Sustainability at Banjaar Tola
At every &Beyond lodge we seek out small (and sometimes not so small) but meaningful ways of putting our values into action every day. Each lodge supports the conservation of wildlife and contributes to its neighbouring communities in one way or another. In addition, we seek to limit our impact in terms of fossil fuels, the use of renewable energy, water and waste management, and recycling.
Current Sustainability projects at Banjaar Tola
A Remarkable Discovery
David Raju, one of our expert naturalists at Banjaar Tola Kanha Tented Camp, has made an extraordinary discovery in Kanha National Park. He spotted what turned out to be a new population of the near extinct large billed reed warbler – an elusive bird that had not been seen in the area for 139 years! Other possible warbler species were eliminated thanks to the 13 photographs and several field observations provided by David. This is perhaps the fifth or sixth time in history that this warbler has been recorded, and only the second time in the field (others all netted).
Head naturalist, Sarath Champati, said “It’s such a proud moment for us! Well done David, you showed the true qualities of a naturalist.” To read about other interesting wildlife sightings at our Indian lodges, please click here.
Banjaar Tola Gives Back
The team at &Beyond Banjaar Tola Kanha Tented Camp has pledged to take 1 350 children from the neighbouring community’s 12 middle schools on Conservation Lessons in Kanha National Park. On a recent lesson, 50 learners were introduced to the wonders of the Indian jungle on an informative game drive with expert &Beyond naturalists. After an exciting drive, during which the group was lucky enough to see a tiger, the students returned to Banjaar Tola for a healthy snack followed by an eco-lesson with naturalist Alger. Thanks to the Banjaar Tola family for helping to make a meaningful difference.
Banjaar Tola Leaving a Light Footprint
There is much happening along the banks of the Banjaar River in Kanha National Park! Metal workers are welding, seamstresses are sewing, and our first tented suite will be ready to be photographed in mid-August. Hundreds of artisans are busy adding the final touches to the interiors. Bleached log tables, bastar metal work, hand-printed cloth and intricate stone carvings are all rolling out of workshops across central India. Naturalists have been on-site doing extensive training for the past six months and the Banjaar team will settle in within a few weeks’ time to immerse themselves completely in the Kahna experience.
The lodge has been designed with a light footprint so as to protect the surrounding riverine environment. The tented suites, which open onto private decks overlooking the river, are set on raised structures supported at only seven points on the ground, allowing natural growth and drainage under all of the buildings. This building methodology dramatically reduces the impact on the environment, compared to the conventional use of concrete and brick.
A responsible solution to cooling the tents will also be employed. Instead of electrical units, the tents are designed with double layers of canvas with insulation materials and air gaps to keep them cool. To warm the tents in winter, hot water destined for the bathrooms will be piped under the insulated bamboo floor. The environmentally-friendly air conditioning system uses a reversible cycle to efficiently deliver both cooling and heating.
Banjaar Tola has been designed to maximise the positive impacts on the local environment with a minimum ecological footprint, combined with the ultimate contemporary design.
For the love of bees…
In partnership with the Forest Department, the team at &Beyond Banjaar Tola Kanha Tented Camp has undertaken a project aimed at providing training to local “honey hunters” to educate them about eco-friendly ways to harvest honey. The traditional methods of collecting honey result in the destruction of wild rock bee colonies; however, with the help of Banjaar Tola naturalists, the hunters are learning how to collect high quality honey without harming the bees. The conservation of these bee colonies is important, as they are major pollinators in the wild.
