Lonely Planet serves green travellers in India

Lonely Planet’s new India guidebook will feature a quick-reference index of sustainable accommodation, tours and experiences to assist responsible travel through the vast subcontinent.

The addition of this GreenDex to the India 13th Edition guidebook enables travellers to easily look up the best green experiences in the country.

A recent Mintel report (2008) on Travel & Tourism intelligence indicated the growing trend of ecotourism in India, ‘alongside traditional offerings of cities, palaces, forts, temples and museums’.

‘We know many readers have a genuine desire to connect with local communities in a positive way,’ Commissioning Editor Suzannah Shwer said. ‘Recommending tours, guesthouses and shops with green practices, such as using solar power or refilling water bottles, helps those travellers find what they want. By popularising ecotourism options, those travellers also help these operators grow their business.’

The 13th Edition of Lonely Planet India guide features some of the best eco-cultural experiences, tips on minimising your environmental impact, and interviews with local green advocates, including:

Homestays in Ladakh Villages – ‘Typically you’ll eat with the family in a traditional kitchen with pots and pans proudly displayed above the Aga-style winter stove, which partly burns from fuel ingeniously made from straw and dried cowpats.’

Saving Uttar Pradesh’s Dancing Bears – ‘The Agra Bear Rescue Facility welcomes small groups of visitors in seeing first hand this important rehabilitiation and conservation work’

Tips to Go Green in Goa –‘Bring your own nonplastic bag along while shopping and try to refill water bottles. The five litre Bisleri water bottle comes with a deposit and are returnable to be reused.’

Interview with ecotour operator in Karnataka – Virupaksha goes about informing his fellow villagers about the benefits of sustainable ecotourism, and hopes that his village will wake to a new and prosperous dawn very soon. ‘This place naturally casts its spell on you,’ he says. ‘With a little bit of organisation, we can extend its charm to many more people, don’t you think?’.

Lonely Planet has been publishing its bestselling guide to India for 27 years – the first book was released in 1981 and the book is now in its 13th edition.

* Free extracts are available on request

* Authors are available for interview

* Free images from the book are also available on request

For further information please contact Bryony Cole Media & Communications Coordinator, bryony.cole@lonelyplanet.com.au