Central India Buddhist heritage tour

Planet

a) Our vehicles are of BS-IV standard (equivalent to Euro 4) emission norms. It is currently the national emission standard followed in India. The drivers are trained to drive you safely, and limit the emissions by responsible driving
b) The cities you will visit already have immense pressure on their resources because of population. The villages covered on this tour are remote and do not have adequate waste management systems in place. Keeping this in mind, we provide alternatives to plastic bottles and carry bags at the starting of your tour. It eliminates the use of mineral water bottles and gives you safe drinking water. The funds from this tour are also invested in replacing plastic carry bags with alternate solutions like cloth
c) Locals who are trained in responsible tourism are carefully chosen depending upon their passion about environmental conservation. Your accommodations are mostly homestays which keep the consumption of power, water and food under limits. CFL & LED lighting is preferred over tungsten bulbs to reduce usage of electricity
d) Raw material for cooking is sourced locally. The meals you get are local, thus reducing the cost and environmental impact of transporting it from long distance
e) Wood fire in villages is replaced by cooking gas to reduce the air pollution and cutting of trees

People

a) We execute small groups of 2-10 people to be conscious about the consumption of natural and human resources of the village. Since we are also visiting small communities in cities, we want to be conscious that we don't overwhelm them with our presence
b) We are providing direct access to the artisans of handicrafts via tourism, where you can buy (if you choose to)
c) Madhya Pradesh has limited water supply through its rivers. Your tour helps in supporting community by building toilets which promote hygiene and minimize use of water. It also helps in providing safe drinking water to the locals. Your tour also supports the craftsmen who are involved in clay work. You will be visiting them and will have an opportunity to make your own souvenir
d) The homestays are not run by front desk staff, but by the families or members of village communities themselves. The earnings go directly to the locals in a fair distribution manner
e) We encourage interaction to eliminate any stereotypes and promote mutual respect between you and the locals
f) Your taxis on this tour are managed by women entrepreneurs and are driven by women in Mumbai (Yes, it is a big thing). We have specifically chosen to include women drivers to provide them encouragement, exposure and income.