Latest Posts

Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) to become Ecotourism Destination

Published by Mishka

It’s great news for wild-life lovers and tiger enthusiasts in India and all over the world. Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi’s recent announcement that the government was keen on turning the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) into an exclusive ecotourist destination has been received with great excitement and enthusiasm.

tiger reserveImage via: Telegraph

Spread over nearly 900 square kilometers, VTR is located in Bihar’s West Champaran District and near Nepal’s famous Shahi Chitwan Park. Although best known for its tiger population, Valmiki Tiger Reserve is rich in other forms of wildlife as well, including the wild dog, Indian civet, leopard, hyenas, sloth bear, deer, sambar, nilgai, cheetal, python, wolf, jungle cat, Indian bison, langur, black buck and the single-horned rhinoceros. Read More

5 Beautiful Eco Resorts Using Renewable Technologies

Published by Catherine

Some time ago, the choice of real eco resorts and lodges was limited to the Amazon jungle or remote locations in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nowadays the modern traveller is spoilt for choice with an abundance of environmentally responsible and sustainable locations to choose from. Here we present five of the top eco resorts worldwide that boast some of the best renewable technologies, making them true green stays.

1. Umlani Bushcamp, South Africa

umlani
The Umlani Bushcamp provides the authentic South African experience within the framework of sustainable tourism and environmental responsibility. Part of the Kruger National Park, the owners have made a concentrated effort to ensure the materials used in the construction of the camp remain true to the surroundings. With experienced staff on site to give guests the best understanding of the local area, including the abundant wildlife, the Umlani Bushcamp is a wonderful choice for those wanting a traditional African feel. With 100% recycling, lead-free paint, organically grown vegetables and water conservation policies the lodge is committed to reducing its footprint. A massive 70% of the energy used at the lodge is generated through solar power, which provides hot water throughout the year. By staying at Umlani guests can be assured they are doing their bit for responsible tourism. Read More

The Other Way to Machu Picchu

Published by Mishka

panorama machu picchuImage: Martin St-Amant

The land of the Inca, home to the magnificent condor, Peru has held traveller’s fascinations for centuries, and it’s no wonder considering the country contains some of the world’s most amazing sights – both natural and manmade.

The golden hues of the Atacama Desert rival the emerald green of the Amazonian rainforests which, in turn, contrast with the shimmering brilliance of the ice-clad Andes. When it comes to human achievements, the mysterious Nasca lines vie for attention with the ancient fortress of Kuelap. And yet, the brightest diamond – the veritable Kohinoor among tourist attractions – in this nation filled with kaleidoscopic curiosities is, without doubt, Machu Picchu. Read More

Best Eco Escapes in Australia: From Luxury to Budget

Published by Linda McCormick

Boasting some of the best eco lodges in the world, Australia has a range of green getaways to suit all budgets. From exploring rainforests with indigenous Aboriginal people to nursing orphaned joeys at award-winning conservation centres, the land of Dreamtime offers more than just beach babes at Bondi.

1. Paradise Bay Eco Escape, South Long Island, Whitsunday Islands

best eco hotels

Built on the edge of an island in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, Paradise Bay Eco Escape incorporates the ideals of an environmentally-responsible development without giving up the trimmings of a secluded luxury resort. Open to only 16 guests at any one time the owners believe that to be sustainable means imposing as little as possible on the surrounding area. Read More

northumberlandia

Giant Green Goddess Growing in England

Published by Catherine

Crop circles are so last season. If you want to see something really interesting in the green fields of England in the coming years then you’ll need to head to the little known area of Northumberland in the United Kingdom. The gentlemen amongst you may be pleased to know that there you’ll find a lady with rather large breasts lying in a field.

northumberlandia

Nope, it’s not Katie Price AKA Jordan, but in fact a fantastic piece of art, made from soil and all things green. Aimed for completion in 2013, this ‘sculpture’ is the brainchild of Charles Jencks, who has cleverly engineered the design of this large earthen lady to allow all and sundry to tramp along her spine. Aristocrat Hon. Matthew Ridley is pleased to back the project on his land, and it will be a green triumph with art and landscape combined like never before. Read More

eco-friendly festivals

7 Best Green Festivals in the World

Published by Mishka

Festival season is well on its way in the UK, a country renowned for some of the best niche festivals on the planet. Many party people plan their whole year around their favourite festival, encouraging friends to come from far and wide to attend the mayhem. But they’re not the only country in the world to host some great hoedowns, especially of the green variety.

As people are becoming more aware of the effects large festivals can have on the environment, organisers and attendees are rallying together to ensure their festival has little impact on the usually glorious surroundings. Festivals the world over are adopting more sustainable tactics, or dedicating entire festivals to being green. Here we share some of the best we’ve discovered from around the globe. If you’re in their neck of the woods while on your travels, why not get a ticket and join the festivities? Read More

8 Best Green Travel Guides

Published by Linda McCormick

Written by Prachi Ahmed

If you’re a traveller who gets upset when you see beautiful natural areas spoiled for the sake of tourism, or think about the downsides of staying in a large resort with a huge carbon footprint, then maybe it’s time to look for travel alternatives. With the right green travel guides, anyone who’s environmentally-conscious can plan a fantastic vacation that fits their ethical and environmental principles. If you’re trying to plan a green getaway, but haven’t quite decided on where to go yet, why not check out some of the great eco travel guides available. Read More

ecotourism holidays

Top Tips for Choosing an Excellent Eco Travel Company

Published by Linda McCormick

Images: Maurisun, mikaku and Matthieu Aubry

Over the last 20 years or so, ecotourism has become the buzz word in travel. The concept, which points towards tourism without any damaging impact on cultural diversity and the environment, makes everyone feel good. When travellers know that they are contributing positively to the preservation of the environment and cultural heritage of their holiday destination, and travel companies know that they are facilitating responsible tourism, it is a win-win situation for everyone involved. So much so that this term is being flagrantly abused by less scrupulous travel businesses, who proudly announce their green credentials without taking any tangible steps towards greening their ventures at all. The branding benefits for them are too good to pass up.

However, it would be wrong to dismiss the entire ecotourism industry as a commercial scam. There are travel companies out there that genuinely care for the environment and the eco concept. True, it is hard to fish them out, but it can be done as long as you know what to look for. Read More

3 Best Green Travel Water Bottles

Published by Linda McCormick

Few travellers are ever without a trusty water bottle at their side, and more often than not they’re made of plastic, which we know by now is a bit of a problem for the planet. But, depending on where you’re travelling, buying water in anything but a plastic bottle is surprisingly difficult. So to avoid the problem of using a disposable plastic bottle altogether why not plan ahead and go for something more durable instead? Below are a few we’ve found online that never fail to impress. It’s up to you which one best fits your needs.

1. Katadyn Exstream Purifier Bottle

While some self-filtering water bottles simply filter the water at the source, this little beauty is meant to be able to kill off 99.99% of water-born viruses and bacteria present, making it ideal for those trips to far away places where even the bottled water is less than perfect. The filters can cleanse up to 26 gallons of water before they need to be changed. Read More

Shark Fin Soup Still High on the Menu

Published by Linda McCormick
shark finning

Image: Gunther Deichmann

The New York Times’ Green section reports that despite a 2001 pledge by the world’s top shark-fishing nations to cut back on their catches, little has been done to conserve shark populations.

Around 73 million sharks are slaughtered every year solely for their fins, which are seen as a delicacy in many Asian countries. The fins are also thought to have medicinal properties, so are used widely in Chinese medicine, as well as being on many menus.

sharkfinsoup

Shark fin soup. Image: avlxyz

Almost 80 percent of shark catches are carried out by just 20 countries with Indonesia, India, Taiwan, Argentina, and surprisingly, Spain at the top of the list for catches.

Wildlife trade monitoring group Traffic and the Pew Environment Group recently found that a decade after a declaration by member nations of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to develop a management and conservation strategy to protect shark stocks was approved, only 13 of the top 20 shark-catching nations has developed an action plan to safeguard the severely dwindling species.

shark fins for chinese medicine

shark fins for chinese medicine

It’s all about supply and demand. If people stopping wanting it, demand will dwindle, along with millions of needless shark deaths.

Would you try, or have you tried shark-fin soup? And if you have, was it worth it?