In a recent interview with Travel+Leisure India & South Asia, Akshat Jain, co-founder of GlampEco, revealed all that goes behind setting up the country’s first eco-friendly glamping stay.
GlampEco is a glamping destination in the Himalayas situated in the Hamta village of Himachal Pradesh, with “umpteen measures and policies in place” to be an eco-friendly glampsite, hosting guests in India’s first geodesic domes and a traditional mud house.
Akshat Jain, co-founder of GlampEco, is a mountaineer and filmmaker turned sustainability champion. Together with his wife, Shilpi Rawat, and three other co-founders, Kush Tevatia and his wife and Swagata Paul, they envisioned creating a successful, luxurious, and sustainable place.
In a recent interview with Travel+Leisure, Akshat said, “With over 40 years of combined experience in the hospitality and service industry, our main challenge was to design something environmentally friendly, which was essential considering the untouched nature of the location.”
He continues, “To achieve this, we developed geodesic domes suspended on cantilever structures, leaving minimal impact on the ground. We prioritised eco-friendliness throughout, incorporating solar water heaters, solar electricity generation, and biodigesters that convert sewage into grey water and methane gas for reuse. We also minimised the use of plastic, implemented waste segregation practices, and actively supported the local community by generating income and empowering locals through various initiatives.
“Our aim is to enrich guest experiences while preserving the land and empowering the community through sustainable practices and conservation efforts.”
“Despite being a remote camping site, we ensured our guests experienced the utmost luxury, whilst offering eco-friendly yet comfortable accommodations and exclusive, high-quality experiences that integrate the local community. From tours guided by trained locals to indulging in local cuisine at local dhabas, our aim is to enrich guest experiences while preserving the land and empowering the community through sustainable practices and conservation efforts.”
Akshat also revealed the challenges of creating India’s first eco-friendly glampsite, citing ‘finding and retaining skilled manpower in this remote area’ as a significant hurdle. He noted that creating infrastructure and processes that aligned with their eco-friendly goals required ‘continuous R&D’, as the extreme environment ‘tested the durability and effectiveness of sustainable solutions’.
Located in Hampta, home to monsoon clouds, snow-covered mountains and lush green valleys, the site resides at an altitude of 2,700 meters.
Akshat said, “These challenges shaped our journey, and our determination to overcome the setbacks has made our sustainable glamping site a reality. “
