The number of people taking weekend trips in India has substantially increased over the last few years. These trips not only rejuvenate and recharge us but are a great way to connect with self and family. Due to this demand, there is an increase in resorts, farm stays and rustic homestays which are just 2-3 hours from large cities of India ie Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad etc.
While this is good news for the local tourism economy and provides an alternative earning to local villagers and farmers, it also leads to over-tourism to some fragile ecosystems such as hills, riverbanks, agricultural lands, ocean beaches etc. The weekend tourists from the city leave behind trash of plastic bottles, wrappers and packets, used sanitary napkins and diapers, liquor bottles, cigarette stubs etc. This becomes a challenge for villages because like cities and towns, small villages do not have a waste collection and segregation facility at all.
In our quest to spend a weekend amongst nature, we unknowingly and knowingly harm the villages with unnecessary damage. To reverse or set off this aftermath of over-tourism to the villages, won’t it be better if visitors not only came, experienced rural life but also did something that has a positive impact on these villages.
Every environmental impact of travel should be positive and long-lasting which includes everything from eliminating the use of single-use plastics to finding new, better ways to reduce and offset carbon emissions associated with our trips.
‘Green Footprints’ is the latest responsible rural tourism programme from OneShoe where the city folks who love to spend weekends in the pristine surroundings of villages near their city, not only get a weekend getaway but also get to connect with local people, local government, eat locally grown food and also contribute in local issues first hand such as cleanups, participating in local schools etc.
Our belief – Take only memories and leave only footprints…
Green Footprints at Mangaon :
In our effort to promote responsible rural tourism, we carried out the Green Footprints program at Mangaon Khurd and Mangaon Badruk Villages. We organised a cleanup drive in association with Gram Panchayat (Local Government).
We hosted students and parents of MET Rishikul Vidyalaya, Mumbai to come and understand the problem of plastic litter. They cleaned up the villages and had a traditional style meal. The students and parents left the villages cleaner than they found it and tasted a slice of real village life – that’s the mark of a true explorer.
Stay tuned for more updates or connect with us to participate in more Green Footprints events. If you are in Mumbai and wish to bring your group for a picnic with purpose, please write to anjali1shoe@gmail.com.
