People, landscape and sustainable tourism - a visionary approach to conservation

Khem Villas, Ranthambhore

The Rathore family lie at the heart of an inspiring story of landscape restoration, sustainable tourism and visionary community support which have helped to transform Ranthambhore’s fortunes over the years into a conservation success story.

Long before Khem Villas became a jungle camp, Dr Goverdhan Singh Rathore, son of legendary Fateh Singh Rathore, Ranthambhore’s most celebrated Director, transformed 25 acres of once ravaged desert land on which the lodge now stands into a thriving wilderness haven. Extensive planting with indigenous shrubs and trees and six lakes dug to harvest monsoon rains, have created a mosaic of forest, open grasslands and watering holes. The grounds are now home to more than 180 species of birds, 45 butterfly species, crocodiles and a host of mammals for guests to enjoy.

A natural oasis created with extensive indigenous planting and six water bodies home to an abundance of wildlife

More than 600,000 trees have been planted in villages around Ranthambhore with support from Dr Rathore’s foundation, the Prakratik Society. Farmers have been provided with seedlings to grow their own wood plantations rather than cutting down the existing forest. In addition, over 600 households have benefitted from biogas digesters for cooking to improve lives and replace wood previously collected from the forest. Support for animal husbandry has seen an improvement in milk yields from fewer stall-fed cattle, an additional measure to reduce grazing pressures on the park.

The Society works closely with Tiger Watch, an NGO started by Goverdhan’s father to find alternative employment for the Moghiya community, for centuries poachers, with tourism bringing alternative income opportunities. Tiger Watch’s Village Wildlife Guardians programme, run with Goverdhan’s support, with TOFTigers a founding funder, is providing intelligence and changing local perceptions to prevent poaching and wildlife/human conflict.

Mittal Gala, one of Khem Villas three in-house naturalists.

A multi-specialty hospital and outreach medical camps run by the Prakratik Society for Ranthambhore’s poor are also helping to change poaching habits with Tiger Watch providing free support where possible. For those not yet converted, the Society operates a legal cell to help prosecute poachers and to train and support forest officers.

The Society’s Fateh Public School serving 400 pupils aims to change perceptions and instill pride in natural heritage amongst the locality’s young people alongside providing a quality education. Khem Villas’ world-class naturalists lend their expertise to the school and the community to spread conservation awareness besides inspiring lodge visitors. Mittal Gala, joint runner-up in TOFTigers 2016 Lodge Naturalist of the Year Award, is Ranthambhore’s only female naturalist.

Students from the Fateh Public School taking part in a wildlife conservation programme

The combined efforts are paying off. Tigers have recovered since 2003, from eleven individuals to over 70 wild tigers today living alongside the Reserve’s local communities and inspiring visitors. A win-win for conservation, communities and the local economy.

…helping to clear garbage and plastic from Ranthambhore Park. Photo: Padmini Singh

Taking part in a Bird Club formed by Khem Villas’ naturalists.

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Conserving water

Encouraging staff and guests to save water through notices is basic good practice. Monitoring water use, sub-metering and setting targets are additional ways to save water. Pictured here a notice in Mela Kothi, Chambal to encourage guests to re-use towels.

Svasara Jungle Lodge encourages its guests to reuse towels and linen as part of their approach to saving and recycling water. Read case study.

Guest communication in rooms and bathrooms at Pench Tree Lodge and other Pugdundee Safari lodges explains the need for water conservation and encourages guests to reuse towels and bed sheets

Water saving notice at Paatlidun Safari Lodge

Aerated taps and other aerated or low-flow faucets can save up to 75% of water used by regular versions.

Dual-flush toilets, in use by numerous PUG rated lodges, are also positive for saving water. The best models use only 3-6 litres per flush compared to 10-13 litres in single flush models while still achieving equal or superior performance.