Wilderness Ecostay Discussion with Indrani Chakraborty of Svanir Wilderness
Nestled in the heart of Odisha, India, Svanir Wilderness Ecostay is a unique eco-friendly retreat that offers a harmonious blend of nature and culture.
Recently, the establishment has garnered recognition, winning the TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Award and Outlook Traveler's Homestay of the Year Award (Editor's Choice) for 2023.
One of the most memorable guest stories involves a company that was so captivated by Svanir's love for trees that they decided to carry out their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity there, planting 150 native trees.
The forest department's safari in the Chandaka Dampara Sanctuary, just a stone's throw away, is also accessible through Svanir's pickup and drop-off services at the sanctuary gate.
Svanir Wilderness Ecostay is committed to sustainable tourism, communicating its values by highlighting its eco-friendly features and providing a unique, authentic experience of living close to nature and Odisha's culture.
The property implements several eco-friendly practices, such as rainwater harvesting, maintaining a minimal built-up area, and supporting local village families. The stay is run by a woman-led team, promoting community involvement and sustainable practices.
Svanir's expansion plans are focused on improving the infrastructure of the village and employing more ladies for hospitality. Six village ladies are already employed, and the plan is to involve more villagers in skill development activities like mushroom cultivation and weaving.
Guests are taken around the property to learn about special plants and the benefits that villagers derive from them. They are also encouraged to plant trees during the monsoon season. Svanir buys produce from local farmers, fishermen, and handymen at fair prices and promotes local artisans to guests.
In a commendable effort to support the community, Svanir Wilderness Ecostay is appealing to NGOs, private organisations, or individuals for sponsorships of CSR activities like installing solar panels in villagers' houses or any other activities that would improve the standard of living in the community.
With its commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and cultural immersion, Svanir Wilderness Ecostay stands as a shining example of eco-tourism in Odisha, India.
- In the realm of environmental-science and education-and-self-development, Svanir Wilderness Ecostay encourages visitors to partake in activities promoting sustainable practices.
- The fashion-and-beauty industry, with a focus on eco-friendly lifestyle, can learn from Svanir's commitment to using locally sourced produce and artisanal goods for food-and-drink and home-and-garden sections.
- As Svanir Wilderness Ecostay expands and creates new opportunities for locals in Odisha, the travel sector can take a cue, prioritizing community investment and cultural immersion for tourists.
- The story of the company that carried out its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity at Svanir, planting native trees, can inspire other businesses to consider climate-change initiatives in their CSR programs.
