"The idea was to bring the community together to run something collectively, training people in all aspects of business. Everyone has a role to play, says Manisha. The Village Ways model has captured the attention of the government, too, and we're collaborating on various projects in other states now, which is exciting."
"Village Ways launched in 2005 with just five villages in the reserve, which guests hike between, and now more than 30 villages are involved in different parts of the country, from Madhya Pradesh to Kerala."
"Most accommodation is in small, village-built guesthouses sleeping up to eight, rather than homestays, and money is evenly distributed to everyone from cleaners to porters, with committees making joint decisions."
Kathdhara village in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand, exemplifies responsible tourism through Village Ways, a community-based initiative founded in 2005. The organization operates across 30+ villages nationwide, enabling residents to collectively manage tourism enterprises while maintaining traditional rural life. Accommodation consists of small village-built guesthouses rather than homestays, ensuring equitable income distribution among all community members including cleaners and porters. Village committees make joint decisions regarding operations. The model addresses urban migration by creating sustainable economic opportunities. Government recognition has led to collaborative projects expanding the initiative across multiple states, demonstrating successful integration of tourism development with cultural preservation and community empowerment.
#community-based-tourism #rural-development #himalayan-villages #sustainable-tourism #cultural-preservation
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