As any avid traveller will tell you, travelling is never about the destination. It is, rather, all about luxuriating oneself in the journey itself – the roads taken, the paths traversed, the courses charted, the experiences gained. And there is perhaps no travel that manages to deliver the kind of fulfillment as one taken in nature’s lap does. It is to encourage more travellers across the country to choose such differentiated, ecologically responsible travel experiences that Cleartrip, India’s leading online platform for travel and leisure experiences, has been running an offbeat campaign promoting eco-tourism in India.
Celebrating World Earth Day on April 22, the Cleartrip campaign has been raising awareness about eco-friendly experiences across India through engaging and highly-contextual social media posts. The campaign also further reinforced Cleartrip’s position as a socially-conscious and environment-friendly brand.
Born to be wild: Putting the spotlight on wildlife conservation initiatives in India
For instance, in the light of the recent passing away of Sudan, the last male White Rhino, Cleartrip has been promoting various wildlife conservation initiatives taken in India as a reminder that there remains much to be grateful about. The platform has highlighted the roaring success of Project Tiger, which has seen India’s tiger population more than double between 2010 and 2016 to reach 3,890, and the Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project, which has led to a steady growth in the lion population in India since its launch.
It has also applauded the heartening progress made by the efforts to conserve the Nilgiri tahr and the greater one-horned rhino. Through these posts, Cleartrip also informed users about eco-friendly travel plans that could help them spot these majestic animals in their natural habitats, without posing a threat to their continued survival.
Nature-friendly living: Promoting environmentally-sustainable accommodations
Taking another major step towards promoting sustainable and environmentally-conscious tourism, Cleartrip informed Indian travellers about several hotel and accommodation options in popular tourist destinations that do not disrupt the sensitive ecological balance of the area. A case in point was Dune Eco Resort and Spa in Pondicherry, which is completely constructed with eco-friendly and recycled materials and offers its patrons fresh meals made of completely organic ingredients sourced from its farms. Similarly, Kanha Earth Lodge in Kanha is made from recycled wood and local stone, and also uses skylights and solar-powered lanterns to reduce electricity dependence.
ITC Grand Chola in Chennai allows its patrons to bask in responsibly-crafted luxury within the city through its renewable energy sources. Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom, on the other hand, is a sylvan escape that is accessible only by boat and it uses cows as lawnmowers and doesn’t shy away from composting, organic farming, and recycling. Barefoot Resort in the tropical paradise of Havelock Island is an 18-cottage property staffed by locals – also responsible for creating it from indigenous materials. It uses rainwater harvesting and a natural spring to ensure independent water supply that doesn’t affect the village nearby. Through its posts promoting such accommodations, Cleartrip aimed to encourage more travellers across India to reduce their ecological footprint on the places that they visit.
Fulfilling, fun, eco-friendly: Local experiences near top cities
Cleartrip also presented a curated list of ecologically-responsible activities close to top cities for adventure enthusiasts looking for something fun and exciting to do over the weekend. It informed Mumbaikars about the Devkund Waterfall Trek, which is a secluded natural gem hidden amongst the leafy confines of the Bhira Dam, and the Jungle Trek in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, an ecological treasure home to ancient Buddhist caves, leopards, and breath-taking views. Chennai residents had snorkelling in Covelong and paddleboarding at Kovalam to look forward to, while those in Kochi could go for one-day farm tours and canoeing in Kumarakom.
Bangalore residents were also presented with several local activities options by Cleartrip. They could choose to go for a heritage walk in Lalbagh, a 240-acre horticultural gem home to over 1,000 species of indigenous and exotic plants; camp at Hasiru Valley Adventure Park; or explore Nandi Hills through a cycling trail. For Kolkata, Cleartrip promoted engaging activities such as the Sandakphu-Phalut Trek, kayaking in Eco Park, and cycling through the greenery surrounding the City of Joy.
Some would think that Goa is all about beaches and parties, but Cleartrip presented a very different and nature-friendly side of India’s Beach Capital by promoting various waterfall toursand wildlife experience in and around the city. Adventure enthusiasts from Pune, an emerging IT hub, also got a chance to feast their eyes on several scenic trekking destinations. Of particular note were treks to the picturesque Tikona Fort, sitting like a crown jewel amidst a lush and verdant landscape, and the Sinhagad Fort, a must-visit destination for all history buffs, trekking enthusiasts, and nature lovers.
Article Source: The New Indian Express Indulge