All posts by administrator

Zanskar Rafting - Ibex Expeditions

Ecotourism Society of India—Working Towards Sustainable Tourism

Ecotourism, , ,

 

Zanskar Rafting - Ibex Expeditions

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in India. With this pace of rampant growth, there is a need for a set of guiding principles that tour operators and the hotel industries need to be abide by, to be able to grow and prosper sustainably, in an environmentally friendly manner.

Ecotourism Society of India (ESOI) is a non-profit organisation that aims to promote and ensure environmentally responsible and sustainable practices in the tourism industry. The society was formed in 2008  by 13 widely experienced founding members from state government departments of tourism and forests, the tourism industry, wildlife conservation, NGOs and also Members of Parliament. It has been formed under the advice of the Ministry of Tourism. It is the national body for responsible tourism.

The outfit stands on three pillars:

  • Engaging in advocacy
  • Helping create policies and guidelines
  • Helping with certification

In its advocacy role, ESOI has launched national workshops on Environmental Law, Responsible Tourism and Best Practises, in partnership with WWF-India, supported by the Ministry of Tourism and state governments. These workshops allow for knowledge sharing, capacity building and a better understanding of ecotourism and its practical implementation. They also help raise awareness on the implications of unsustainable tourism and the need for green measures.

ESOI has conducted “Best Practice” workshops all over India, and has successfully managed to create state ecotourism societies as well.

The society is open for membership to conscious companies and individuals who wish to walk the sustainable path and lend support to the cause.

Some of the advantages of becoming a member of this important outfit are:

1. Exchange of environmental good practices among members
2. Sharing of best practices on responsible tourism
3. Invitation to training programs, seminars at concessional members rate
4. Use of logo on members website / stationery / publicity material to communicate  organization’s commitment to being eco-friendly organization
5. Certification of tourism enterprises
6. Society shall champion for Member’s issues concerning Ecotourism and take up with the govt. bodies for resolving the same
7. Affiliation with worldwide ecotourism bodies
8. Mention in membership directory and website
9. Visits and invitations to selected ecotourism sites
10. Membership certificate
11. Possibility of becoming an Honorary Ecotourism Warden of the Society

Mandip Singh Soin has been the Founder President, and is the Immediate Past President  of the Ecotourism Society of India. Other founding members include:

1. Dr. Venu, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India;
2. PD Rai, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha;
3. Avay Shukla, (Retd.) Addl, Chief Secy, Forests, Govt of Himachal Pradesh;
4. Rakesh Mathur, Director & Principal Advisor – Zinc Hospitality, Cross Roads Hotels, Speciality Restaurants;
5. Toby Sinclair, wildlife filmmaker
6.  Sudip Sahi, UNDP Consultant
7. Krishna Kumar, former MLA and environmentalist
8. Ravi Singh, CEO, WWF India;
9. Steve Borgia, Chief Managing Director, Indeco Hotels;
10. Sarat Champati, chief naturalist
11. Jose Dominic, MD CGH Earth Hotels;
12. Niranjan Kharti, GM Environment, ITC WelcomGroup Hotels.

The Honorary Members include:

1. Shri Shilabhadra Banerjee IAS Former Secretary, Govt.of India, Min. of Tourism;
2. Shri Sujit Banerjee IAS Former Secretary, Govt.of India, Min. of Tourism;
3. Dr. H S Pabla Former PCCF, Madhya Pradesh; Retd. IFS;
4. Maharaja Gaj Singh Ji, The Maharaja of Marwar, Jodhpur;
5. Shri M.P. Bezbaruah, IAS, (Retd.) Honourable Member of North East Council (NEC).

Ibex Expeditions has been associated with ESOI since May 2009, and our association is going strong. We uphold the values of #treadlightly and encourage our travellers to avoid using single-use plastic

We recommend you to become members of this wonderful association as well.
Website: http://www.ecotourismsocietyofindia.org/

Top Monsoon Destinations of India

Ecotourism, Responsible Tourism, , , ,

 

The South West monsoon has arrived in India. The changing weather pattern brought it late this year, and it is still not as intense as it was last year, but the wild regions are still green and dancing in ecstasy  with every drop. Here are a few places in India that one can visit to soak in the beauty of the Indian monsoon.

KERALA


The first state to witness the arrival of the monsoon, Kerala’s natural landscape becomes all kinds of magic in the rains. From the rolling hills of the Western Ghats to the coastal belt and the backwaters, everything is lush and green and beautiful in the monsoon season. Your journey here will leave you yearning for more!

GOA


A little further up from Kerala lies India’s smallest state. Goa, generally known for its beaches, is a little jewel of green in the rains. Lush waterfalls erupt in the rain, you can spend hours kayaking in secret mangrove forests, and days exploring untouched forests in the region. Come, check out the other side of Goa in the monsoon!

ORCHHA, MADHYA PRADESH


Orchha is wonderful in the rains. This otherwise dry corner of Malwa plateau becomes a  beautiful, green region. Charming scenery of the Betwa river, historical forts, places, temples, monuments, memorials, and heritage re-create the nostalgia of its golden period. Orchha is one of the spectacular destinations to visit during monsoon.

MEGHALAYA


Meghalaya, meaning the abode of clouds, is nestled in the north-eastern region of India. It is the wettest region of India. About 70% of the region is forested. Misty clouds, roaring waterfalls and forests greet you everywhere. If you don’t mind getting wet, we highly recommend a journey here!

Costa Rica’s Finca Rosa Blanca: Paradise For The Conscious Traveler | Ibex Expeditions

Costa Rica’s Finca Rosa Blanca: Paradise for the Conscious Traveler

Ecotourism, Trip Departures International, , , ,

Costa Rica’s Finca Rosa Blanca: Paradise For The Conscious Traveler | Ibex Expeditions

Nestled in the hills above San José in the rugged, rainforested Costa Rica is the divine Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation and Inn. Recognised by The National Geographic as one of the Unique Lodges of the World, it is a welcome retreat where art meets nature meets incredible cuisine, and coffee!

Costa Rica’s Finca Rosa Blanca: Paradise For The Conscious Traveler | Ibex Expeditions

A labour of love of over 30 years, Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort is the creation of three generations of the Jampol Family. Sylvia Jampol along with her son Glenn and his wife Teri started the dream in 1985. More than three decades later, Teri and Glenn live next door to the hotel in the organic coffee plantation which allows them to oversee the guests’ every need. Their two daughters Lily and Olivia, grew up on the grounds of Finca Rosa Blanca along with countless dogs, cats, horses, friends and family.

Glenn Jampol is an artist, and his artwork is on display at the hotel and restaurant. Mr. Jampol is also one of the pioneer advocates of the global ecotourism movement. He is one of the founding member of the outfit Global Ecotourism Network (GEN), and is considered to be one of the fathers of sustainability of Costa Rica, owing to his work in the country as president of CANAECO, a nonprofit organization with the aim of stimulating the country’s tourist activities in a responsible manner.

Costa Rica’s Finca Rosa Blanca: Paradise For The Conscious Traveler | Ibex Expeditions

The Finca Rosa Blanca embodies the spirit of sustainability. No chemicals or fertilisers are used in the coffee plantation, all waste is recycled. Over the last 25 years, the outfit has planted more than 7,000 native trees and is carbon neutral. We highly recommend this wonderful resort and meeting the wonderful owners.

Climbing Meru - Ibex Expeditions

Climbing Meru with Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk

Adventure Travel, From the Archives, , , ,

Climbing Meru - Ibex Expeditions

In October 2011, climbers Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk made a first ascent of a 4000 foot granite wall called Shark’s Fin at 6310m on the Meru Central in the heart of India’s Garhwal Himalaya.

This was a second attempt for Jimmy Chin and Renan, both of whom suffered from horrific accidents a few months before the climb. For Conrad, this was his third attempt.

The result of this climb, apart from their successful summit, was an astounding documentary film chronicling their journey, and the climbers’ attempts to face their demons. If you haven’t seen Meru yet, you simply must. Directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, the film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2016.

#IbexExpeditions was their expedition outfitter for all their attempts.

Photo © Jimmy Chin, of Conrad Anker on the Shark’s Fin.

World Oceans Day 2019 - Ibex Expeditions

World Oceans Day 2019

Ecotourism, , ,

World Oceans Day 2019 - Ibex Expeditions

The United Nations and the international community began observing June 8 as World Oceans Day in 2009 to recognise the major role oceans play in our lives and the challenges faced in preserving this resource.

According to the UN, the concept of a World Oceans Day was first proposed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

We celebrate World Oceans Day to remind everyone of the major role the oceans have in everyday life. They are the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe. The purpose of the Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans. They are a major source of food and medicines and a critical part of the biosphere. In the end, it is a day to celebrate together the beauty, the wealth and the promise of the ocean.

According to UN estimates, around 13 million tonnes of plastic leaks into the oceans every year. Plastic floating in the ocean kills one million sea birds and more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. If we continue throwing the same amount of marine litter in the ocean, plastic will outweigh fish by 2050.

This year, let us pledge to drastically reduce our consumption of single-use plastic as much as possible. The travel community can contribute to this change in a big way. So let us try to avoid using those plastic bags and straws as much as possible.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/topics/organisations/un.html

World Environment Day 2019 – Beat Air Pollution | Ibex Expeditions

World Environment Day 2019 – Beat Air Pollution

Ecotourism, Responsible Tourism, ,

The United Nations’ mandated World Environment Day on 5th June every year.   Since it began in 1974, the event has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.

This year, the theme revolves around air pollution. Air pollution is a man-made problem that has been responsible for early deaths of about seven million people every year, around 600,000 of whom are children. It is estimated that 90 per cent of the world’s population breathe polluted air. 

“The right to a healthy environment is fundamental to human well-being and is legally recognized by over 150 States at the national and regional levels. It should be globally reaffirmed to ensure the enjoyment of this right by everyone, everywhere while upholding the human rights principles of universality and non-discrimination,” David Boyd, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment said in a statement.

As travellers, we explore everything. The fresh mountain air, the warm tropical breeze, the aromatic smell trailing through winding lanes of old quarters of world cities, the powerful fumes of history in old monuments…the list goes on. Air is primary to our existence. Whether it is the cold, billowing wind of Antarctica, or the sultry breeze of Rajasthan, or the mountain air of the Himalaya, every breath we inhale adds to our experience and to our memory of that place. So it becomes important for our tribe to be aware of this primary important element of life. While policy makers have the larger responsibility of ensuring clean air for all, we as world citizens can do our bit by reducing our carbon footprint, by supporting causes and outfits that work towards reducing air pollution, and by generally advocating good clean air. After all, we have only one planet.