love for the natural world, there are many who take smaller holidays albeit on similar lines. Be it the pristine Himalayas or the lively Goa, the Indian traveller is awaking to the whole new concept of ecotourism.

So what exactly is Ecotourism?
Ecotourism focuses on volunteering, individual growth and discovering new ways to live on the planet. It involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.
According to The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), ecotourism is "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."
Experts have described the seven characteristics of ecotourism: It involves travel to natural destinations; has minimum impact; builds environmental awareness; provides direct financial benefits for conservation; provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people; respects local culture; supports human rights and demographic movements.

Why go the eco travel way?
With over a billion tourists traveling across the globe each year, and the looming threat of climate change, the need for travellers to minimise their impact on natural and cultural resources is greater than ever before. You wouldn't visit Naldehra in Himachal Pradesh for a relaxing vacation, if it were a commercialised district, right?
Here are some small contributions you can make during your next vacation just to do your bit for the environment and to save the places you would love to visit. (And no, it doesn't have to be quitting your job or selling your car.)
- Check if the hotel you are going to stay in is locally owned and operated or at least employs local people.
- Reuse your towels and sheets instead of asking for fresh one every day of your stay.
- Keep your showers short and close the tap while brushing your teeth.
- Turn off the television, the coffee maker, air conditioning, heat, lights or any other electric devices when you leave the room.
- Take the train instead of flying, especially for shorter trips.
- If you are hiring a taxi, go for the smallest one that can accommodate you and your group comfortably.
- Opt to use public transport whenever you can. Best is to walk or bike.
- Don't litter, especially while trekking. And extinguish campfires completely before you leave.
- Try to buy local products and souvenirs. But stay clear of items made from endangered animals and plants.
- Respect the local people and customs. Do your research on the area you are visiting before your trip.