Green
Destination Certifications: A Commitment to Sustainable Tourism
The Green
Destination certifications, awarded for the first time, show
commitment to sustainable tourism. Pachmarhi was
evaluated on various aspects including business, culture, society, and nature.
This certification awarded Pachmarhi a 6.5 out of 10 on
its first evaluation, meaning it has the potential to balance improvement
in conservation and social services.
Madhya Pradesh’s Green Tourism Vision
Mr. Asheesh
Singh, IAS, the Commissioner of the Ujjain Division,
represented the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) during
this award ceremony that was held at the Blue Stage in Hall
7.1 of ITB Berlin. This achievement is the result of years
of planning and was part of the Adventure Tourism Division of Madhya
Pradesh. This certification was given to a tourism practice that resulted
from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Green
Destination India and MPTB. This MoU reflects the
commitment towards aligning sustainable practices in tourism.
Responsible Tourism Development in Pachmarhi
Pachmarhi is located in the Satpura
Biosphere Reserve and is known for its stunning scenery and clean
nature. While the area is home to many beautiful forested hills and waterfalls,
it also has colonial buildings and other historic sites. Nature and wildlife
attractions draw many visitors. The area has received its newest certification
and is increasingly focusing on destination management and
planning for eco-conscious tourism, which minimizes negative
impacts on the environment.
As part of the certification process, Pachmarhi’s sustainability practices in 75 criteria were evaluated across six themes. These themes included: destination management, nature and landscape saving, conservation of the environment, preservation of culture, social well-being, and responsible tourism. 40% of Pachmarhi’s compliance to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) was considered a significant baseline for the region to pilot additional sustainability practices.
The
certified tourism potential of Pachmarhi represents the
growing demand for eco-conscious tourism and responsible
tourism in the developing world. Community-based tourism
practices contribute to the social and economic well-being of
the community and promote sustainable hospitality practices. It
also allows visitors to experience the authentic culture of the community.
Pachmarhi has improved its waste
management systems and conservation-based tourism planning to
ensure their initiatives improve and maintain a balanced ecosystem. Investing
in climate-conscious policies, along with their ecosystem
investment, will help protect the wildlife and plants,
attracting travelers focused on environmental sustainability.
Travelers will appreciate the ecosystem conservation efforts
focused on sustainability.
Pachmarhi’s
Global Impact of Certification
Pachmarhi has begun to receive global
recognition for its certification. This recognition is the start of
marketing Pachmarhi on a global scale, providing tourists with
an emerging hill station to visit. The Green Destination Bronze
Certification is just the beginning, offering tourists the opportunity
to visit eco-friendly destinations. Additionally, eco-friendly
destinations will have the chance to compete in the Green Destination
Top 100 Sustainability Stories Awards to showcase innovative and creative
sustainability practices. These recognitions will increase tourism in Pachmarhi and
promote eco-friendly tourism. Other destinations in India will
be encouraged to adopt eco-friendly tourism practices and
compete with recognized destinations. This is the first step towards eco-friendly
practices and tourism in Indian destinations.
Madhya
Pradesh’s Vision for a Sustainable Future
The Madhya
Pradesh Tourism Board’s milestone achievement is part of a larger
vision for sustainability-driven tourism. The state is
developing safe tourism destinations focused on clean, green
tourism that emphasizes the preservation of organic and cultural
ecology. The state serves as a model for destinations looking for sustainable
development and practices of responsible tourism and environmental
conservation, as Pachmarhi is now on the global
sustainability map.
With this
recognition, Pachmarhi now sits among the leaders of sustainable
tourism in India. With the growing commitment to sustainability,
it is evident that Madhya Pradesh is at the forefront of
implementing a sustainable tourism model that creates enriched
experiences for people and the ecosystem.
For Madhya
Pradesh Tourism, this certification is just the beginning of a journey
toward developing world-class, sustainable destinations to
showcase responsible and eco-friendly travel that the global
traveler seeks.
