A wide gate opens into a four-acre forest farm, where flaming orange blooms of a palash tree greet guests at the entrance. It’s late evening in Gujarat’s Gir region, and the sun dips towards the horizon, giving way to a crisp February breeze. On one side, rows of 50 heirloom tomato varieties are fenced off to keep spotted deer from breaking in; on the other, tall sorghum shoots attract birds such as yellow-throated sparrows.
“It took two years of trial and error to shape this food forest, but we’re finally approaching an ecological model where diverse flora and fauna thrive within the landscape,” says Saniya Malhotra, an ecology architect and permaculture designer who trains local farmers to maximise yields. “The goal is a self-sustaining system inspired by natural forests. We’ve seen about 52 bird species such as the black kite, long-billed vulture, and purple sunbird return to the area.”
Woods at Sasan
With 1,000 trees across 150 species, including custard apple and sweet neem, alongside rotational crops such as turmeric and fenugreek, the farm yields 700 kilos of vegetables annually. Its produce sustains the kitchens of the abutting Woods at Sasan, India’s first regenerative hotel certified by Regenerative Travel, a New York-based booking agency that evaluates its 35+ members on employee well-being, carbon footprint, local sourcing, and immersive guest experiences. The online platform co-founded by Chinese-American entrepreneur Amanda Ho curates independently owned, eco-luxury hotels with a strong commitment to social and environmental impact — three of which are located in India.
Regenerative travel has been around for years, but the COVID-19 pandemic amplified the need for greener, smarter, and less crowded tourism. “Through our network, education programmes, and regional events [summits focused on using tourism as a tool to combat climate change], we’re driving a shift where tourism restores ecosystems, empowers communities, and celebrates heritage,” says Ho, who recently hosted a regenerative retreat for international creatives at the property.
Amanda Ho
Stringent checklists include commitment to environmental stewardship, social equity, and cultural integrity. Properties are measured on efforts to reduce environmental impact, adopt circular economy practices, and transparently reduce carbon footprints. A standout example is Alladale Wilderness Reserve in Scotland. Spanning 23,000 hectares, the property leads rewilding efforts in the Highlands, having planted nearly one million trees, restored peatlands, reintroduced red squirrels, and launched education programmes for local youth.
When tourists turn conservationists
India’s sustainable tourism market, valued at USD $26.01 million in 2022, is projected to reach $151.88 million by 2032, according to the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India. Unlike sustainable travel, which minimises harm, regenerative travel actively improves destinations for lasting impact.
“In green travel, you’re still a tourist, but in regenerative travel, you become a participant,” says Vijay Dhasmana, an environmentalist and self-taught ecologist specialising in rewilding work that restores indigenous flora and fauna to degraded landscapes. His most significant project is transforming a 380-acre abandoned mining site on the outskirts of Gurugram into the Aravalli Biodiversity Park. Dhasmana points to the Thar Desert as an example. People visit for its sandy landscapes but often overlook the local species of flaura and fauna threatened by windmill projects. “Awareness isn’t enough to move the needle. Travellers must find ways to get involved, to become conservationists,” he adds.
Vijay Dhasmana
When the 38-key Woods at Sasan opened in 2018, its 16-acre mango orchard remained intact, and today, 280 trees dot the property. “Biophilic design [which incorporates natural elements into the built environment] guided our architecture,” says founder Maulik Bhagat. Guests are encouraged to participate in farming and planting trees, while also learning about the agricultural practices from an onsite horticulturist. The resort’s Community Development team has planted over 4,000 trees across 21 villages to conserve wild forest species such as peepul, teak, moringa, palash, and Indian gooseberry. A standout initiative is the mobile community library, which travels to 13 villages with over 2,300 books, fostering literacy.
Guests interact with local artisans at Woods at Sasan
“Regenerative travel is a relatively new term, but it has existed for years in India. Earlier, people lacked funds to maintain heritage homes, and the only way to keep these structures from crumbling was to renew and regenerate them as tourism entities. And much of it happened unconsciously.”Shoba RudraFounder of RARE India, a consultancy that partners with concept hotels with a strong focus on conscious travel
Shoba Rudra
Where leopards are king
While Woods at Sasan has gained global recognition for its regenerative efforts, it is part of a broader movement across India. In Rajasthan’s Jawai, Varawal Leopard Camp exemplifies community-driven conservation. Unlike other wildlife zones, Jawai is governed by its locals. Conservationists patrol the area, tracking the big cats and sharing data with the forest department. Owner Pushpendra Singh Ranawat, whose family pioneered leopard safaris in 1997, has introduced quieter jeeps, banned guests from leaving vehicles or approaching leopard rocks (where the animals reside), enforced silent phone modes, and implemented strict no-littering policies.
Pushpendra Singh Ranawa
| Photo Credit:
Rahul Takshak
The 100-acre property maintains a low footprint with just four tents, set away from leopard territories. “Post-pandemic, we added 10 rooms but removed them in 2023 to attract only those seeking Jawai’s quietude and genuinely interested in wildlife,” he says, pointing to a move that echoes regenerative practices. Safaris run year-round but are strictly regulated, with night activities banned as leopards descend to prowl the lowlands.
Varawal Leopard Camp
Over-tourism remains a concern in regenerative travel, notes Ranawat. “Despite 11 safari zones, most vehicles crowd into just five or six for the best sightings.” In response, villages have begun charging fees and capping vehicle numbers. “Hotels must follow suit,” he insists. “Panchayats should restrict NOC [no objection certificates] in Varawal village and guide investors to other areas.” Currently, there are 65 NOCs in Jawai, with 65 more issued across its 11 zones. Ranawat believes each zone should ideally have no more than 10 NOCs.
Tourists at the leopard rocks
In the Western Ghats
In Kerala’s Marayoor region, lush forests of the Western Ghats shelter The Mudhouse Marayoor, a boutique resort pioneering barefoot luxury. Its traditional mud cottages and tree house, built with locally sourced materials from a 15-kilometre radius, reflect regional architectural styles. “Our structures are a collaborative effort between the native tribal community and our team,” says co-founder Deepak Suresh. Nearly 90% of employees are locals, mostly single and elderly women — many gaining financial independence for the first time.
Employees at The Mudhouse Marayoor
Mindful of the dolphins
Beyond land conservation, responsible tourism is reshaping waterways, too. Floating hotels have long struggled with sustainability, but Antara Cruises — also recognised by Regenerative Travel — is setting new standards. Sailing along the Ganga through Bhitarkanika National Park, India’s second-largest mangrove forest, it works with local stakeholders along the cruise’s route to preserve cultural heritage.
An Antara cruise ship sailing along the Ganga
Specialising in low-impact, low-volume sailing, Antara’s largest vessel accommodates just 56 guests. “We prioritise minimising our environmental footprint, especially for marine life,” says founder and chairman Raj Singh. Advanced onboard systems ensure zero discharge, with oil separators preventing river contamination. To protect aquatic ecosystems, particularly the endangered Gangetic dolphins, all ships are fitted with electronic deterrents and hospital-grade silencers to reduce noise pollution.
With travellers embracing more purpose-driven holidays and experiences tailored to support local communities and wildlife in the places they visit, it’s time to expand the scope of regenerative travel in India. Especially in the country’s many biodiversity hotspots.
The Mumbai-based journalist writes on food, art, culture, and travel.
Published – April 10, 2025 05:55 pm IST