Is Eco-Tourism In Guwahati The Future Of Travel? Here's What You Didn't Know!
1. Picking an Eco-Friendly Place for Stay
If you are searching for an eco-friendly location, it is important to choose accommodations that cater towards sustainable practices. Guwahati has a variety of eco-friendly hotels and guest houses like homestays that focus on increasing their standards of sustainability tourism. While booking, look out for eco-friendly hotels that consume green energy, have waste disposal systems, and water saving technologies. Not only do local homestays reduce the tourists carbon footprint by using natural resources, they are also supportive of the local economy.
2. Move Towards Eco-Friendly Modes of Transport
With carbon emissions causing transportation, picking an eco-friendly way of traveling is very important. In Guwahati the public transport system is well developed with buses and shared auto rickshaws being quite cheap. You can also rent a bicycle to see popular tourist attractions like the Brahmaputra riverfront and Assam State Zoo, or simply walk. Walking is also an effective way of decreasing your carbon footprint as you appreciate the culture.
For longer trips around the region, it is best to use train services instead of planes. Trains are better for the environment and are more energy efficient than travelling by air.
3. Buy From Eco-Friendly Local Businesses
Many local artisans, farmers, and small businesses in Guwahati offer eco-friendly products and services. By buying local handicrafts, organic tea, or traditional Assamese silk, you not only help the local economy, but also save on imported good's environmental costs. You can find sustainable souvenirs at Fancy Bazaar or Paltan Bazaar.
Also, eat in places that serve traditional Assamese food where ingredients are sourced from the local marketplace. This reduces food miles and allows one to experience the area's impressive cuisine.
4. Enjoy Exploring the Variety of Flora & Fauna
Guwahati has beautiful green forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and stunning water bodies. Eco-tourism attractions include Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Deepor Beel, a Ramsar site with rich biodiversity. When you go to these places, make sure to adhere to responsible tourism policies like:
Avoiding the use of single-use plastics
Not throwing trash around
Keeping a decent distance from the wildlife to respect them
Using local knowledgeable tour guides
Through responsible tourism, you ensure that these beautiful places are preserved for the next generations.
5. Participate in Community Based Ecotourism Projects
Community tourism projects enable travelers to foster social relations with the local population while allowing for sustainable development. You can participate in village tours, cultural events, and workshops in Guwahati, where locals teach traditional crafts or farming skills. This type of tourism provides significant economic benefits to rural areas, and increases understanding of cultures between guests and locals.
For example, you can visit the Mishing tribal villages near Guwahati and learn about their distinct way of life, their age-old bamboo artisan skills, and sustainable farming methods.
6. Reduce Waste and Follow the Leave No Trace Policy
To have an eco-friendly vacation, reducing waste is important. To reduce plastic use, carry reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and cutlery. Always try to dispose of waste in designated bins. If there are no bins, take the litter with you. If you are in natural places, follow the 'Leave No Trace' policies which maintain undisturbed nature in its natural beauty.
The city of Guwahati is slowly improving its waste management systems, but it still asks for individual responsibility to keep the city clean and green.
7. Learn About Local Conservation Efforts
Knowing the environmental concerns of Guwahati and the surrounding areas, one can learn to appreciate this region and opt for more sustainable practices. The city suffers from problems like deforestation, pollution of the Brahmaputra River and degradation of wetland wildlife. Many NGOs and government projects are focusing on these issues with reforestation, river cleaning drives, and awareness campaigns.
Consider doing some volunteer work with the conservation efforts during your stay. A few hours of your time can significantly impact the community.
Wrap Up
To ensure an eco-friendly vacation in Guwahati, you need to be careful about your choices when it comes to hotels, transport, activities, and shopping. If you wish to enjoy Guwahati to the fullest and do your part in preserving the environment, you need to prioritize sustainability and assist the local community. With Guwahati's astounding natural beauty, diverse cultures, and warm welcoming locals, there is no reason why you shouldn't visit this region, but be sure to do so responsibly and ensure the only thing you leave behind are footprints.
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