Best 8 Eco-Friendly Resorts in India for Stunning Vacations

Eco Resort in Palakkad, India © Syed Shah / Pexels

People are solely responsible for the constant reckless activities in our environment. Environmentalists are concerned about protecting and preserving the natural environment, it should also be. The hospitality industry in the world is such that it has damaged natural resources for building a hotel business. But now the concept of eco-friendly tourism in India is changing, with people showing interest in enjoying holidays in eco-friendly resorts, rather than staying in multi-star luxury hotels.

Eco resorts in India are not luxurious - not at all! Both hotels and consumers are becoming aware of the concept of ecotourism. Which are getting build from recycled construction with active steps to reduce carbon footprint. Eco-friendly Hotels are making continuous efforts to meet the following criteria to eventually provide innovative retreats - dependent on natural environment, contribution to environmental training programs, economic boost to the local community, significant contribution to conservation. However, the resorts that meet these prerequisites in India are also located in the most picturesque parts, and their experience is a great way to have the natural of India.

Here we are sharing the list of some of the best eco resorts in India, although it is certainly not exhaustive. So feel free to give us your suggestions!

Coconut Lagoon - Kumarakom, Kerala

Resort Coconut Lagoon, Kerala © Brian Scoot / Flickr

The 30-acre coconut lagoon is one of the top places to experience Kerala backwaters in Kumarakom which reflects the grandeur of Vembanad Lake. The entire area is surrounded by the waterways of the great Vembanad lake and is accessible only by boat. The Coconut Lagoon is defined by elements with single-roofed houses, coconut trees and water canals, making it a good bet for guests to experience the world's rare. As well as the resort is famous for its vibrant culture, group environment, respect for heritage conservation. The luxuriously beautiful resort villas have been designed and crafted by local artisans that represent traditional homes, with a portion believed to be 400 years old. Which is furnished with wooden furniture and the rooms are decorated with painted artefacts from all over Kerala. Working on the environment-friendly environment, the resort has a composting plant to convert waste into manure. After all, Guests can spend their time to canoeing on the canals, enjoying cruises sunset, short hiking, coconut husking, enjoying Ayurvedic spa, watching kalari wrestling matches in the morning.

Kipling Camp - Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

The Kipling Camp is set up by a family of conservationists at the edge of the famous Kanha National Park in India. This lodge is the perfect place for those who are eager to explore the remote forests and villages of central India. Anne and Bob Wright founded Kipling Camp in 1982 with the motto is "treading softly in the jungle". The area where the resort stands used to be bare farmland, and the camp moved slowly over time, maintaining the atmosphere. The camp works by establishing good relations with the Baiga tribal community through established cooperatives and ideally supports wildlife and forests. This place attracts you for a jungle safari. Although, Langurs and Chital can be seen around the camp almost anytime and are a favourable resident elephant of a camp called Tara, who loves swimming in the river, guests can befriend him.

Camp serves guests their meals arrangements under a tree, in an open courtyard or under a flashing sheet of stars. The camp has 15 two-to-four-room with its own veranda attached. Tourists can take on a tiger-spotting safari and birdwatching tour to enjoy the time. If you are really lucky, you will surely be able to get a glimpse of flying squirrels, mottled wood owl, and a tigers.

SwaSwara - Gokarna, Karnataka

Beautiful Sunrise - SwaSwara © Aftab Chandsha / Unsplash

Situated on the Om beach of Gokarna, the SwaSwara are the center of natural harmony to hear their inner self voice and discover themselves. Where guests start the day with the rhythm of the rolling waves of the sea, the birdsong and the redness rays of the sun. Thereafter, guests can try to 'rebuild' the mind and body by yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic treatment and massage on the beach. SwaSwara is harmonized with the natural culture of the earth and the colors of the sea, a mixture that gives it uniqueness. For a holistic and transformative experience, the Gokarna center is spread over 26 acres, but the built-up area is only 11 acres. The rest of the area is left to maintain the natural ecosystem.

The resort does not offer just one night stay at all. It is a place where Ayurveda embraces healing, yoga, spiritual coaching to reconnect mind and body closer to nature. Starting from 5 nights to 21 nights, offer programs to change you. Guests can spend their time, - by trying out warli painting at the resort's art studio, learning to make pottery, short hiking and learning to cook with chefs. The exterior of resort is amazing is build by local laterite stone and thatched roofs with clay tiles, which is more attractive for Guests.

The Dune, Eco Village and Spa - Puducherry

Dune is not the only hotel! It really records the beginning of the day for the guests in its catalog, with the redness of the sun, the bouncing waves sounds of the sea and the view of the sea sand. Pondicherry is one of the simplest and serene places to spend a vacation holiday near the beach, far away from the fast-paced, noisy atmosphere of the city. This eco-village is an oasis of peace based on the system of organic living, nature, mind, purity of the body.

Spread over 35 acres in the north of the city, the Dune Eco Beach Resort and Spa, which consists of 55 bungalows, is each uniquely built by artists, architects and designers from all over the world. Each room is well-ventilated to deliver eco-friendly and luxury, and low-consumption bulbs, solar water systems, organic linen have been used. It's really amazing. It's surrounded by nature and animals. The food served to guests in the Dune Eco-Village is made up of organic vegetables, which are grown on a seven-acre organic farm in Dune's estate and 500 acres of land by about 4000 farmers. Dune's offers their guests a free bicycle to roam in the property and a 14 meter tall swimming pool for water treatment. This camps are really fun.

Wildernest - Chorla Ghats, Goa

Road leading to Wildernest restruarant and bar, Chorla Ghats, Goa © Ankur Panchbudhe / Flickr

Wildernest Eco Resorts is located at Chorla Ghat at the crossroads of the state boundaries of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra which are spread over 450 acres of forest land. Can see the panoramic view of the Vazra Falls atop the beautiful lush green plains in the Swapnagandha Valley and you can also hear the silence in a magnificent way - It is at an altitude of about 2,625 feet above sea level. This center of nature is a habitat for leopards, sloth bears, tigers, endangered vultures and wild flowers. Well until a few years ago, this haze was marching on the path of forest destruction, when the area was opened for mining.

The lodge has 16 eco-friendly cottages (with views of the valley and forest) built with simple rustic style, forming acacia wooden paneling and tile used for flooring. One thing worth noting - the use of plastic in the resort is prohibited. The resort largely derives a large part of its energy consumption through solar energy, which helps in increasing employment opportunities for the local community. Here, Guests can visit folk dances, village excursions, bonfires, short nature hiking and see nature creatures to make their time worthwhile.

Nimmu House - Leh, Jammu & Kashmir

Nimmu House is an charming eco-resort nestled at an altitude of 10,000 feet in the traditional village of Nimmoo. It is located at a distance of 45 minutes from Leh, the capital of Ladakh. In which few examples of traditional Ladakhi architecture can be seen. The house is a comfy place, this three-story house used to be the home of Rinchen Namgyal Zildar, cousin of the then Ladakhi king, in the 20th century. However, it remained so for many decades. But close to the ancient and untouched mountains, this house was revived or restored in year 2012 by Lobzung Panchok Shamshu, a Ladakhi entrepreneur and a professional traveler, Alexandre Beuan. This symbol of Ladakh's cultural heritage has been secured by opening the resort to visitors with a protected purpose, providing an economic opportunity for the local community.

House resorts is surrounded by a garden of hundreds of apricots, walnuts and apple trees in a complex built over an extension area of 5000 sq m, including two Buddhist temples and a stables, with 30 luxurious rooms for guests' accommodation. With rooms at the resort, you'll also find many furnished tents. The resort primarily derives energy consumption from solar power, and reuses water and bio-degradable waste.

Khem Villas - Ranthambore, Rajasthan

Khem Villa in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve identifies itself as providing peace and tranquility in a luxurious environment. It is a family-owned property on the edge of the National Park, established by Usha and Govardhan Singh Rathore along with Pritam Singh on the outskirts. The camp is built in 12 acres of forest surrounded by lush green trees, beautiful lakes and grasslands. It is common in forest expeditions to see jackals, wild cats, desert foxes, crocodiles, various birds and hyenas in its vicinity. It has become a paradise for bird watchers. However, if you visited the area before 1989, you would only see the empty wasteland here. Indigenous trees and small water bodies were created on the land purchased by Goverdhan and converted the open grassland into a natural habitat for the Visitors.

The resort offers three options for guest accommodation: luxurious eight cottages, seven tents and rooms that are eco-sensitive, built locally sourced materials. The resort uses solar energy for energy consumption, which consists of battery banks that help to bring the use of generators to a minimum level by storing electricity. Vegetables come from its gardens for the food served to guests at Khem Villas. The resort has made itself self-sufficient for its water needs through rainwater harvesting measures. Guests can spend time getting acquainted with local arts and crafts, or enjoy hiking near by River Chambal.

Shaam-e-Sarhad Village Resort - Bhuj, Gujarat

Sham-e-Sarhad - i.e. "Sunset on the Border". The hand-crafted resort by the local community can be seen as an example of the magnificent traditions of local architecture and design. Sham-e-Sarhad Village Resort in Hodka village, 65 km from Bhuj city, has been built under the United Nations Development Program initiative by the Government of India to support rural area tourism and create employment opportunities for the local community people. All spaces are decorated with local talent handicrafts, including the resort's Bhungas - a circular mud hut with conical roofs made of grass thatched, which deal with extreme climates. Bhung remain cool during summer and warm in winter. Family cottages, which are designed for the family group - have two twin beds and an attached bathroom. Apart from these traditional houses, six tents are made of mud clay bricks.

The walls of all the accommodation built at the resort are decorated with block prints, Kutchi paintings, textiles, mirror work and many local crafts. In which mud beds, mud sofas welcome local handicraft upholstery colourful guests. The resort is surrounded by indigenous plant species, and most of the daily perihables used come from local sources. Guests can choose multiple activities during the stay, with scarce enjoyment from indigenous resources. The experience reverberates in the evening when the romance of the rural area mixes the Kutchi folk music in the vocals and rhythms and the aroma of these delectable dishes exert their influence on the senses. You can feel by putting yourself in Rabari, Meghwal and Maldhari communities, there are also visits for excursion to the Camel safaris, Chharid Dhand for bird watching and Rann of Kutch. Please note* - resort open only October-March.