Explore Nature with Sustainable Travel
Discover eco-friendly adventures and wildlife experiences.
Explore Nature with Sustainable Travel
Discover eco-friendly adventures and wildlife experiences.
Discover Monsoon Retreats
About Me
I am Subish S, an alumni from Wildlife Institute of India with 13 plus years’ experience in Wildlife Conservation @ Ecotourism. A Nature enthusiast, who believes in the potential of Responsible and Sustainable Tourism for bringing community oriented conservation.
Subish S has completed his MA Communication from Bharathiyar University and another post- graduation in MSc Wildlife Science from Wildlife Institute of India. In his Master dissertation, he did an assessment on the recreational value of Periyar tiger reserve and how ecotourism is influencing the conservational attitude of local communities. After his graduation, he was actively working with local communities and has even developed a sustainable tourism model concept called Monsoon Retreats Ecostay for promoting local biodiversity conservation in 2013. He was also instrumental in forming a conversation oriented tourism organization called the Living Earth. It is a responsible travel enterprise, committed to setup a replicable model of climate resilient community conservation. With less harmful construction techniques, it established a carbon neutral Eco stay in an agroecosystem that ensures organic farming, food security, multiple livelihood options, conservation of native flora and fauna, living lab facility while supporting local community. The Living Earth has joined hands with a number of agricultural farms, farm-stays, homestays and resorts and helping them to convert into sustainable properties following the Eco stay model. In these properties, firstly, biodiversity assessments are initiated with the help of owners and volunteers and data is entered on India biodiversity portal, a partner of the Living Earth; secondly, apiculture is initiated to enhance bee diversity and crop yield meanwhile giving the box ownership and respective income away to destitute women in the local community; thirdly, orchid friendly tourism, an initiative to conserve native orchids through setting up orchid trails are being done. He has designed a river conservation tourism package for learning, conservation and restoration of river Periyar with local communities throughout the course of river.
Our Mission
At Monsoon Retreats Ecostay, we are committed to promoting responsible tourism that respects nature and supports local communities. Our mission is to provide unforgettable travel experiences while ensuring the preservation of wildlife and natural habitats.
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What we stand for?
The Model envisages the basic principle of sustainable tourism by implementing the concept of living in harmony with nature through regenerative tourism with active participation of stakeholders at
grassroot level through ecosystem restoration aimed at biodiversity conservation and the promotion of low-carbon tourism practices. Implementation of various components of this conservation-
oriented tourism can be traced from the number of properties (homestays and farm stays), who adapted such practise in various tourism destinations at Idukki district. This hybridised eco cum Agro tourism model highlights the importance of microhabitat for various fauna and flora. This refugia
concept can boost various ecotourism practises like bird watching, afforestation, organic farming, apiculture, herpetofauna tourism along with butterfly and dragon fly watch etc and thereby the unit serves as a vital conservation centre of significant ecological value. The model not only act as mere lodging unit but also portrays as a dynamic knowledge hub for
promoting biodiversity conservation. Our activities and programs are designed to engage both visitors and local communities to learn and update themselves on various ecosystem services. Through workshops, webinars, educational programs, and hands-on experiences, guests gain a deeper understanding of environmental issues and learn practical ways to contribute to positive change. This innovative model not only promotes environmental stewardship but also fosters a sense of connection and responsibility among travellers and residents. By integrating conservation principles into everyday practices and experiences, these units empower individuals to make meaningful contributions to the well-being of the planet.
Projects envisaged
At this current phase, Monsoon Retreats is dedicated to species recovery programs, including the establishment of an amphibian conservation park aimed at raising awareness about the ecological and economic significance of amphibians and creating an ecosystem conducive to their thriving in human-modified landscapes. Our collaboration with the San Diego County Orchid Society for the conservation of endemic orchids through Orchid Friendly Tourism initiative, With Wildlife Trust of India for the species recovery program for amphibian conservation, promoting natives honey bee for
pollination and association with the Responsible Tourism Mission Kerala for promoting ethical and sustainable tourism highlights our commitment towards nature conservation.
What we intend to achieve
The Western Ghats, renowned as a biodiversity hotspot, faces substantial threats due to rapid and unscientific infrastructure development, forest encroachment, land use changes, and extensive pesticide use. As a result, our biodiversity is undergoing a dramatic decline, with many endemic
species now classified as threatened. Given the global significance of our mission, community- oriented conservation efforts like ours are crucial for preserving the diversity and vibrancy of our planet. By fostering a deeper connection to nature and promoting sustainable practices, we aim to create a more resilient and harmonious relationship between humanity and the environment. The model initiative plays a pivotal role in environmental conservation along with other sustainable development goals and can be easily replicated in other homestays and farm stays across the region. In the Era of Climate change and species loss, this responsible tourism initiative has the potential to convert each tourism units as a refugia for local biodiversity and the host community as the ambassador for local biodiversity conservation and tourism or clients as a channel to support such noble conservation efforts.
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