Kanha: TOFT Representative
TOFT REPRESENTATIVE (KANHA)
JEHAN BHUJWALA - Shergarh Tented Camp
What Jehan thinks about TOFT:
"Wildlife tourism hugely impacts the development of any given area. In our National Parks, tourism and conservation have often been treated as two independent issues; however it is increasingly acknowledged that tourism is a vital tool in conservation. The TOFT programme has arrived at a time when principles in responsible tourism need to be spread, and fast.
One of the unique features about TOFT is its emphasis on drawing together the various goals of accommodation providers, tour operators and thousands of travellers, and uniting them together in their shared mission to promote sustainability. This collective voice will strengthen the campaign’s objectives, and will become the only acceptable way forward.
There is a great deal that can be done to protect the fragile environments and communities that we either visit or inhabit. TOFT is an excellent start for us at the ground level where we can all work together to ensure that the services we provide are responsible and sensitive to our future ."
You can contact Jehan at enquiries@shergarh.com
NEELESH AGARWAL
What Neelesh thinks about TOFT:
"We started conservation in Kanha way back in 1990 when there were only two lodges. As time passed the place got crowded with lodges & too many tourists. Then people starting realizing how they can contribute in terms of local employment, conservation and so on. What i noticed everyone wanted to be a responsible lodge owner but what was missing is the leadership & platform?
TOFT when came it not only created an atmosphere but also increased the awareness & the need of being responsible. I feel the correct leadership & the correct platform will always help the conservation work keep going.
TOFT should take up as a project & should guide to all the lodge owners in Kanha to harvest rain water as what i foresee that in coming days there is going to be an acute water shortage. We have already installed one unit of bore well water re charge unit."