India’s eco-tourism set for rapid growth by 2027 with market size reaching $4.55 billion, ET TravelWorld

As the impact of climate change intensifies, India is rising to the challenge by embracing sustainability across industries, particularly in hospitality and tourism. According to a recent report by the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), KPMG, and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), the country’s sustainable tourism market is projected to grow at a robust annual rate (CAGR) of 19.3 per cent by 2032. Eco-tourism, in particular, is expected to surge at a rate of 15.7 per cent from 2019 to 2027, reaching a market size of USD4.55 billion. With eco-tourism on the rise, many hotels and lodges are now incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks to cater to the growing demand from environmentally-conscious travellers. One prominent example is the Chambal Safari Lodge, nestled in the National Chambal Sanctuary, which has become a leader in sustainable eco-tourism since its inception in 1999.

Located within the National Chambal Sanctuary, a critical habitat for endangered species like the Gangetic River Dolphins, gharials, and numerous migratory birds, Chambal Safari Lodge has been actively involved in conservation efforts for over 25 years. The lodge has reclaimed 20 acres of forest, protected 10 hectares of natural habitat, and played a crucial role in boosting the local gharial population from 200 to more than 2,000.

The lodge grounds are home to over 57 species of endemic plants and provide refuge to 198 species of mammals, reptiles, and birds. This rich biodiversity, coupled with eco-tourism initiatives, has made Chambal Safari Lodge a symbol of successful environmental stewardship in India.

In an effort to promote sustainable tourism, the Chambal Safari Lodge partnered with The ImPart Collective, an ESG consultancy based in Milan with operations in Bengaluru. Together, they have worked on documenting the lodge’s best practices over the past 25 years, which have been verified through audits conducted by the Indian School of Nature (ISN).

The report generated from this collaboration serves as a first-of-its-kind framework for sustainable tourism and wildlife conservation in India. It outlines several notable achievements of the lodge, including:

– Aiming for 100 per cent solar reliance by 2025.
– Offsetting 5.87 tonnes of carbon annually, with potential to reach 51 tonnes.
– Harvesting 100 per cent of rainwater, resulting in a water positivity rate of 37,400 litres per room night.
– Reducing energy consumption by 30 per cent over the last five years, with total energy consumption per guest room night at 54 kWh.
– Achieving carbon sequestration of 62.5 tonnes annually, making the lodge carbon-negative by 5.87 tonnes per year.

Chambal Safari Lodge reinvested 67 per cent of its revenue in 2023 into local communities and allocated 20 per cent of profits to community development programs. The lodge has also spearheaded biodiversity conservation efforts, including funding a smart patrolling project in the National Chambal Sanctuary, which has led to an increase in nesting sites from 1 to 5 in the past 25 years.

Commenting on the initiative, Pooja Nataraj, Co-Founder, of The ImPart Collective, said, “This report is not just a reflection of Chambal Safari Lodge’s achievements but a critical framework for the future of eco-tourism in India. It sets a precedent for how hotels, resorts and eco-lodges can appropriately communicate their sustainability efforts to their stakeholders in globally accepted formats such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Our goal was to create a blueprint that not only records what has been done but also serves as a strategic tool for the hospitality and tourism industry at large to enhance their sustainability credentials and create competitive and investor advantage”.

The lodge’s social initiatives are equally impressive. With 50 per cent of its workforce comprising minorities, 20 per cent female employees, and 50 per cent women representation on the board, Chambal Safari Lodge offers extensive training programs, averaging 50 hours per year for every employee.