Responsible/Sustainable Tourism
Svasara Jungle Lodge is spread over 10 acres of land; however the family has used only 10% for built-up areas, leaving the rest 90% to regenerate. Originally barren agricultural land, over 4000 native trees and flora were planted over a nine year period creating an indigenous biodiversity resulting in the reforested sanctuary feeling like an extension of the Tadoba Reserve. Thus one can easily spot an array of birds, many reptiles and small mammals like jungle cat and mongoose. The property also maintains a dedicated butterfly habitat to attract butterflies.
The rootedness continues with their relationship with the local community. Most of the staff is from neighbouring villages and besides employment, Svasara engages them by supporting the local schools and education, organising workshops for children, village visits for guests and contributing to welfare projects. Svasara has created an impact directly by installing a RO water purifying machine, ceiling fans, donating school essentials and stationery at the village school. Guests may support any of the initiatives should they wish to. Lodge essentials such as groceries, local produce and bamboo handicrafts are sourced from the community. Female family members of the team are encouraged to supply homemade regional savouries that provides an additional income source. Initiatives as women’s empowerment and alternative livelihood are supported through their partnership with Srijani Foundation. The in-house shop stocks products that are locally sourced, thus guests purchases add to the support of the local community. Svasara forbids the sale of any illegal wildlife products and products that are animal cruelty free.
Regular clean up drives are conducted around the Reserve areas in collaboration with forest guides. Support is given to the forest department as and when needed in the form of cars for patrolling and providing labour for repairs in the park. The walk-through nursery and the native tree trail experience gives an insight and an opportunity to learn about native trees such as Teak (Tectona grandis), Bamboo (Dendrocalamus-strictus), White Siris (Albizia procera), Jamun (Syzigium cumini) and Peepal (Ficus religiosa).
The outdoor dinner venue Teak House at Svasara is modelled after historical Maratha garden pavilions. Wood from old dismantled buildings was used to build it, including the white ‘Allahabad’ roof-tiles. Other locally available materials such as stone have been used thereby reducing the carbon footprint. Herbal and natural cleaning products are used including amenities for the guests and natural plant based mosquito repellents in the form of citronella and marigold. Keeping the cuisine regional allows sourcing of ingredients from the villages nearby and from their organic garden, while food waste is composted.
Water conservation is integral to Svasara’s ethos. Educational materials for guests are kept in rooms highlighting the efforts as well as encouraging guests to do the same. Water saving devices and faucets are in place such as the dual-flush feature reducing the usage by 60% per flush, regular maintenance to check for leaks and no bathtubs are not provided. Although there is a swimming pool, it makes use of an advanced eco-friendly filtration system. Water is harvested, reused and recycled in the form of water for the garden – that doesn’t require too much as indigenous plants have been planted that thrive well in the region.
Energy efficiency is maintained with use of LED bulbs and appliances. A 33 KW solar grid provides 50% of the Lodge’s energy needs, with plans to further augment the capacity of the plant. Staff are trained and guests are encouraged to save electricity. The room-key system is provided ensuring lights, fans, etc. are not left on when the room is not in use. Plastic use has been reduced drastically by removing plastic bottled water for guests and replaced with sterile reusable bottles filled with safe filtered drinking water; and by doing away with single use bathroom amenities being replaced with dispensers. If required, bottled water is provided only on request and at a huge premium. For picnics, steel cutlery is used and strict guidelines have been put in place to disallow plastic usage at the Lodge.
