The people of Kumirmari, guardians of the Sundarban, need to create a cleaner and greener Sundarbans via eco-tourism and waste management to not only create a sustainable future for themselves in their native land but also to protect and help the natural advancement of this unique ecosystem. Pollution and climate change are endangering this UNESCO world heritage site and pushing the locals away from their homeland.
A little action on your part can help build the momentum which will Save the people, Save the mangroves, and Save the planet.
The Story
We all know and hear about Climate change and its ramifications. As city-dwellers we may not feel its immediate impact but the people of the Sundarban do. For decades, the people of Kumirmari have been living off the land and playing their part in protecting it. The Sundarban not only acts as their motherland but also sustains them bodily be it through supplying them with nourishment or products to sell. Due to sea level rise (SLR) caused by global warming, the Sundarban ecosystem is suffering. All the inhabitants of the ecosystem, from the flora and fauna to the people living here are in a precarious situation
With such odds stacked against them, they are forced to migrate to other states in search of a livelihood where they eke out a minimum wage that barely supports an individual let alone a family.
This is why they wish to begin a homegrown ecotourism model which will create a platform for engaging the entire community and financially securing their future for generations. With this model, members of this marginal community will be hosts and tourist guides, create and sell local products, harvest and sell Sundarban produce and meals, and much more.
This Community-owned model will showcase sustainable practices in the tourism sector- not only through the practices adopted by the locals but also through a waste management site which will generate even more opportunities for the community. They have been working towards the fruition of this project and have even received a small grant for it. However, the grant covers only a fraction of the cost for the foundation of the project and isn’t sufficient to scale the project up as is required in this instance.
NEWS has come forward to help the people of Kumirmari develop a community-based ecotourism model with a waste management strategy.
Local delicacies
Keeping in mind the community owned model of eco tourism, the local delicacies are also being entirely focused on the “Farm to Fork” model whereby right from producing the crops to processing them and getting them served to the guests are all managed by the local community. People of Kumirmari have been trained and handholded in various climate adaptive agriculture practices involving fishery, Backyard Poultry farming (BYPF), Natural farming techniques of agro crops and also in the skills of hotel management from Institute of Hotel & Restaurant Management (IHRM) Kolkata.
One can experience the true essence of local delicacies like tiger prawns, crabs, a variety of fishes like bhetki, parshe, dantne, payrachanda, farsha and country chicken (Desi Murgi) etc. served in the most hospitable manner. The quality of food and service being offered are the result of multiple training sessions by experts of the Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS) team.
Participation
Organic Farmers
0
Fishermen
0
Bee keepers
0
Poultry Farmers
0
The Hospitality
From well decorated rooms to properly maintained usables, the guests can expect top notch service and facilities. The experience of rural serenity merged with the comfort of modernity is the distinguishing feature of this eco tourism spot. To match the present day demand of standardized hospitality services, the staff are trained in management services and hospitality skills from Institute of Hotel & Restaurant Management (IHRM), Kolkata. From cooking delicacies to serving them in fancy ways, the team is always ready to provide the best experience. The guests will surely get the best guidance in any activity they choose to experience including biodiversity guides for nature walk and village tour.
Major Takeaways
Apart from hospitality and other management services, there are some other offerings which the guests can take away as unforgettable memories during their visit. Youths of Kumirmari formed eco clubs to take action in conserving the environment of Kumirmari. The youths are making models of Sundarban biodiversity out of waste plastics in order to recycle plastic waste. Models such as Batagur baska, mudskippers, scylla crab, hermit crab etc. cloth bags and handkerchiefs are a special attraction of the ecotourism which will be displayed in the stall for sale.
There are trained biodiversity guides among the youths who can show the vivid flora and fauna of Kumirmari to the guests.
