Sustainable tourism in Visakhapatnam: Travel beyond the checklist
The article explores the growing trend of sustainable tourism in Visakhapatnam, India, focusing on initiatives that prioritize local participation, environmental preservation, and immersive experiences. It highlights Pravaham, an eco-stay built with local materials and promoting slow living, and EcoHikes, which emphasizes small group sizes to minimize ecological impact.
Why it matters
Sustainable tourism helps preserve natural ecosystems and local cultures, offering travelers more authentic experiences while mitigating the negative impacts of mass tourism. It promotes responsible travel and supports local economies in an environmentally conscious manner.
Tourism is often measured in arrivals, room nights and destinations covered. A quieter shift is taking place in the way some travellers experience a place: with smaller groups, local participation and closer attention to the ecosystems they enter.
In the Eastern Ghats and along the Visakhapatnam coast, a handful of nature-based initiatives are building experiences around that approach. Their work spans an eco-stay near Araku, guided treks, tidepool walks and scuba diving. Each operates differently, but the common thread is an attempt to make visitors more observant and reduce the pressure that tourism can place on fragile landscapes.
At Pravaham, an eco-stay in Mettavalasa village near Araku, sustainability is built into the property, quite literally. Founder V Samved says nearly 90% of its construction uses locally available soil, hay, timber and bamboo. Mud, cob and hydrated lime plaster help regulate indoor temperatures naturally, reducing dependence on artificial cooling.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in