| We engage in a variety of activities that help man co-exist with nature, such as employing local talent, buying village produce, assisting in the sale of village handicraft and keeping a close eye on our forests and helping the Forest Department safeguard it. |
 |
| Protected areas including National Parks and Sanctuaries are under tremendous pressure from the human habitation located on the peripheries of these wildlife reserves - be it through cattle grazing, collection of firewood, bio-mass and other forest resources for commercial purpose, or even being party to poaching. The only way of reducing or removing such pressures is to create economic development and opportunities for these habitants outside the protected areas and thereby reducing human pressures on forest ecosystems. Responsible ecotourism is the most effective conservation tool that balances the utilitarian demands we place on our environment with the ethical need to preserve wildlife. It does this by maintaining a basic and healthy respect for all living things, be it flora, fauna or mankind. A win-win situation in all. |
|
| The forests, wildlife and natural wealth are the epicenter of our business. As initiators we seek to create awareness among our guests to be a part of this rewarding and wild experience that embraces nature the ecotourism way. |
|
| We work with a responsible aim to conserve the environment and ecology thereby minimizing the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment. |
|
|
Ecotourism practices at The Serai Kabini can be broadly categorized into the following
Community Initiatives
| Community initiatives follow a two pronged approach - Social as well as Economic welfare - which help reduce human dependence on forest ecosystems. |
|
|
Direct Influences:
|
|
| Staffing: 90% of the staff at The Serai Kabini have been recruited from the local village, giving due importance to local community development. Prerequisites are a willingness to learn and a hospitable attitude. |
|
|
Indirect Influences:
|
|
|
Creating a marketplace: Produce such as vegetables, poultry, dairy and farm products are sourced from the local villages surrounding the resort.
|
|
| Community welfare programs: |
|
 |
We work closely with The Kabini Foundation, a local welfare organization in the region which helps set up village dairies with high milk yielding hybrid cows, conducts health camps, and trains villagers in job oriented skill sets |
|
|
Again through the foundation, contributions have been made towards better equipping the forest guards; scholarships were given to hundreds of children including contributions towards school fees, transport passes, books, carry bags etc. |
|
|
We have installed solar street lamps in the nearby villages, especially near watering pumps where women gather late at night to gather water. |
|
|
We financially supports “Namma Sangha”, an organization that works towards providing LPG gas connections to villagers residing near protected areas thereby reducing firewood or bio-mass collection from Bandipur National Park |
|
Environmental Initiatives
| Eco-tourism programs go beyond government norms and regulations. Its environmental initiatives revolve around three basic principles that lay the foundation of an eco-friendly environment - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. |
|
| Solid waste management: |
|
| The solid waste management system was introduced to ensure reduction and responsible degeneration of wastes. |
|
| Responsible plastic and waste disposal: |
|
| The Serai Kabini maintains its stand on minimal use of plastics. However, a plastic free zone is unrealistic in day to day operations; so such wastes are accumulated and disposed responsibly in areas where they are reused or recycled. |
|
| Wastewater treatment plant: |
|
| At The Serai Kabini one of the main challenges considering our location on the riverbank was the management of wastewater and how to safeguard the Kabini River and ecosystem from contamination. |
|
| Eco-friendly generators: |
|
| The power generators meet the most stringent noise levels specified by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF). |
|
| Bio degradable bin-liners: |
|
The bin-liners used in rooms are eco-friendly made by Earthsoul.
|
|
| Earthsoul materials bio-degrade at a rate similar to pure cellulose (natural waste plant matter). Mater-Bi is not only a degradable plastic, but also a Bioplastic material based on GM-free corn starch, vegetable oils and biodegradable polyesters. Therefore the material is easily biodegradable to water, carbon-dioxide and residual organic carbon (compost), leaving no harmful residues |
|
| Eco-tourer vehicles: |
|
| The Serai Kabini safari vehicles are state-of-the-art vehicles designed to offer the safari enthusiast the best comfort and view of the forest. These diesel vehicles are also low on noise emissions and do not interrupt the jungle calls and vibes. |
|
| Recycled Paper: |
|
| The Serai Kabini uses recycled paper in all its branding communication materials and guest handouts. |
|
|
